Superstorm Sandy victims who still have questions about the state's largest housing aid program attended a meeting this weekend on the issue.

Homes in Toms River damaged by Sandy
Homes in Toms River damaged by Sandy (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
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'Stop FEMA Now,' the grassroots citizens' group formed in response to complaints after the hurricane, met with several residents who have gone through the rebuilding process and discussed their issues, and expert professionalsl discussed how to navigate the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) grant program.

'Stop FEMA Now" plans to bring the homeowners‘ concerns to the state Department of Community Affairs and the governor’s office for “definitive written answers.“

The $1.1 billion RREM program offers up to $150,000 grants to help repair and elevate damaged homes. Tens of thousands of New Jersey houses were flooded, but the state recently reported that only 3,830 homeowners have signed grant agreements worth $486 million. Just $199 million has been distributed.

“Too many people still need help two years after Sandy,” said George Kasimos of Toms River, founder of Stop FEMA Now. “RREM has to be remedied!”

“There have been numerous applications and documents lost by the state, ridiculous requirements, long delays in processing, phone calls not returned for weeks and even months, misinformation, a lack of transparency, steering people into Pathway C which is being canceled, wrongful denials and even trying to recoup money after homeowners were approved and funded and after they moved out of their damaged homes and disconnected the utilities,” charged Kasimos.

“The Shore’s recovery has been bungled both by incompetent contractors hired and fired by the state, and by politicians and bureaucrats in the state government itself,” Kasimos pointed out.  He said his citizens’ organization has posted “countless complaints and horror stories” from residents online at Facebook.com/groups/StopFemaNowNJ.

The local group has grown into a national force which spurred Congress to pass the Homeowners Flood Insurance Affordability Act last spring, to control annual premium increases.

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