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Freeholder Forum
Ocean County Block Grants Help Towns And Families
by Freeholder Gerry P. Little
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OCEAN COUNTY - Since it first got underway in 1995, hundreds of Ocean County residents have taken advantage of the county's First Time Homebuyer Program, which increases the opportunity for homeownership for low and moderate income residents.
"We expect to provide at least 22 families in Ocean County with this opportunity again this year, bringing the total number of people who have received assistance so they can buy their first home to more than 300," said Freeholder Gerry P. Little, who serves as liaison to the program. "We know how important this program is and how it truly has helped our residents in achieving the dream of homeownership."
Under the program, applicants who meet the eligibility criteria receive down payment assistance for the purchase of a home.
"The down payment is often the stumbling block in getting someone into their first home," Little said. "This program has made the difference for hundreds of individuals and families in Ocean County, and we are very pleased with the results."
Ocean County expects to provide $220,000 to continue the program this year. The money is part of the county's annual federal Community Development Block Grant and Home Funds. The county expects to receive $1,256,000 in home funds, which also will be used to fund the county's Housing Rehabilitation Program, Affordable Rental Units and Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program.
"Annually, Ocean County administers these federal dollars with the sole purpose of providing residents with the opportunity to buy their first home, to repair the one they are currently in or to assist with rent subsidies," Little said. "These programs make a significantdifference in the lives of many of our low and moderate income families."
In order to receive the annual funding along with $1,383,405 in Community Development Block Grants, the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders conducted a public hearing at its meeting prior to sending its application into the federal government.
"These funds are a big help to our communities and our residents," said Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari. "The CDBG funds also are used for housing rehabilitation along with municipal and public service projects."
Of the total CDBG funds for 2008, $579,370 will be allocated for projects such as handicap accessibility, senior centers, parks and recreational facilities, street/sidewalk/curb improvements, public facility improvements, flood drainage improvements, economic development improvements and housing rehabilitation.
In addition, $203,000 will be provided for public service activities such as transportation services, counseling and day care centers, domestic violence and youth runaway centers, visiting homecare services and senior services.
The county received a total of 27 applications for 2008 CDBG funding.
Four municipalities receive separate CDBG entitlements. They are Brick Township, which is expected to receive $352,684; Toms River Township, $449,541; Lakewood, $776,320; and Jackson Township, $197,978.
"Since the program began in 1984, a total of 495 municipal projects have been completed, 124 of which were public service projects," Little said.
Little noted that the county expects to allocate about $250,000 from the federal funding Home Housing Rehabilitation Program, which has already resulted in providing repairs to 175 housing units. About $200,000 will be allocated for affordable rental units through community housing development organizations, which has already helped to develop or rehabilitate 35 single-family homes.
In addition, $465,000 will be used for the Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program, which has provided 553 families with rent subsidies with the average rental subsidy totaling $693 a month for a 24-month period.
"We work in partnership with our municipalities, non-profit agencies and other organizations to make certain this money brings the most benefits to our residents," Little said.
The municipal and public service projects are Barnegat, handicap access, Municipal Building, $50,000; Beach Haven, handicap access, Bayfront, $35,000; Beachwood, rehabilitation single unit residential, $55,000; Berkeley Township, roadway and drainage improvements, $55,000; Harvey Cedars, handicap accessible improvements, $12,000; Island Heights, handicap access for municipal building, $50,000; Lacey Township, side street paving on Wilbert Avenue, $40,000; Ocean Township, sidewalks on Main Street, $55,000.
And, Pine Beach, handicap access municipal building, $27,370; Plumstead Township, Volunteer Park, $55,000; Point Pleasant Beach, curb improvements, Ocean Avenue, $55,000; Surf City, paving various beach street entrances, $35,000; Tuckerton, sidewalks and curb replacements at Maple, Bartlett and Western avenues, $55,000; Jackson Township, various roadway improvements, $160,000.
Also, Ocean Harbor House, for abused and neglected children, salaries and operational costs, $13,000; Providence House, battered and abused spouses, salaries for 24-hour emergency hotline, $11,000; Interfaith Hospitality Network, temporary shelter/working homeless families, salaries and operating costs, $7,500; Hands For All, urgent housing rehabilitation, salaries, administrative expenses and materials, $19,000; Ocean County Hunger Relief, food distribution and referral emergency food services, $5,000.
And, O.C.E.A.N., Inc., Comprehensive Residential Rehabilitation Weatherization Program, $11,000; New Jersey Institute for Disabilities, handicapped services, $5,000; FoodBank of Monmouth & Ocean, delivery of emergency food salary for driver, $14,000; Contact of Ocean County, 24- Hour Crisis Hotline, salaries, $10,000; Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey, assist elderly, disabled and homebound, salaries and operating costs, $7,500; Long Beach Island Community Center, counseling, child care services, salaries and operating costs, $54,000; Stafford Township, municipal transportation services salaries, bus service, $40,000; Stafford Township Interfaith Health & Support Services, assist elderly, disabled and homebound, salaries, $6,000.
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