Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that all eligible applicants will receive relief for direct physical damages related to the historic Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River flooding. State programs will continue to provide vital assistance to homeowners, small businesses, farms, not-for-profit organizations, homeowner associations, owners of multiple dwellings, and local governments that were impacted by the flooding.
"As communities recover from the devastating flooding this summer, I am committed to helping every impacted New Yorker get back on their feet," Governor Cuomo said. "With this funding, we will ensure everyone receives the help they need as the Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River communities work to rebuild and become even stronger than before."
For impacted homeowners, legislation enacted in July increased the maximum award from $40,000 to $50,000 and expanded eligibility to include all primary homeowners, as well as non-primary homeowners with income up to $275,000. Program assistance will reimburse homeowners for eligible losses, including repairs to and restoration of structures, equipment, and other physical damage. The program is being administered through not-for profit housing organizations seeking to help homeowners affected by the flooding.
Small businesses, farms, homeowner associations, and not-for-profit organizations that sustained direct physical flood-related damage are eligible to receive up to $50,000 under this program, while owners of multiple dwellings are eligible to receive up to $20,000. Program assistance are calculated at 50 percent of eligible loss, compensating eligible entities for repairs to and restoration of structures, equipment, and other physical damage and declines in revenue in excess of 15 percent as a result of closures or reduced business. The program is being administered by Empire State Development.
Counties, cities, towns, villages and special districts that sustained direct physical flood-related damage are also eligible to receive up to $1,000,000 for repairs to and restoration of municipal infrastructure and systems and up to $500,000 for flood mitigation, construction of resiliency measures, or flood control projects. This program is being administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal.
When the program was enacted $45 million was provided across these three categories. Based on the response received to date, it is likely that additional funds will be needed and, through the Executive Budget process, the State is committed to ensuring that all submitted eligible applications will receive relief.
Senator Patty Ritchie said, "For months, I have been visiting and talking with those who have seen their primary and secondary homes, and businesses destroyed by unprecedented flooding along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. When it became clear that the demand for help surpassed what was available, I made it a priority to do all I could to see that everyone who was eligible for support received it. I would like to thank the Governor for recognizing how critical it is to connect all those eligible with the resources they need to rebuild. I remain committed to continuing my work to see that everyone impacted is able to fully recover."
Senator Pam Helming said, "I was so proud to lead the effort to pass the legislation that created the Lake Ontario Flood Recovery Program to bring much-needed assistance to those affected by the historic flooding disaster earlier this year. I'm even prouder that all of the grant applications for flood relief and remediation will be honored so that our property owners can repair, rebuild, and put their lives back together. This is a huge step forward for our residents of Monroe, Wayne, and Cayuga counties who are still suffering from significant loss and damages to their homes, but there is a difference between being approved and actually receiving the money. The next important step is to get this funding transferred to the property owners as quickly as possible so that they can continue with their recovery efforts and secure their homes before the snow flies."
Assembly Majority Leader Joseph D. Morelle said, "As Governor Cuomo has shown time and time again New York will always be there to support families and individuals in their time of need and I am incredibly grateful to him for delivering this critical aid as our community continues its recovery efforts. This additional funding will further support the $45 million secured through legislation that I was proud to sponsor in the Assembly and ultimately, ensure that the many homeowners and businesses impacted by this season's devastating flooding are able to rebuild faster and stronger than ever before."
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne said, "I appreciate that the governor understands that the devastating flooding from this past spring is still an on-going issue for affected communities and it will continue to be over the next several years. Residents and businesses are still struggling to get back on track and additional funding in next year's budget will help to address the complex issues that communities are continuing to deal with."