Amid Sandy Clean-Up, NYC Launches Housing Recovery Program With Aid Money

Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a citywide program Monday that would help homeowners, renters and landlords who are still working to recuperate from the destruction left by Superstorm Sandy last fall.

The program, entitled NYC Build It Back, is geared to help the more than 20,000 families living in homes that still require some kind of repair, city officials said.

The program is being funded by $648 million in federal aid.

“Through NYC Build It Back, we are making our federal aid package simple and understandable, and tailoring assistance to the specific needs of the families and businesses most impacted by Sandy,” Mayor Bloomberg said in a statement.

The program emphasizes four “pathways” in an effort to get New Yorkers back into sustainable homes: repair, rebuild, reimbursement and acquisition.

Professional contractors are available to help eligible families with minor to moderate home repairs. If a home needs to be rebuilt, qualified families may select a home model that is designed by a city developer. The city may help families recover fees that were spent on minor repairs made to their homes. If owners decide to sell their home, the city will examine that home’s specific community and begin to redevelop properties.

“While a great deal of work still lies ahead, this vital housing recovery program will help those impacted by Sandy rebuild stronger, more sustainable homes and communities and put New York City further along on the road to resiliency,” Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said in a statement.

New Yorkers can go to www.nyc.gov or call 311 to register for the program.