NY Rising (CDBG-DR)

In response to Hurricane Sandy, and with the Federal Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding, New York State (the State) developed the NY Rising Housing Recovery Program along with several other Disaster Recovery initiatives as outlined in the State’s Action Plan. The NY Rising Housing Recovery Program is designed to help New Yorkers that were impacted by Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Irene, or Tropical Storm Lee, to recover and rebuild, and, just as importantly, to stimulate economic growth in the affected communities. Assistance may be provided to address remaining unmet housing recovery needs in a variety of categories, including Home Repair, Reimbursement, Mitigation/Elevation, and Interim Mortgage Assistance. Brownie Companies team is ready to assist with all NY Rising requirements.

Assistance may also be available to owners of rental properties in the impacted regions. Receipt of funding under this program may not duplicate disaster-related assistance you have already received or may be eligible for from other Federal, State, Local and/or private sources of disaster-related assistance, including, but not limited to, Homeowners and/or flood insurance proceeds. Note that the CDBG-DR funding is intended to help New York residents meet basic livability standards, in contrast to insurance compensation that may be based on insurance costs.

Homeowners who live in the 100 year floodplain AND whose homes are substantially damaged are required to elevate their homes. They are eligible for elevation funding and an increase in their maximum benefit cap. The Program will determine Substantial Damage by:

1. Receipt of a substantial damage letter from their Flood Plain Administrator, or
2. Inclusion in the FEMA and/or the municipality data set indicating the home was substantially damaged, or
3. A total damage amount (the sum of the AA and the ECR not including bulkheads or elevation but including AE fees) of greater than 50% of the pre-storm value or
4. Reconstruction estimates using the $160 per square foot pricing model, or For those who do not fit in one of the categories above, the Homeowner can provide additional documentation such as tax records or an appraisal and the Program can review and approve on a case by case basis. For homes that did not receive a FEMA inspection and do not have a floodplain letter, the Program inspectors will assess damage and make the determination if they are substantially damaged. Homeowners in the 100 year flood plain who are NOT substantially damaged are eligible for elevation funding but will not receive an increase in their maximum benefit cap. Homeowners outside the 100 year flood plain are not eligible for elevation funding.

The FEMA programs such as HMGP and SRL are reimbursement grants. Brownie Companies will assist homeowners and contractors with all the paperwork and grant application, and Brownie Companies will aid in the progression through the grant program as you apply.

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) is a Federal grant program that awards assistance to states and local governments after the occurrence of a natural disaster. Homeowners have the opportunity to elevate their homes with the help of Brownie Companies, after a declaration of a major disaster. The HMGP reduces the loss of life and property and enables preventative measures to be taken in response to the disaster.

Severe Repetitive Loss Program

Authorized by the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004, the Severe Repetitive Loss (SRL) program is a Federal grant program that awards assistance to citizens to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of flood damage. Those who have had multiple flood insurance policy claims, can be assisted and given a solution to elevate the structure above the Base Flood Elevation.

GOVERNMENT GRANT NAVIGATING FOR HOUSE RAISING ON LONG ISLAND

If you live in an area of Long Island that is in or close to a Flood Zone you may be eligible for one of a few flood programs that exist here in New York. The two most used and popular for Long Islanders are listed below, but other options do exist.

• Congress enacted the National Flood Insurance Program in 1968. It was designed to offer affordable flood insurance to those who live in flood zones not only on Long Island but also across the nation. To find out if you live in a Flood Zone on Long Island visit the flood zone map for your county below.
• The Flood Mitigation Assistance Program was created by FEMA in 1994 to reduce NFIP claims. Funded entirely by FEMA, monies are appropriated to participating states and/or communities. The funds distributed by this program are to be used for flood mitigation measures such as structural elevation (house raising) or relocation.

Regardless of which program might be right for you and your family, we here at Zucaro House Lifters, Inc. understand the problems you may be facing as a flood victim because we also grew up and live on Long Island and as such, we've had to endure the effects of Hurricane Sandy as well. We will work with you every step of the way to make sure that you get you the best possible flood mitigation and house raising results, and that you get the money that is entitled to you for your project.