Federal officials have revised policies that were keeping some New Jerseyans affected by Superstorm Sandy from receiving funds they were promised.
Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. announced Tuesday that the Housing and Urban Development Department had agreed to amend its rules. Pallone sought the changes earlier this month.
After Sandy hit in October, many homeowners were told they could begin rebuilding their residences and would be reimbursed the money they spent.
But some homeowners’ requests were rejected due to a HUD regulation mandating environmental reviews for homes that sustained damage in excess of 50 percent of the property’s value.
The new policy still mandates that environmental reviews be completed. But HUD will no longer require that the reviews had to have been started before homeowners spent money on rebuilding.