May 1, 2007

HOUSING HELP AVAILABLE FOR LOW-INCOME RENTERS DISPLACED BY STORM
SBA opens office to help businesses apply for low-income loans to rebuild

Low-income renters who lost their homes to flooding from the April 15 storm may be eligible for preference on a list to receive assistance from the federal government’s Section 8 subsidized-housing program.

Westchester County has been notified that the Department of Housing and Community Renewal, which runs the program, is taking applications to put storm victims on the fast track for housing vouchers that would help them to relocate. Applications can be obtained at any one of three FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers in the county listed below.

“We are being told that those who are eligible will be given preference on the list,’’ said County Executive Andy Spano. “We are hoping that this will help people to relocate more quickly and give them the advantage they need to find housing in a very difficult market.’’

It’s all part of Westchester County’s efforts to help people connect to the resources they need to rebuild their lives.

Business owners can also receive extra help at a new disaster recovery center geared specifically to businesses that opened today at the Mamaroneck Village Offices at 123 Mamaroneck Ave., in Mamaroneck. The center is open from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. There business owners can get help in applying for low-interest loans.

Homeowners and renters can get help at these disaster recovery centers: T
The hours for all centers are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., 7 days a week.

• Eastchester Public Library, 11 Oakridge Place, Eastchester
• New Rochelle Emergency Operations Center, 90 Beaufort Place.
• The Senior Nutrition Community Center at the Mamaroneck Town Center, 740 W. Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck.

According to FEMA, 2,415 Westchester residents have registered for FEMA assistance for storm damage. Disaster Recovery Centers in Westchester received a total of 548 visitors: 347 in Mamaroneck, 95 in Eastchester and 106 in New Rochelle.

FEMA reported that $1.55 million in grants so far have been approved in Westchester, Rockland and Orange counties. Of those, 652 households have received $1.5 million in either temporary housing assistance or emergency essential repairs. Seventy-four households have been approved for $51,000 for other assistance such as medical, dental, transportation, storage and clothing costs.