Sandy victims protest pace of rebuilding aid programs

Homeowners frustrated at the slow pace of recovery from Superstorm Sandy are protesting outside the New Jersey Statehouse.

As the third summer following the 2012 storm nears, the grassroots group Stop FEMA on Thursday is demanding officials help them get their homes back. They are unhappy with what they say is the slow pace of rebuilding aid that the state government has thus far distributed.

Homeowners say they are frustrated by bureaucracy from the state and federal governments, long wait times for necessary approvals and uncertainty about what aid they can expect and when they can expect it.

The state’s Community Affairs Department says 8,935 homeowners have received preliminary approval for rebuilding grants, and the state has completed grant signings with nearly 6,800.