VILLAS — The state Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is offering up to $30,000 per eligible residence to raise primary, single-family residences to meet the requirements of the flood insurance risk map.
A public meeting with representatives of the program will be held Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. at Lower Township Hall, 2600 Bayshore Rd., Villas.
Residents may register at the meeting or can pre-register for the program by accessing the township’s website: www.townshipoflower.org. Click on the box marked “New Jersey HMGP Elevation Program.”
Registration takes approximately 15 minutes online.
Homeowners must register by Sept. 15. The program is open only to full time residents, not second home owners.
Lower Township Mayor Michael Beck said the state program addresses just one aspect of flooding.
“This has to do strictly with raising homes in areas prone to flooding,” he said.
To be eligible for the state program, a home must be below the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Base Flood Elevation (BFE). Revised maps were released Aug. 27. The maps are available online: www.region2coastal.com
Elevation maps will also be on display at the Sept. 9 meeting.
Homeowners with dwellings below Base Flood Elevation will pay significantly higher flood insurance premiums than those above the BFE, said Beck.
“This helps some residents by giving them money to help raise their house and therefore see significantly less costly flood insurance,” he said. “My advice is if you have issues, register and come to the town hall meeting and find out if your home is eligible.”
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