58:12A-22.3 NJHMFA loans to homeowners.

3. a. Of the amount appropriated to the Water Supply Remediation sub-account pursuant to section 6 of P.L.1991, c.456, $3,500,000 is allocated to the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency established pursuant to P.L.1983, c.530 (C.55:14K-1 et seq.) and dedicated for the purposes of providing zero interest loans to owners of single family residences, whose source of potable water violates primary drinking water standards, or violates a standard for sodium, chloride, lead, mercury, iron, or manganese established by the department pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1991, c.456 (C.58:12A-22.4), to provide an interim or permanent alternative potable water supply or adequate and appropriate treatment technology. The purposes for which a loan may be issued pursuant to this section include, but are not necessarily limited to: (1) replacing the contaminated well with a new well or an interim or permanent alternative potable water supply, and sealing the contaminated well, (2) deepening, encasing, or otherwise modifying the contaminated well to prevent contamination, or (3) purchasing adequate and appropriate water treatment technology or equipment to render the water drawn from the contaminated well potable. For the purposes of qualifying for a loan pursuant to this section, the cause or source of contamination of the potable water shall not be relevant.

b. The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency shall establish, within 120 days of the date of enactment of P.L.1999, c.266, a program to provide the loans authorized pursuant to this section, which shall include, but need not be limited to, funding priorities based on the priority system developed by the Department of Environmental Protection pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1991, c.456 (C.58:12A-22.4). The loans issued pursuant to this section shall bear zero interest and shall be for a term of not more than 10 years. The maximum amount for any single loan shall be $10,000. Loan applicants shall provide certification from the Department of Environmental Protection or from a municipal or regional health agency certified pursuant to section 15 of P.L.1977, c.443 (C.26:3A2-33) of the contamination or the threat of contamination when applying for loans on forms prescribed by the agency. Any loan issued pursuant to this section shall be secured and the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency may assess a loan servicing fee on each loan not to exceed one percent per year on the balance of the loan.

Notwithstanding any provision of P.L.1991, c.456 (C.58:12A-22.2 et al.) to the contrary, the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency may issue up to $1,000,000 in loans pursuant to this section prior to the Department of Environmental Protection developing the priority system required pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1991, c.456 (C.58:12A-22.4).

L.1991,c.456,s.3; amended 1999, c.266, s.3.