Starting May 1, Sandy-surviving homeowners looking for help in New Jersey's Housing Recovery Centers (HRC) will have two fullly operating options, Freehold and Newark. Satellite offices will continue in Toms River and Atlantic City.

BAY HEAD, NJ - NOVEMBER 14: A worker climbs over piles of sand cleared from a road in front of a house by the beach on November 14, 2012 in Bay Head, New Jersey. Many residents of the hard hit seaside town remain without power following Superstorm Sandy. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
BAY HEAD, NJ - NOVEMBER 14: A worker climbs over piles of sand cleared from a road in front of a house by the beach on November 14, 2012 in Bay Head, New Jersey. Many residents of the hard hit seaside town remain without power following Superstorm Sandy. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
loading...

The Christie administration announced the consolidation move Friday, saying that it would let the state Department of Community Affairs (DCA) focus increased resources on project construction and completion, which it said are the primary needs of homeowners in the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) Program and the LMI Homeowners Rebuilding Program.

The Freehold office is 3 Paragon Way, Suite 150. The Newark office is 2 Gateway, 9th Floor. Both are open Monday through Friday, 9 AM unitl 6 PM. No information was given regarding the placement of offices in Toms River or Atlantic City.

State officials said that 99 percent of the homeowners in RREM have signed agreements and fewer than 50 LMI homeowners remain without them, and they anticipate that 99 percent of all homeowners will have entered construction phases by May 1.

Housing advisors situated in Freehold and Newark will be reachable in person and by phone. Advisors will occupy "meeting locations" in Toms River and Atlantic City for individuals unable to drive to Monmouth or Essex Counties, for as-needed consultations. If necessary, advisors will arrange to visit homes, officials said.

DCA's long-running Housing Recovery Information Sessions for RREM and LMI subscribers will continue in hard-hit areas including Ocean and Atlantic Counties.

Homeowners with recovery questions beyond the scope of project managers and housing advisors can reach DCA's Sandy Constituent Office, sandy.recovery@dca.nj.gov, or 609-292-3750/609-633-1328.

DCA's Sandy Recovery Housing Counselor program offers free advisory services for Sandy-damaged homeowners and renters in Monmouth, Ocean, and seven other primary-impact counties.

More From 92.7 WOBM