Council Eyes City’s Response To Victims
The City Council Committee on Housing and Buildings held an oversight hearing last Tuesday, Feb. 26, to examine the housing needs of New Yorkers displaced by Hurricane Sandy and to evaluate the city’s efforts to help residents secure longterm housing.
At the hearing, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Council members raised concerns about the city’s outreach to displaced families and the city’s ability to provide long-term housing to low-income New Yorkers impacted by the storm. In addition, they examined the assistance provided to homeowners who wish to return or remain in damaged homes.
“Every morning for the past four months, thousands of families have woken up in hotel rooms across the city or on the couches of family members of friends, instead of the comfort of their own homes. Others have lived in the midst of damaged homes in need of repair,” Quinn said in her opening remarks. “For these families, Sandy caused more than just a temporary interruption in their daily lives-it took away one of the most important things a family can have: a stable habitable home. As a city it is our responsibility to help those who need assistance find long-term housing and to help address repair and rebuilding needs.”
“Thousands of New Yorkers are still suffering and recovering from the devastating impact that Hurricane Sandy had on our region,” added Council Member Erik Martin Dilan, the chair of the Housing and Buildings Committee. “While great strides have been made to help those that were displaced and needed housing, there are many others that are still in need of a permanent housing solution.”
Specifically, the Council focused on:
– Subsidized housing vouchers for low-income renters-Quinn and Council members called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the city to move to find longer-term solutions for families whose incomes are too low to even qualify for the affordable apartments being made available. More permanent solutions are also needed to help families can find new homes.
– Making housing resources easier to navigate-Quinn and Council members questioned the Bloomberg administration on assistance available to displaced New Yorkers seeking rental apartments and expressed concerns that the New York City Housing Portal does not list all housing options available through the city, such as NYCHA apartments, Section 8 vouchers and new Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and Housing Development Corporation (HDC) projects that will prioritize housing for Sandy evacuees.
Council members recommended the city enhance the current New York City Housing Portal so that it becomes the central location that lists all available housing options and includes a link to FEMA’s housing portal.
– Assistance to homeowners in damaged homes-Council members questioned Bloomberg administra- tion officials on the scope of repairs made by Rapid Repairs and on the city’s mold remediation program. In addition, Council members sought a timeline for the release of HUD rebuilding assistance funds and the completion of all repairs.
– Case management for displaced New Yorkers-Quinn and Council members evaluated the case management services offered to Sandy evacuees. Council members expressed concerns that families have not received adequate assistance to secure new homes and questioned whether the housing options currently available would help New Yorkers transition into permanent housing.
The Council also heard from advocates for the homeless and legal service organizations who shared their experiences working with displaced New Yorkers and those living in damaged homes as a result of Hurricane Sandy.
The hearing was the latest in a series of oversight hearings the Council will hold in the coming weeks to examine the city’s response to Hurricane Sandy.
