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Light Drizzle Lot of venting, but no answers
Residents air grievances at NYR meeting
About three dozen residents of Sandy-affected communities came to South Side High School to attend a meeting for New York Rising Action Plan Amendment No. 8 in Rockville Centre last week.
It was an opportunity for them to ask questions of the governor’s representatives and voice their concerns and frustrations about the New York Rising program, which is helping residents rebuild their homes following Superstorm Sandy.
It was not, however, an opportunity for them to get answers.
Dan Greene, the representative of the Office of Storm Recovery, said in his opening statement that he and moderator Marlene Pissot would not be addressing concerns from the residents, nor would they be answering questions. All comments and questions would be addressed in the report that would be filed after the public comment period closes next month.
The meeting was held because, on Oct. 16, 2014, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allocated an additional $420,922,000 in recovery funds to New York. To receive the funds, the state has to publish an action report detailing how they will be spent, which is known as Amendment No. 8. Part of that process requires a public comment period.
Many of those who spoke aired their grievances and frustrations with the program, which they said keeps changing the rules around them and makes recovering even more difficult.
“To the unaffected public and the federal government, this program presents itself as spending wisely for the future,” said Kevin Reilly, who was representing members of the Long Beach Rising Facebook page. “For Sandy families suffering through their third winter with no help from New York Rising, this program is hemorrhaging money, stopping the recovery and building back a weaker South Shore.”
The most recent changes that many were upset with were related to raising homes. If a home received more than 50 percent of its value in damage from flooding, then the home has to be raised. NYR recently changed its rules to say that only piles and spread footings are acceptable ways to raise homes, eliminating the option of using concrete slabs.
