Northeast Queens Pols Want FEMA Aid for Co-ops, Condos

Northeast Queens elected officials are calling on the Federal Emergency Management Agency to make co-ops and condos eligible for the same type of assistance provided to homeowners during disasters.

U.S. Rep. Steve Israel, D-Great Neck, introduced a bill that would require FEMA to provide aid to co-ops and condos during severe storms, such as Hurricane Sandy, and emergency situations.

Currently, co-op and condo owners are only able to receive loans, but not grants, from FEMA.

“Homeowners of every kind deserve the same FEMA assistance when a storm hits,” state Sen. Tony Avella, D-Bayside said.

Israel said he sent two letters earlier this year to the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA urging them to change their current policy for co-ops and condos. But he said he believed that legislation to amend the federal Stafford Act was necessary.

“A storm does not discriminate where it hits and FEMA should not be discriminating what type of homeowners it helps,” Israel said.

Co-op and condo leaders from northeast Queens said FEMA aid would go a long way to helping residents affected by severe weather.

“Currently, the cost of disaster related repairs falls squarely upon the shoulders of middle class owners who are least able to bear additional financial burdens,” said Warren Schreiber, president of the Bay Terrace Community Alliance. “Amending the Stafford Act will provide co-ops and condos with the same protections afforded other property owners.”