Homeowners to see Sandy Relief Delay

Long Branch, N.J. —

Governor Christie says the $900 million dollars from HUD in Washington earmarked to help homeowners rebuild does have some strings attached which may mean work won't start until July.

"Every time a home needs to be rebuilt, renovated, or elevated there has to be approval from both the DEP and EPA because you are using Federal money," Christie said.

Under the HUD program homeowners can get up to $150,000 in a direct grant that will be paid out by the state to pre-cleared contractors.

Christie says a half billion dollars from the HUD package for small businesses won't be subject to the same environmental reviews and that the state should be ready to receive applications as early as next month through the state's Economic Development Authority.

Christie says 96 percent of the post Sandy Federal flood insurance claims have been resolved.