Housing Mitigation Fund Program

How it works

The Housing Mitigation Fund Program provides interest-free repayable funding to eligible applicants for mitigation activities that address hazards such as flooding, severe weather, and extreme temperatures. Program funds that are disbursed must be repaid when the home changes ownership. The program uses federal Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funding administered by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs on behalf of the state.

What the money covers

The program has two pathways:

• Pathway 1: Hazard Reduction and Prevention. This pathway can award up to $100,000 for construction activities to mitigate primary residential housing structures against future disaster events, as described in the program’s mitigation needs assessment.
• The official factsheet says funds can be used for qualifying activities that reduce future risk to the home, or, if the threat is great enough, full reconstruction.

Amounts and repayment

• Funding is interest-free.
• Disbursed program funds must be repaid upon transfer of ownership of the home.
• The factsheet and program page indicate a fixed-price process may apply, and any costs above the program’s fixed price must be paid by the homeowner before program funds are disbursed.

How to apply

The official page says the program is open and has an “Apply Now” link.

Timing and deadlines

• The page states the program is now accepting applications.
• The sources reviewed do not state a closing date.

Documentation mentioned by the state factsheet

• State- or federally issued ID
• Proof of ownership and residency
• Proof of income (Form 1040 tax return)
• A proposal for program-eligible mitigation work from a licensed contractor
• Photos of the proposed jobsite