Residents of Ocean Gate working to restore their Sandy-damaged homes are about to get a little help with those massive bills. 

Damage in Ocean Gate from Sandy
Damage in Ocean Gate from Sandy (YouTube)
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A special grant from the Robin Hood Foundation is being made available, thanks largely to the work of Mayor Paul Kennedy, who has been trying to get the ball rolling in the days after the October superstorm.

 

After months of discussion, the grant in the amount of $300,000 will help pay the expenses;  things like hot water heaters, furnaces, insulation, electrical wiring, sheet rock, flooring etc.  Homeowners in need would have to apply with the non-profit Hometown Heroes and meet specific requirements.  Mayor Kennedy says "there are still hundreds who haven't been able to return home in the borough. After watching the 12-12-12 concert, I felt I had to do something so I made some calls and sent some e-mails.  That work is paying off."

Once the application is made and the homeowner qualifies , Hometown Heroes will pay the contractors directly for work performed. For some applicants it may be utility bills, for others it may clothing. There are many different areas that are applicable but the main priority is to get people back into their homes. No money will be given directly to any homeowners to prevent possible fraud. The grant funds are only available to homeowners primary home. No secondary or vacation homes qualify.

For more information, log on to njhometownheroes.org or call 732-473-9400.

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