Seaside Park May Participate in Program to Help Fund Residents’ House Raising

Flooding in Seaside Park, Nov. 26, 2018. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

Seaside Park is planning to participate in the federal government’s Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program, which is run through FEMA and may be used to reimburse significant portions of the cost of raising homes to comply with the latest flood elevation standards.

The council, last week, approved a contract with RVE Engineering to provide the preparation of applications for the program, which will be available to residents if Seaside Park is approved to participate. The firm’s bill of $18,500 is eligible for its own 75 percent reimbursement, which would result in the borough paying just $4,625 to complete all of the studies and paperwork required.

If approved, the Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program would be available to residents seeking to lift their homes. FEMA would pay 75 percent of the cost for the design and construction cost of raising private homes, Council President Marty Wilk said, and up to 90 percent reimbursement for repetitively flooded properties.

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“The homeowners would have to put the money up front, and it is competitive,” said Wilk. “All homeowners aren’t guaranteed to be approved – they have to put in the paperwork, and if approved they can go ahead and proceed.”

The program is funded through 2025, meaning that after approval town-wide, residents could begin submitting their own applications. Borough Administrator Karen Kroon said that assuming the borough receives the go-ahead to offer the program, staff will publicize it to residents. As an added benefit, the more homeowners who participate would likely lead to reduced rates under FEMA’s Community Rating System, which helps calculate flood risk on a per-town level.

“The more homes in Seaside Park that become compliant, the better our CRS rating is, which can potentially bring down flood premiums for all homeowners,” said Kroon.

The program is open to towns nationwide, but must first be “enabled” through and application and permitting process like the one Seaside Park is currently undertaking.

“It’s a small cost but a big return,” said Councilman Jerry Rotonda.

“We’ve had several residents, through our code office, inquire as to whether we’re participating in this,” said Kroon.

The contract was awarded to RVE unanimously by the council.