Schumer: Community Dev. Block Grant Can Cover Unmet Needs for Sandy Victims

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., last Friday urged Sandy-impacted homeowners on Long Island, New York, to apply for Sandy aid under the New York State’s “NY Rising” housing reconstruction program.

The NY Rising program allocates federal funding to Sandy victims with “unmet needs” and so far, nearly 5,000 Long Island homeowners have received notice of the funding they are set to receive.

The federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds essentially fill in the gaps between what is not covered by insurance and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The flexible CDBG funding comes in the form of a grant, not a loan, and is intended to supplement other available resources (including insurance) and cover unmet needs.

Of the $1.77 billion secured and provided in the first tranche of federal aid, $484.3 million has been allocated statewide under the NY Rising program so far. Schumer last Friday met with a Long Island family in Lindenhurst who recently learned they were awarded $107,000 through the NY Rising program and urged other Sandy-victims who have not yet applied to NY Rising to do so expeditiously.

“My message to Sandy-impacted homeowners on Long Island is: Sign up now!” said Schumer.

“Now that Sandy money is beginning to flow, all homeowners impacted by the storm should apply for this much-needed funding immediately,” said Schumer. “I fought hard to include this flexible funding in the Sandy Relief Bill to fill the gap between what homeowners would receive from insurance and from FEMA to rebuild their homes and to fortify them against future storms and now I am urging all Sandy-victims to sign up so they receive the assistance they need and deserve.”

Source: Senator Charles Schumer’s office