More Queens residents have applied for the city’s Build It Back program than in any of the other boroughs – but they’re not the only ones who will be eligible for the federal funds slated to help homeowners, landlords and tenants impacted by Hurricane Sandy.
The city announced this week it has extended the deadline to register for the program until Oct. 31.
More than 22,000 New Yorkers have so far registered for Build it Back, a city program using about $648 million in federal funds to help hurricane victims still recovering from the storm to return to permanent, sustainable housing. About 9,409 Queens residents have applied for the program – the most in entire city. Brooklyn comes in second, with 6,974 residents having applied, and 4,981 individuals have registered in Staten Island. There have been 236 applicants in Manhattan, and 193 in the Bronx.
Over the past two weeks, the mayor’s Office of Housing Operations partnered with area elected officials – including Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Rockaway), community groups and others to register people for Build it Back.
“With an influx of new registrants in the past two weeks, we are extending the deadline so that more New Yorkers have the opportunity to sign up for NYC Build it Back,” said Brad Gair, director of the mayor’s Office of Housing Recovery Operations
Gair said individuals should register online at www.nyc.gov or by calling 311.
As part of the program, individuals could receive funds for rebuilding and reimbursing out-of-pocket repair expenses. After the initial registration, participants will meet with a Housing Recovery Specialist to help them complete the application process. Once eligibility is reviewed and confirmed, a visit will be scheduled to the registrant’s home to evaluate the damage and determine what repairs may need to be completed, including elevating homes when necessary.
For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/builditback.
