The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has announced the allocation of $34.47 million in grants from the Resilient Communities Program to ten local government entities. These funds aim to support public infrastructure projects that enhance resilience against current and future natural disasters. The Disaster Recovery and Mitigation Division of the DCA will manage these grants, which are sourced from federal Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds received by New Jersey from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to support Hurricane Ida recovery initiatives.
Governor Phil Murphy emphasized the state's vulnerability to destructive storms and flooding due to climate change. "A causa del cambio climático, Nueva Jersey es más vulnerable a las tormentas destructivas e inundaciones, por lo cual mi Administración viene tomando medidas para proteger mejor a las personas, propiedades e infraestructura de los efectos de los desastres naturales," he said. He expressed confidence that programs like the Resilient Communities Program would aid local governments in safeguarding neighborhoods and families from damage.
Interim DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez highlighted the need for proactive disaster preparedness in New Jersey communities based on past experiences with hurricanes like Ida and Sandy. "Basándonos en nuestro trabajo después de desastres naturales, como ha sido el caso de los huracanes Ida y Sandy, el DCA reconoce que las comunidades de Nueva Jersey deben prepararse de manera proactiva frente a futuros desastres, mediante el fortalecimiento de la infraestructura local," she stated. Suárez noted that these grants would help alleviate financial burdens for participating communities, ensuring more durable infrastructure for faster recovery during disasters.
Eligible municipalities, counties, special districts, and federally recognized tribal governments could apply for up to $5 million in grant funds based on their location within counties identified as most affected by Hurricane Ida. These include Bergen, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Union, and Warren. Applications were due by December 20, 2023.
Projects eligible for funding include elevating structures; constructing or reconstructing infrastructure; installing public works; structural modernization; infrastructure adaptation; property demolition; dry floodproofing; and property acquisition and relocation.
Grant determinations are provisional pending submission and approval of specific project outcomes. All projects must be completed within three years following the execution of a grant agreement with the DCA.
The Disaster Recovery and Mitigation Division aims to promote long-term resilience in New Jersey communities by supporting initiatives to strengthen housing, businesses, and infrastructure against severe weather events and flood damage. It also administers State Fiscal Recovery Fund (SFRF) grants under the American Rescue Plan Act allocated to New Jersey.
Beyond disaster recovery efforts, the DCA offers various programs including local government administration and finance management; affordable housing development; fire safety; building safety; community planning and development; historic preservation; and information privacy.
