By Steve Mosco
The American Red Cross is facing a new round of criticism for its relief efforts more than seven months after Hurricane Sandy came ashore.
The worldwide rescue organization has not spent $110 million of the $303 million in relief funds it received, the Associated Press reported. And while Red Cross officials say it is reserving the cash to meet any needs not immediately apparent, elected officials contend such funds are desperately needed right now.
In a letter to American Red Cross Greater New York CEO Josh Lockwood, the City Council pressed the organization to immediately allocate the remaining funds to help alleviate continued human suffering in parts of the city still reeling from the aftermath of the superstorm.
“Our communities have faced immeasurable hardships in the six months since the storm,” the letter reads. “New Yorkers expect the Red Cross to deliver emergency aid and we cannot accept that these funds should be allocated at a later date to address long-term needs. Sitting on this unspent money is an insult to both the victims of Hurricane Sandy and the generous donors to the American Red Cross.”
The letter goes on to cite specific beneficiaries that could use the money, including nonprofits that need new generators to minimize the impact of future storms, by providing a power backup. Also, the letter states owners of co-ops that find their common areas ineligible for funding could use the money for repairs.
“By filling this gap the co-op owners can avoid large assessments that may force them to leave their building,” the letter reads. “Allocating these funds would be a long overdue step in the right direction.”
Many people blasted the Red Cross in the days following the October superstorm, saying the organization was nowhere to be seen in the worst-hit Queens neighborhoods during the immediate aftermath.
Council Speaker Christine Quinn (D-Manhattan) said at an oversight hearing investigating the city’s response to Hurricane Sandy in mid-January that she wanted to have a follow-up conversation with the Red Cross regarding its storm efforts.
“The Red Cross was a severe disappointment,” Quinn said at the hearing.
Meanwhile, the city is attempting to lessen the tax burden on residents and businesses affected by the storm.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced Tuesday the city will cut real estate taxes for residential and commercial properties damaged by Sandy, saving homeowners and landlords a total of $90.3 million on their next tax bill.
The city Department of Finance marked down assessed values by 15 percent for single-family homes and multi-family buildings and by 10 percent for commercial properties, affecting close to 88,000 properties.
“The $90 million reduction will stay in the communities hit hardest by Sandy, helping families rebuild and supporting local businesses,” Bloomberg said in a statement.
Reach reporter Steve Mosco by e-mail at smosco@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4546.
