Neighbor News
Application Period Open for Sandy Foreclosure Protections
The new program allows Superstorm Sandy-impacted homeowners to apply for mortgage forbearance
Assembly Members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey announced this week the opening of an application period for Superstorm Sandy-impacted homeowners who are facing significant financial burdens or threat of foreclosure. A new mortgage forbearance program, run through the state Department of Community Affairs, aims to protect residents against foreclosure. The program was enacted as part of a new law sponsored by Houghtaling and Downey.
“Juggling rebuilding expenses, as well as a mortgage and rising property taxes can put residents in dire financial straits. I saw that for myself as Mayor of Neptune in the aftermath of Sandy,” said Houghtaling (D-Monmouth), “Our aim with this law was to keep residents in their homes, in their communities, and this program will help make that a reality.”
“Rebuilding after Sandy has been a huge undertaking, but we believe no resident should lose their home due to forces out of their control,” said Downey (D-Monmouth), “Delaying mortgage payments will help impacted homeowners find solid financial footing, and keep them in the communities they care about.”
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Applications for a Sandy-Impacted Forbearance Certification are open on the Department of Community Affairs’ website; the application period ends at 5:00PM on May 31, 2017. The application must be completed online. Residents may be eligible for the forbearance certification if they:
- Have an outstanding mortgage obligation on their primary residence, which has been damaged by Superstorm Sandy;
- Have been approved for assistance through the RREM or LMI programs or have received rental assistance from FEMA; and
- Have construction or elevation work that remains to be done on the primary residence, which is the result of damage sustained in Superstorm Sandy.
Sandy-impacted homeowners who believe they are eligible for forbearance can visit http://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/sandyrecovery/forebearancecert.html, or can contact the Office of Houghtaling & Downey at (732) 695-3371 for assistance completing an application.
