Ida Repair Funds Available To 5 NY Counties

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Up to $2 million in emergency funding will be made available by the state to homeowners in five counties impacted by flooding from Hurricane Ida.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Monday that Orange, Putnam, Sullivan, Ulster and New York counties, which were not eligible for FEMA funding, would be able to access emergency money.

The new state funds will provide emergency repair grants to homeowners who suffered damage to their primary residences during Ida and cannot safely occupy their homes.

Hochul said New Yorkers are still recovering from the impact of the hurricane.

"We have been working swiftly to provide emergency assistance," she said, "and will continue to help eligible homeowners restore and rebuild their lives."

The grant funds announced today cover damage incurred at a primary residence for homeowners who meet the program's income guidelines. New York State Homes and Community Renewal will oversee the program which will be administered by four locally based, non-profit organizations with existing HCR contracts for similar housing rehabilitation programs.

The emergency funding is intended to serve as a bridge as New York waits for additional federal funding under the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Congress passed earlier this fall through funding programs like the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program.

Beginning Monday, homeowners can apply to receive funding to cover the cost of emergency repairs necessary to bring their home into a safe and habitable condition. Eligible repairs may include, but are not limited to, repair or replacement of electrical and plumbing systems; furnaces, water heaters, water filtration systems, sump pumps, appliances and remediation of other health hazards, such as testing and clearance costs. Applicants for this program will work with one of the four nonprofit partner organizations to finalize an approved scope of work under the program.

To assist homeowners, Homes and Community Renewal has established a call center through the Center for New York City Neighborhoods whereby homeowners who live in the five targeted counties and who want to apply for the program can complete a pre-eligibility screening and be referred to a participating program administrator in their area.

The program administrators who will review and process applications are RUPCO, serving Ulster and Sullivan Counties; Putnam County Housing Corporation, serving Putnam County; Orange County Rural Development Advisory Corporation, serving Orange County, and Rebuilding Together NYC, serving New York County.

Residents who live in the impacted counties should contact the call center at 646-786-0888.

Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, D-Cold Spring, said he was thrilled that the funding was being made available for his constituents in Orange and Putnam counties and the three other counties.

"Since seeing the extensive damage in the Hudson Valley from Hurricane Ida first hand, I have been working to provide aid to our communities who were hit by the storm," he said. "With this funding, folks will have the support they need from New York State to repair their homes and get back on their feet."