N.J. second homeowners in limbo a year after Sandy

    Nearly a year after Superstorm Sandy, second homeowners are finding themselves out of luck.

    People who own vacation homes aren’t eligible for most of the billions of dollars in federal aid that are going to primary homeowners.

     

     

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    Second homeowners can’t access relief options including FEMA rebuilding assistance, $1.8 billion in HUD rebuilding funds or low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration.

    Now many second homeowners find themselves in limbo. Insurance payouts don’t cover the cost of rebuilding or demolishing homes. Most people still have mortgages to pay.

    Many second homeowners are blue-collar workers who scrimped and saved to buy a home.

    Even with an insurance payout, Benita Kiernan and her husband say they can’t afford to rebuild their Stafford Township or knock it down.

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