Elected Officials Urge Landlords To Open Homes To Sandy Victims

Elected officials called on Brooklyn landlords Wednesday to help the city reach the finish line for Superstorm Sandy recovery efforts by opening available apartments to homeowners enrolled in the Build it Back program.

The city is moving aggressively to meet Mayor de Blasio’s goal, set last fall, to complete work for all of Build it Back’s 9,300 applicants by the end of 2016. By allowing homeowners to temporarily relocate, the city can make progress more rapidly.

Borough President Eric Adams and City Councilman Mark Treyger, joined by State Senator Roxanne Persaud and representatives from the Mayor’s Office of Housing Recovery, held a press conference detailing the city’s Sandy Temporary Rental Program and urged Brooklyn landlords to get involved.

“We are One Brooklyn, and we look out for our neighbors in need,” Adams said in a press release sent by his office. “For victimized homeowners still looking to recover from the wrath of Superstorm Sandy, it is critical that we find landlords willing to open their apartments — and their hearts — for this greater rebuilding effort.”

Landlords enrolled in the program will be reimbursed up to the maximum rental amounts allowed by the program. A one person household will bring in up to $1,495 per month. A five person household fetches $2,667 per month.

Since the program launched in June, 16 landlords have stepped forward to open up their homes and 26 homeowners have been temporarily relocated, according to the Borough President’s office. The program is privately funded and builds off a federally financed relocation effort that began in 2014.

Build it Back has also partnered with congregations and faith leaders in Sandy-impacted communities, including Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Gerritsen, Brighton Beach, Marine Park and many others, to broaden its reach in the these areas, according to the Borough President’s office.

Brooklyn landlords interested in helping can call Build it Back at 212-615-8329.

“Many New Yorkers displayed a true compassion and generosity during and after Superstorm Sandy in doing their part to help their neighbors,” said Treyger. “Now, we are appealing to New Yorkers again as we make a final push to finish rebuilding homes damaged by Sandy’s devastation. It is imperative that we find housing opportunities for storm victims still in need of temporary relocation.”