Be It Enacted by the Senate and the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. In addition to the amounts appropriated under P.L.2020, c.97, there is appropriated out of the General Fund the following sum for the purpose specified:
|
22 DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS 50 Economic Planning, Development, and Security 55 Social Services Programs Grants-in-Aid |
||
|
05-8050 Community Resources ...................................................... |
$5,000,000 |
|
|
Total Grants-in-Aid Appropriation, |
$5,000,000 |
|
|
Social Services Programs .................. |
||
|
Grants-in-Aid: |
|
|
|
($5,000,000) |
|
|
The amounts hereinabove appropriated for the NJSHARES - S.M.A.R.T. Program shall be awarded by the Commissioner of Community Affairs to homeowners and tenants of residential property throughout the State who suffered financial loss during the pendency of the Governor’s declaration of a Public Health Emergency under the “Emergency Health Powers Act,” P.L.2005, c.222 (C.26:13-1 et seq.), and of a State of Emergency under P.L.1942, c. 251 (C.App.A.9-33 et seq.), in relation to the coronavirus disease 2019. The $5 million appropriated herein shall be appropriated from the Universal Service Fund for utility payment assistance. The Commissioner of Community Affairs shall design and establish program criteria and guidelines consistent with this act which the Commissioner of Community Affairs deems necessary and appropriate to award grants to eligible homeowners and tenants in an expeditious manner so to enable eligible homeowners and tenants to comply with their utilities obligations. The Commissioner of Community Affairs may implement this program through the award of contracts, or through the delegation of its authority to award grants, to private nonprofit organizations, public agencies, or both. To be eligible for a grant under this program, a homeowner or tenant shall not be eligible for, or a recipient of funding from, private insurance or from any other available funding opportunity which may be considered a duplication of benefits.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Approved November 18, 2020.