Speaking as the legislative representatives of one of the hardest hit areas by Superstorm Sandy, Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove praised the enactment of legislation that will provide assistance to Sandy victims still involved in the recovery and rebuilding process.

Aerial view during an Army search and rescue mission shows damage from Superstorm Sandy to the New Jersey coast, Oct. 30, 2012. (U.S. Air Force/Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen)

Under the recently enacted law, applicants of Sandy assistance programs will be provided with a personal timeline establishing a general estimation of when an applicant can expect to receive assistance. This would apply to the applicants seeking funding from the Low- and Moderate-Income Program (LMI), in addition to the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation Program (RREM) and Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program (TBRA), and the Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency.

Quarterly goals for distributing Superstorm Sandy aid will be established under the newly enacted law. In addition, the state is now required to develop and maintain an Internet website or webpage providing information concerning recovery and rebuilding programs.

Connors, Rumpf and Gove made the following remark subsequent to the signing of the Sandy reform measure (S-2825/A-4316):

“Superstorm Sandy hit our state with catastrophic strength, the likes of which most residents had never witnessed in their lifetimes. In the aftermath, an incredibly difficult and complex task was left to government at all levels as thousands of residents and business owners were left in desperate need of assistance.

“Rebuilding our communities has been a long and arduous process due to a number of factors, including the sheer extent of the catastrophic damage, insufficient number of contractors and, of course, rigid federal regulations tied to the distribution of Sandy funds. Consequently, nearly three years later there are those who are still not back in their homes. This, of course, is unacceptable.

“Our delegation supported the recently enacted Sandy reform measure in light of the corrective action that will be taken to address information gaps that exist for Sandy victims who have endured extreme hardships and, regretfully, are still working through the application process. Under provisions of the new law, a more consistent and responsive line of communication will be established for applicants with the ultimate goal of completing the state’s ongoing recovery process. New Jersey will not have recovered completely from Sandy and our communities will not be made whole until those who have been displaced are home again.”