After Painstaking Sandy Repairs, Brick, N.J. Seniors Told To Raise Homes
BRICK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Some New Jersey seniors finally thought their troubles were over after Superstorm Sandy, but it seems like those troubles might just be beginning.
After taking years to complete repairs to their homes, some residents along the Jersey Shore have been told they may now have to raise them, CBS2's Elise Finch reported Monday.
Seaview Village in Brick Township is a quaint and quiet development for homeowners who are at least 55 years old. Ella Copelton, 74, said the flat terrain and ranch-style houses are part of the reason she bought a home in the development.
But Copelton was recently told she has to raise her home.
"It's a senior citizen development. Nobody can do stairs," she said. "We've got people here over 90. I mean, I'm young compared to these women."
Like most communities, Brick is part of the National Flood Insurance Program, and residents enjoy lower subsidized flood insurance rates in order to remain part of the program. The federal government requires any rebuilds where more than 50 percent of the home was destroyed to meet new flood standards.
For Copelton and a few of her neighbors who had substantial damage from Sandy, that means raising their homes – something they say just is not practical.
"I've been carpenter -- a union carpenter -- for 45 years, and I know what it takes to do this," said homeowner Joseph Kowalski. "They have to gut the whole house."
"There is nobody that's going to raise their house, because we don't have the money to do it on our own," said homeowner Steve Cavico. "And if we're not financed or given a grant from FEMA, it's not going happen."
One resident did raise her house, but people who spoke to CBS2 said it is not worth it. The average home price in Seaview Village is $150,000, and CBS2 is told it will cost nearly that much to raise a home there.
Brick Township Mayor John Ducey said there is a way to appeal.
"They bring they're receipts, and they show, 'This is what I paid for the sheetrock, this is what I paid for paint, this is what I paid for flooring; insulation.' And if it doesn't equal half the value off the home, they are now off the substantial damage list – and they're fine. There's no need to elevate," Ducey said.
Pressing health issues are keeping Copelton from appealing right now. But New Jersey officials have given homeowners another two years to complete the appeals process.
Twenty senior citizens in the development were targeted to raise their homes, but through the appeals process, 15 of them were able to leave their houses as they stand.