Hurricane Ida Long-Term Recovery and Resiliency
Hurricane Ida made landfall in New York on September 1, 2021, impacting 10 counties with the bulk of the damage outside New York City occurring in Westchester. Using Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, New York will administer a $68 million initiative to help residents recover. The State’s comprehensive initiative encompasses four distinct programs that will make communities and the homes of renters and homeowners safer and more resilient against future storms.
The State’s full Action Plan for recovery from Hurricane Ida is available here. The funding is available to residents of Dutchess, Nassau, Orange, Rockland, Suffolk, and Westchester Counties.
Priority process will be given to households with an income 80% or less than the area median income (AMI). Households above the income requirement will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. (Scroll down to the table below to review allowable income limits).
Homeowner Repair and Reimbursement Program
The Ida Homeowner Repair and Reimbursement Program (IHRR) helps eligible homeowners whose primary residence was damaged by Hurricane Ida. The program is open to residents in Dutchess, Nassau, Orange, Rockland, Suffolk, and Westchester Counties.
Owners of 1-4 family homes may receive funding to:
- Repair Hurricane Ida damage
- Reimburse the cost of completed repairs,* and
- Install resiliency measures like elevating mechanicals, floodproofing, flood vents, and sewer backflow valves.
*Please note that to be reimbursed for completed repairs:
- Repair costs must have been incurred (for example, contractor contract signed) before June 1, 2023 and
- Repairs must have been paid for before the applicant applies to IHRR.
The Program is currently accepting applications. For more information, see Ida Homeowner Repair and Reimbursement Program.
Resilient Investments Through Support and Capital
The Resilient Investments Through Support and Capital (RISC) program supports local governments with technical assistance and/or planning funds to implement community-resiliency projects that will enhance protections for both infrastructure and local housing stock in the event of future storms.
The first funding round of RISC has closed as of October 27, 2023.
Renters Safe Housing Incentive Program
This program will encourage renters to relocate from storm-damaged homes while remaining in their existing communities by providing financial support for renters who secure new safe rental housing, down payment assistance for renters who purchase new safe housing, and moving assistance for these renters.
Renters will be able to begin the application process in Spring 2025.
Affordable Housing Resiliency Initiative
The Affordable Housing Resiliency Initiative (AHRI) is now accepting applications. The program will invest in flood mitigation measures and resiliency improvements in regulated multi-family public and affordable housing complexes. Eligible applicants (but are not limited to) public housing authorities, local units of government, and condo and co-op boards. Projects could include flood proofing buildings, emergency generators, water retention systems, drainage improvements, or other disaster resilience measures.
Interested multifamily building owners should review the NOFA, funding details, and find out more at Hurricane Ida CDBG - DR Funding Opportunities.
Complaints
Applicants may file a written complaint through the disaster recovery email [email protected] or submit via mail to the following address:
Office of Resilient Homes and Communities
641 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10022
The State’s goal is to provide an opportunity to resolve complaints in a timely manner. RHC will provide a timely written response (either by letter or email, as applicable) within fifteen (15) business days of the receipt of the complaint, as expected by HUD. Should the State require more time than described above to respond to a complaint, RHC will document the reason for the delayed response.
If the complaint is not satisfied by RHC’s response or subrecipient determination, the complainant may file a written appeal by following the instructions issued in the letter of response. If after the appeals process the complainant has not been satisfied with the response, a formal complaint may then be addressed directly to the regional HUD office at:
Department of Housing & Urban Development
26 Federal Plaza #3541
New York, NY 10278
Anti-Fraud, Waste, Abuse, and Mismanagement
Anti-Fraud, Waste, Abuse, and Mismanagement
RHC is committed to preventing fraudulent activity, waste, abuse, or mismanagement in the course of Hurricane Ida recovery. More information about RHC’s Anti-Fraud, Waste, Abuse, and Mismanagement (AWFAM) Policies can be found in the Ida AFWAM Policy Manual.
If you believe you are a victim of fraud, or have information about alleged fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement related to RHC programs or resources, please contact RHC by calling 212-872-0614, emailing [email protected],or writing to us at the following address:
Office of Resilient Homes and Communities
641 Lexington Avenue, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10022
Avoid Housing Scams
The New York Department of State Division of Consumer Protection has tips for consumers to avoid scams in the areas of:
Victims of fraud and scams may also contact the Division of Consumer Protection to seek help or file a complaint: Consumer Protection | Department of State.