Napolitano and Christie talk temporary housing for those left homeless by Sandy in N.J.

For the second time in as many years, Gov. Chris Christie took U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano on a tour of hurricane damage in New Jersey. Napolitano says the state is facing a housing crisis in the wake of Sandy.Much of the total destruction happened on the barrier islands. While some of the homes wiped out were vacation homes, there are many people who live on the shore year-round who’ve lost everything.

Secretary Napolitano said FEMA is heading up the effort to get them into temporary housing.

“We’re looking for apartments; we’re looking for hotel rooms that we will pay for in the immediate aftermath of the disaster as we then work with each household on what their ultimate housing solution is going to be,” said Napolitano.

She said the agency is still figuring out just how much of New Jersey’s housing stock was lost to the storm, and how much can be repaired.

Gov. Christie said FEMA will take the lead in reaching out to offer temporary housing.

“Then they will go shelter to shelter and talk to folks about what types of temporary housing that’s available that best suits them,” said Christie.  “The state will work in conjuction with FEMA, going from place to place assessing the volume of need and we are going to work with them on the various types of housing available.”