FEMA Renovating More Ft. Monmouth Apartments for Displaced Sandy Families

FEMA is working on renovating more apartments for families displaced by Hurricane Sandy to Fort Monmouth.

Robin Smith, of FEMA Media Relations, said 70 apartments are currently being fixed up so they can be used by the families.

There are 28 1-bedroom apartments, 18 3-bedroom apartments and 24 4-bedroom apartments currently being renovated, Smith said. Most of these apartments will be located in the Fort Monmouth lodge area of Oceanport.

FEMA has already completed renovations on 30 1-bedroom and 15 3-bedroom apartments in the McGill Commons area of Fort Monmouth.

Smith said 42 families have already moved into these apartments and the remaining three families are scheduled to move in "over the next few days."

State Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon recetly said one of FEMA's main criteria for relocating displaced residents is proximity to their homes. That would mean that those in Oceanport and the surrounding towns such as Monmouth Beach, Sea Bright and the Bayshore area could likely find a temporary spot at the fort.

In addition to the housing at Fort Monmouth, FEMA has other housing available for displaced families.

Smith said FEMA lists available units at www.fema.gov/housingportal and that available rentals are also listed at www.socialserve.com where interested parties can select the "New Jersey" link to perform a search.