U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-8), who for years has been consistently fighting for New Jersey's fair share of federal disaster aid, proudly applauded today's announcement that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)  awarded $15,598,506 to the State of New Jersey. At least 80 percent of the funding form HUD's Community Development Block (CDBG) program will assist Passaic County to recover from the severe impacts of Hurricane Irene.

"Passaic County saw historic flooding and severe weather last year, but it certainly was not the first time our residents have faced these challenges. I am grateful for that the federal response to our affected people and communities didn't end with President Obama's visit to Paterson and a couple other towns last summer," said U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), a co-chair of the Congressional Hurricane Irene Coalition.

"This $12.5 million in CDBG money will help get residents out of harm's way on put them on a path toward living without disruptive and dangerous flooding. It will also help communities restore public facilities and properties damaged by last year's storms and flooding. All of this news is coming at a good time as New Jersey communities continue to recover from last year's damage, while trying to anticipate what could happen in the year ahead. No matter what happens, New Jersey residents can count on me to fight for every dollar of federal disaster aid we need."

These CDBG Disaster Recovery funds can be used for recovery efforts involving housing, economic development, infrastructure and prevention of further damage to affected areas, if such use does not duplicate funding available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Small Business Administration, and the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Examples of these activities include:
1. buying damaged properties in a flood plain and relocating residents to safer areas;

2. relocation payments for people and businesses displaced by the disaster;

3. debris removal not covered by FEMA;

4. rehabilitation of homes and buildings damaged by the disaster;

5. buying, constructing, or rehabilitating public facilities such as streets, neighborhood centers, and water, sewer and drainage systems;

6. code enforcement;

7. homeownership activities such as down payment assistance, interest rate subsidies and loan guarantees for disaster victims;

8. public services (generally limited to no more than 15 percent of the grant);

9. helping businesses retain or create jobs in disaster impacted areas; and

10. planning and administration costs (limited to no more than 20 percent of the grant).

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