Speed Delivers Long Term Recovery Group Report to Freeholders

CREST HAVEN – Three months after Hurricane (or Superstorm) Sandy walloped the coastline, Cape May County Long Term Recovery Group (LTRG) held its initial meeting. Its work done by 287 volunteers and 9,600 hours, aided by 24 partner organizations has ended.
Greg Speed, chairman, gave freeholders a report on the organization Dec. 8.
While its work may not have made headlines, many were helped.
They were victims who had experienced economic hardship, isolation, or who had trouble accessing service, or who needed aid to maintain or obtain safe, sanitary and secure housing, both tenants and landlords of four units or less.
The group’s initial meeting was Jan. 13, 2013. At the time, Barry Keefe and Marilyn Hughes were co-chairs. They oversaw formation of subcommittees. For the next two years, the group met bi-monthly until September 2015. Weekly subcommittee meetings were also held to ensure work was getting done.
Speed listed as accomplishments:
Helped 73 find temporary shelter then transition into more stable housing, with assistance from New Jersey Department of Human Services. Partners in that action included N.J. Hope and Healing, the county departments of Social Services and Aging and Disability Services.
Secured $903,000 in grants from United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund, $95,000; Robin Hood Foundation, $305,000; American Red Cross, $338,000; Hurricane Sandy N.J. Relief Fund, $150,000; Church World Service and United Church of Christ, $15,000.
The group also held community presentation regarding legal issues, mold fraud, trauma, and community resiliency.
Case-conferenced about 150 cases, secured resources instead of, or in addition to, LTRG unmet needs dollars.
Vetted 74 cases for unmet needs assistance.
Funded 54 cases with LTRG resources.
In area of client aid, 40 households had various construction projects from $3,000 to $35,000 per case.
Eight of those were assisted through partnerships with “A Future With Hope.”
Unmet needs of 24 households included purchasing of hearing aids, chair lifts, furniture and appliances.
Thirteen of the 24 households received rental assistance, a total of 69 months.
Ten of the 24 households got construction assistance.
By municipality, Ocean City and Wildwoods received the largest amounts with 35 percent and 31 percent, respectively; Middle and Lower townships received 20 and 10 percent respectively. Woodbine accounted for 4 percent.
Other those aided, 90 percent were low income, 10 percent were moderate income.
Speed told freeholders there were some lessons learned from the work:
Multiple funding streams and policy changes made initial work difficult.
Communication was the key to keeping the partnerships working smoothly. Weekly meeting were deemed “very important” in keeping the community in the know.
Compassionate and efficient staff were critical for managing the process. Dealing with emotional trauma of the disaster was often as challenging as the construction process, Speed noted.
Those who have still not fully recovered should contact NJ 211 for aid.
Persons over age 60 or disabled should contact Superstorm Sandy B.G. Home Repair and Advocacy program.
Should other help be needed, he referred persons to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Camden or the Salvation Army.