Politics & Government

NYC's Rapid Repairs Makes Progress with Sandy-Damaged Homes

Mayor Bloomberg says more than 10,000 homes damaged by Hurricane Sandy have been repaired, with thousands more scheduled in the coming weeks.

Mayor Bloomberg announced on Sunday that more than 10,000 homes damaged by Hurricane Sandy have been repaired through New York City’s Rapid Repairs Program and that thousands more scheduled for repair in the coming weeks, the Associated Press reported.

The announcement was the first report card on the city’s program, which is a collaboration with FEMA to help New Yorkers speed their return home.

Through Rapid Repairs, dozens of contractors and thousands of skilled construction workers have been working free of charge to restore homes damaged by the superstorm with basic services such as heat, power and hot water.

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Officials said the program has served as the best way to fill housing needs for residents wanting to return home following a natural disaster.

Who is eligible for NYC Rapid Repairs?

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  • You must be a residential property owner within the five boroughs of NYC.
  • If you own a single or two-family home, you must have a FEMA number. If you own a multi-family building, you do not need a FEMA number to register with NYC Rapid Repairs. To obtain a FEMA number, visit a NYC Restoration Center or www.fema.gov, or call FEMA at 1-800-621-3362.
  • Your home must be deemed structurally safe by the NYC Department of Buildings as denoted by a Yellow or Green placard on your door, or no placard at all. If you have a Red placard you can still register with NYC Rapid Repairs, but you will need to make any necessary repairs to transition to a Yellow or Green placard before a NYC Rapid Repairs Team can safely enter your home. Call 311 or visit www.nyc.gov/buildings for more information on Red placards.
  • Your home must be free of standing water to allow for a safe inspection. If you have standing water in your home, register with NYC Rapid Repairs. The city will drain your home prior to scheduling an appointment with a NYC Rapid Repairs Team.

If eligible, homeowners must then register with NYC Rapid Repairs. The city will then schedule an appointment for a qualified NYC Rapid Repairs Team to come out.

To register for NYC Rapid Repairs go to www.NYC.gov, call 311 or visit a NYC Restoration Center. These are the only ways to register for NYC Rapid Repairs.

Rapid Repairs is a free program – do not register with anyone who says they can register you for a fee. Report any suspected fraud to 311.


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