TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — State officials say they have accelerated spending on housing programs from federal aid sent to New Jersey to rebuild after Superstorm Sandy amid improvements to a big program that got off to an uncertain start last year.

In a progress report sent last week to the federal government, New Jersey’s Department of Community Affairs said it disbursed $97 million to homeowners in the period from April to June. Overall, the homeowners had received $179 million in the program through June. The state says that from July 1 through Aug. 4, homeowners received an additional $29 million.