Dozens of victims displaced by Hurricane Sandy have been told their FEMA temporary housing vouchers have expired. It means FEMA is no longer paying for their hotel rooms where they've been staying since November.
The word came this weekend to some of the 200 people who were bussed to three Wildwood hotels when their homes were damaged by the storm.
"I've lost all my furniture. All I have is what's here," said Brian Sotelo of Toms River.
Sotelo, along with this wife and three kids, spent his last day at The Days Inn packing up a moving truck heading to Jacksonville, Florida to stay with family. Sotelo says the family has no other choice since rental home prices in Toms River have skyrocketed.
"We can't afford to live here any more with everything that's going on." he said.
FEMA extended temporary housing benefits to more than 1,100 people in New Jersey. But dozens we spoke with say their vouchers expired on Friday. A spokesman could not tell us why some were extended and some were denied.
"I can't understand why we can't have just a little more time" said Brian Polhaumus of West Wildwood. His rental home also suffered major damage. Since he is unemployed he will now try to stay with friends or family, but nothing is definite.
The Wiegman family from Seaside Heights has been living out of a hotel room since November 6th. The family was one of the lucky ones since they received a housing extension for another two weeks.
"It's stressful, the nerves, all week long, scared, the insomnia, the worrying, the praying..wondering if we'll be living under the boardwalk" says Jackie Wiegman.
"Somebody has to help us in Wildwood. They forgot about us here. And that's sad" said Debbie Wiegman.
Although hotels won't get reimbursed by FEMA for those who do not have vouchers, owners of hotels like The Days Inn and The Bolero Resort say they'll be letting victims stay a few nights.
"They're pretty much desperate. Really I think they've forgotten them here" says Bolero Resort owner Wally Lerro.
A FEMA spokesman says transitional housing, like hotels are meant as an assistance program not a solution. They say help is available to victims to find more permanent housing at FEMA.gov.
Monday, May 20 2013 1:25 PM EDT2013-05-20 17:25:38 GMT
A text message that says "I'm about to leave" is the last time Janet Royer had contact with her son Thursday night. "It's like a nightmare, it's the worst nightmare anyone can think of. I keep thinking
A text message that says "I'm about to leave" is the last time Janet Royer had contact with her son Thursday night.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 8:31 PM EDT2013-05-15 00:31:38 GMT
Kermit Gosnell will spend the rest of his life in prison. The 72-year old abortion provider has waived his right to appeal the first-degree murder charge issued by a jury just one day ago.Dr. Kermit Gosnell
Kermit Gosnell will spend the rest of his life in prison. The 72-year old abortion provider has waived his right to appeal the first-degree murder charge issued by a jury just one day ago.
Monday, May 13 2013 7:03 AM EDT2013-05-13 11:03:57 GMT
It was a heartbreaking Mother's Day for the mom of a shooting victim gunned down on South Street as she travels to Philadelphia to identify the body of her son.
It was a heartbreaking Mother's Day for the mom of a shooting victim gunned down on South Street as she travels to Philadelphia to identify the body of her son.
Tuesday, April 16 2013 9:28 PM EDT2013-04-17 01:28:48 GMT
The shock of Monday's bombing at the Boston Marathon has turned to sadness and anger, but there is a new sense of community and patriotism among the people of Boston.
The shock of Monday's bombing at the Boston Marathon has turned to sadness and anger, but there is a new sense of community and patriotism among the people of Boston.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:49 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:49:33 GMT
You'll never believe who is dancing circles around these people. Meet the Allentown-area lady with the fancy footwork that leaves her disciples breathless!
You'll never believe who is dancing circles around these people. Meet the Allentown-area lady with the fancy footwork that leaves her disciples breathless!
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:13 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:13:58 GMT
Helmeted rescue workers raced Tuesday to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes, cleared lots and claimed 24 lives.
Helmeted rescue workers raced Tuesday to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes, cleared lots and claimed 24 lives.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:04 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:04:07 GMT
Bucks County EMT Bryan Elwell is heading out to Oklahoma to help assist overwhelmed emergency responders dealing with the deadly tornado aftermath in Moore, just outside Oklahoma City. He's prepared
Two local EMTs are headed to Oklahoma to help victims and crews dealing with the aftermath of a deadly tornado.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:08 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:08:36 GMT
Police in Lancaster say they've detained two men in an investigation prompted by a woman's call to 911 from the trunk of a car to report that she had been abducted by strangers.
Police in Lancaster say they've detained two men in an investigation prompted by a woman's call to 911 from the trunk of a car to report that she had been abducted by strangers.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:59 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:59:26 GMT
A man was critically injured Tuesday in New Castle by an explosion that happened while he opened an antique army ammunition box he picked up from his neighbors trash.
A man was critically injured Tuesday in New Castle by an explosion that happened while he opened an antique army ammunition box he picked up from his neighbors trash.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:01 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:01:25 GMT
Police sources say the two incidents now under investigation took place at Houston Hall, a student center and lecture hall, on Spruce Street in the heart of the University of Pennsylvania campus.
Police sources say the two incidents now under investigation took place at Houston Hall, a student center and lecture hall, on Spruce Street in the heart of the University of Pennsylvania campus.
A victim of Sandy prepares to move out of a hotel room in Wildwood, New Jersey.
