FEMA Jonas HMGP Grant Opportunity for Elevations

Ocean City, working directly with Avalon, Sea Isle City and Stone Harbor, is coordinating an effort to develop a FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) application for the elevation of residential properties in the NFIP Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). The HMGP program provides 75% funding for eligible elevation projects.  You are invited to participate in this opportunity, which is fully voluntary.

The first step to participate is to attend a meeting for interested property owners. Meetings are currently scheduled as follows:

Saturday, March 25, 2017– 10:00am: City Hall, 235 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Sea Isle City

Saturday, April 1, 2017 – 10:00am: Ocean City Free Public Library, 1735 Simpson Ave., Ocean City

Interested property owners are requested to register for these meetings by going to the following website and completing the short registration form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JonasHMGP

All information regarding this opportunity shall be maintained at the following website throughout the program:   http://www.capemaycountyhmp.com/Pages/2017-Jonas-Grant-Program.aspx

Property owners who wish to participate in this program are required to provide the following (forms available on the Jonas Grant Program website noted above):

  • Affidavit (notary required) *
  • Notice of Voluntary Interest *
  • FEMA Model Acknowledgement of Conditions (notary required) *
  • FEMA Declaration and Release Form *
  • Elevation Cost Estimate
  • Four pictures of property taken from each side
  • Proof of current flood insurance (if available)
  • NFIP Elevation Certificate (if available)

* The names and signatures of ALL owners on the current property deed are required on this form.  

At the meeting(s) scheduled you will receive information regarding this grant opportunity and steps moving forward to further develop the FEMA grant application.

Property owners need to be aware of the following conditions associated with this grant program:

  • This is a reimbursement program, thus property owners will be responsible for covering costs and then applying for reimbursement once the project is completed.   The County is currently working with several local lending institutions that may be able to provide “bridge loans” for mitigation projects.
  • All property owners will be responsible for the 25% “local share” of their mitigation project.
  • Properties mitigated using Federal mitigation grant funding are required to maintain NFIP flood insurance on the property in perpetuity.   This flood insurance requirement becomes part of the property deed.

All recorded Substantial Repetitive Loss and Repetitive Loss Properties will be considered for funding first however all homeowners are encouraged to apply for funding if they wish to have their home elevated.  Grant funding will be offered to homeowners based on the number of applications received. 

Jonas HMGP – Property Owner Workshops Presentation