27:7-76. Additional payments to homeowners

a. In addition to payments otherwise authorized by this act, the agency shall make an additional payment, within limits as established by regulations of the commissioner, in accordance with federal standards, to any displaced person who is displaced from a dwelling actually owned and occupied by such displaced person for a period as established by regulations of the commissioner, in accordance with federal standards. Such additional payment shall include the following elements:

(1) The amount, if any, which when added to the acquisition cost of the dwelling acquired by the agency, equals the reasonable cost of a comparable replacement dwelling. Determinations required to carry out this paragraph shall be made pursuant to regulations of the commissioner, in accordance with federal standards.

(2) The amount, if any, which will compensate such displaced person for any increased interest costs and other debt service costs which such person is required to pay for financing the acquisition of any such comparable replacement dwelling. Such amount shall be paid only if the dwelling acquired by the agency was encumbered by a bona fide mortgage which was a valid lien on such dwelling for a period as established by regulations of the commissioner, in accordance with federal standards.

(3) Reasonable expenses incurred by such displaced person for evidence of title, recording fees, and other closing costs incident to the purchase of the replacement dwelling, but not including prepaid expenses.

b. The additional payment authorized by this section shall be made only to such a displaced person who purchases and occupies a replacement dwelling which is decent, safe, and sanitary, within one year after the date on which the person receives final payment from the displacing agency for the acquired dwelling or the date on which the displacing agency's obligation under section 8 of P.L. 1972, c. 47 (C. 27:7-79) is met, whichever is later, except that the displacing agency may extend the period for good cause. If the period is extended, the payment under this section shall be based on the costs of relocating the person to a comparable replacement dwelling within one year of the extended date.

L. 1972, c. 47, s. 5; amended 1989,c.50,s.4.