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TOMS RIVER - The Ocean County Board of Commissioners will distribute more than $2.6 million in federal Housing and Urban Development Funds to programs and services that will help residents with their housing needs and invest in public service projects.
"Ocean County has been participating in the Community Development Block Grant Program since 1984," said Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Barbara Jo Crea, who is liaison to the program. "These funds have allowed us to assist our municipalities and to help our low and moderate income residents in a variety of beneficial ways.
"The CDBG funds totaling nearly $1.4 million will be used for housing rehabilitation, municipal and public service projects,' Crea said.
She noted that $660,000 of the 2024 funding allocation is earmarked for projects including street, sidewalk and curb improvements, improving handicap accessibility and also public facilities improvements and housing rehabilitation.
"For example, we are providing Ocean Township with $40,000 for drainage improvements on Baltic Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach will receive $40,000 for handicapped accessibility improvements at Inlet Drive and Beachwood is receiving $40,000 for its housing rehabilitation program," Crea said. "There are 14 municipalities receiving CDBG funds this year along with 12 non-profits."
She noted that only 14 of the County's 33 municipalities will receive funds this year because the appropriations are on a two-year cycle. In addition, Brick, Toms River and Lakewood townships all receive separate funding. Jackson Township also receives separate funding that is administered through Ocean County.
Ocean County anticipates receiving $1,314,756 under the federal HOME Program which provides funding for the first time homebuyer program, housing rehabilitation, affordable rental units with Community Housing Development Organizations and tenant based rental assistance.
"The success of these programs is immeasurable," Crea said.
For instance, with funds from the First Time Homebuyer's Program, 588 families have received down payment and closing cost assistance for purchase of a home under the County's First Time Homebuyer's Program.
"Helping a family get their first home, providing them with a secure roof over their heads, is invaluable," Crea said. "This program also provides the first time homebuyer with valuable educational tools during this process to help with budgeting, credit and other financial information that will help with making homeownership successful."
The County is allocating $200,000 from the HUD money for the first time homebuyer program this year and expects to help about 13 individuals or families gain their first home.
Crea also noted that with the funds allocated for the Housing Rehabilitation Program, more than 1,000 housing units have been rehabilitated.
"This is a very big help for low and moderate income families, especially during a time when other costs like food and transportation fares and utilities continue to increase," she said. "Home repairs can be costly. This helps."
The county will use $180,000 of the funds for housing rehabilitation.
In addition, $303,000 is allocated for development of affordable rental housing units in conjunction with Community Housing Development Organizations.
Since 1992, the County has allocated more than $9.6 million in HOME Investment Partnership funding to Community Housing Development Organizations for the production of affordable rental housing in Ocean County.
The Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program, which has helped 968 families with rent subsidies will receive $500,000.
"These funds, allocated by the Board of Commissioners, have made a significant difference in the lives of many families and individuals living in Ocean County," Crea said.
The funding was reviewed by the Board during its July 31 preboard meeting and again during a public hearing held Aug. 7.
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