As our city continues to respond to the crisis, the Center for New York City Neighborhoods remains committed to its mission of keeping New York City Neighborhoods thriving. With that in mind, our first course of action has been to compile resources for homeowners immediately impacted by Hurricane Sandy to help get them back on their feet. From immediate disaster relief to longer term help with repairing and stabilizing your home, CNYCN wants New Yorkers to have access to the best free assistance available. Please check back for additional updates.
Disaster Relief:
Contact FEMA immediately to see what federal assistance programs you qualify for, including rental assistance, repair loans, grants and more. It is important that you reach out within 60 days of the disaster.
Click http://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or call 1-800-621-3362.
1) Register with FEMA as soon as possible at http://www.disasterassistance.gov/. The application deadline is 60 days from the disaster declaration on October 30th, but we have heard that early requests for assistance are more likely to get a speedy reply.
2) After registering with FEMA, you may receive an application from the Small Business Association. You need to complete this, as it will help FEMA determine what kinds of assistance you might be eligible for.
3) Apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance by December 3rd to receive temporary wage replacement if you can’t work, can’t get to work, or can’t start your new job due to the storm. This program is not just for those whose homes have been affected by the storm. In addition, self-employed individuals may qualify. You need to be ineligible for regular unemployment benefits in order to qualify for this program. Please help to get the word out about this, as the deadline is approaching very quickly! http://www.labor.ny.gov/ui/2012-sandy-services.shtm
Home Repairs:
1. Neighborhood Housing Services
Call 212-519-2500 to reach Neighborhood Housing Services for a home repair loan. Details listed below.
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ELIGIBLE PROPERTY |
1 – 4 Unit Dwellings in the five boroughs of New York City |
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ELIGIBLE BORROWER(S) |
Must own and occupy the subject property |
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ELIGIBLE REPAIRS |
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APPLICATION PROCESS |
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MAXIMUM LOAN AMOUNT * |
$10,000 |
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INCOME LIMIT |
None |
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TERM |
5 Years ** 1st Payment Deferred 90 Days ** |
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INTEREST RATE |
4.00% |
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FEES |
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PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS |
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2. NYC Rapid Repairs
Mayor Bloomberg and Director of Housing Recovery Operations Brad Gair announced NYC Rapid Repairs, a new program to send teams of contractors and City inspectors into neighborhoods impacted by Hurricane Sandy and quickly and efficiently make necessary repairs to damaged homes. Contractors will be given responsibility for specific geographic areas hard hit by Sandy. These contractors will be responsible for repairing the homes of anyone who wants to take part in NYC Rapid Repairs.
Beginning Tuesday, homeowners will be able sign up for NYC Rapid Repairs by going to NYC.gov or by calling 311. They will need a FEMA ID number, which they can get by registering at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362.
If there are critical needs and or vulnerable populations where resources have not reached them, please email Vito Mustaciuolo, ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) with that info ASAP. We are working with a number of task force teams to get resources where the needs are.
Go to www.nyc.gov for further information about:
o NYC Rapid Repairs
o Making Repairs and Restoring Power to Buildings
o Reporting storm damage to your home and business to help NYC get estimate its need for disaster relief
o Small business loans, temporary office space, and employee assistance
3. Local non-profit agencies are offering low cost loans to help homeowners repair damage to their homes:
Emergency Repair Loan for Homeowners
Source: Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE)
The Neighborhood Housing Services of Jamaica, Inc introductes the REHAB Grant Program which provides financial assistance in the form of a forgivable grant to existing low and moderate income homeowners living in Queens for home repairs and improvement projects.
This grant will provide funds up to 60% of the REHAB cost, up to a maximum of $10,000 per household. Click the link below for more details.
http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/23155628/267484834/name/Rehab%20Workshop.pdf
Source: Neighborhood Housing Services of Jamaica, Inc.
Small Business Loans:
Renaissance Economic Development Corporation offers loans to small businesses located in New York City:
http://renaissance-ny.org/wordpress/small-business-loans/
Homeowner Protection:
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has issued a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures of FHA insured mortgages. For more information, please click the link below.
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/press/press_releases_media_advisories/2012/HUDNo.12-167
Special Mortgage Insurance Program for Disaster Victim
Homeowners living in the presidentially declared disaster area can get special FHA insurance on a new mortgage to repair or replace homes damaged by the storm. The mortgage insurance makes it easier to obtain a loan from a financial institution. HUD recommends that homeowners work with a HUD-certified housing counselor when applying. For more information on the section 203(h) mortgage insurance, please click here:
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/housing/sfh/ins/203h-dft
Legal Assistance:
Legal Services of NYC has created a Disaster Relief Guide with helpful information about obtaining disaster loans and other forms of assistance. To view the guide, please click the link below.
Assistance for Seniors:
The Parodneck Foundation’s Senior Citizen Homeowner Assistance Program (SCHAP) offers low-cost and forgivable loans for home repairs. Applicants must own and have lived in a one to four unit building for at least two years, be at least 60 years of age and have liability and property insurance. Income restrictions also apply depending on household size.
- For more information, click here: http://www.parodneckfoundation.org/schap.html or call The Parodneck Foundation at (212) 431-9700 ext. 300