Submited by Peter Gudaitis

03/07/2013 04:39 PM EST 

NEW YORK – The Federal Emergency Management Agency, at the request of the State of New York, has approved a 14-day extension to the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program, which allows eligible survivors from Hurricane Sandy who cannot return to their homes to stay in participating hotels.

The new checkout date for those in the TSA program is March 24, 2013. FEMA is calling applicants eligible for the extension to notify them of the new checkout date.

Peter B. Gudaitis, M.Div.

Submitted by Brett Scudder

submitted by David Perez

nycommunities.org

The mold and habitability crisis in the Rockaways is unfortunately getting worse rather than improving. . . Fortunately, there is a simple solution.

According to the Office of the Public Advocate, FEMA will not reimburse homeowners for mold remediation; the agency will, however, compensate New York City for costs incurred due to mold. Mayor Bloomberg and New York City should implement a mold and sheetrock removal program immediately that stops the public health crisis and reimburses homeowners for expenses related to mold remediation. It is in the power of the city to take action, but it has refused to do so in a comprehensive, holistic way that would be cost-effective, efficient, and responsible.

NYCC - Forgotten - How the City Has Failed Sandy Victims in The Rockaways (6 page .PDF report)

submitted by Peter B. Gudaitis

cwsglobal.org - February 26, 2013

submitted by Naomi Rothwell

Release Date: Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Release Number: 13-330
Related State: New York
Field Operations Center: East
Contact: Michael Lampton
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov    

ATLANTA – The U. S. Small Business Administration has extended the deadline for Hurricane Sandy survivors in New York to return applications for physical damage to Mar. 29, 2013.

Additionally, the SBA Business Recovery Center at the The American Legion, 209 Cross Bay Blvd., Broad Channel, NY 11693, will close on Thursday, Feb. 28 at close of business and relocate to the Community Church of the Nazarene, 1414 Central Avenue, Far Rockaway, NY 11691, effective Mar. 1.  The hours of operation are Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., until further notice.

Survivors may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Volunteer Candice Osborne is able to quickly respond to the needs of Superstorm Sandy victims with the help of social media.

cnn.com- by Katie Walmsley - November 30, 2012

(CNN) -- It has been in operation only since October 30, but the Facebook page for "Giving back to those affected by Sandy" has a longer timeline than most Facebook members.

The page, started by the group "BK girls give back," began as a way to help people stranded in areas with no cell service or way to communicate after the superstorm. Soon, it took on a life of its own. Shelters in need of supplies, residents in need of a ride, organizations needing volunteers and even people who lost and found pets all posted on the timeline.

(READ COMPLETE ARTICLE)

DISASTER: Staten Island homes like this one in Oakwood would be eligible for buyouts.  Reuters

nypost.com - Gerry Shields - February 5, 2013

ALBANY — They want to flee Mother Nature’s wrath on Staten Island — but not in Long Beach.

Residents in the Oakwood Beach and Fox Beach sections of Staten Island overwhelmingly want a buyout Gov. Cuomo is proposing for victims of superstorm Sandy, the island’s state senators said yesterday.

But residents of hard-hit Long Beach want to stay put, according to their assemblyman, Harvey Weisenberg.

(READ COMPLETE ARTICLE)

(CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)

submitted by Peter B. Gudaitis

Release date: February 21, 2013
Release Number: NR-176

NEW YORK – The Federal Emergency Management Agency, at the request of the State of New York, has approved a 14-day extension to the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program, which allows eligible survivors from Hurricane Sandy who cannot return to their homes to stay in participating hotels or motels.

The new checkout date for those in the TSA program is March 10, 2013. FEMA continues working with survivors in coordination with state, local and voluntary agency partners to assist applicants through outreach and comprehensive casework to identify and transition them to more suitable temporary or long-term housing. Applicants eligible for the extension are being notified of the new checkout date. 

The temporary Transitional Sheltering Assistance program allows eligible Hurricane Sandy survivors whose houses have been severely damaged or destroyed to stay in a hotel or motel for a limited time and have the cost of the room and taxes paid directly to the hotel by FEMA.

submitted by Henry Rodriguez

claimsjournal.com - February 19, 2013

The 15 insurers participating in the National Flood Insurance Program that are handling at least 1,000 claims related to Sandy, the progress they have made in closing claims, and the money they have paid out to date:

(READ COMPLETE ARTICLE)

submitted by Henry Rodriguez

propertyinsurancecoveragelaw.com - by Chip Merlin - February 20, 2013

Flood insurance claims under the National Flood Program are unique. As implied in yesterday's post, Appraisal in Flood Claims, those closely involved with controversies regarding appraisals under the National Flood Program should not only read cases construing the flood policy, they should also read briefs filed by the attorneys for National Flood to anticipate future arguments and issues. This is very important to properly representing Hurricane Sandy insurance claimants.

(READ COMPLETE ARTICLE)

Andy Wandilak, owner of Two Boots Pizza

CNN - by Jessi Hempel - November 23, 2013

Thanks to social networks, grassroots relief efforts scaled quickly and efficiently in Sandy's aftermath, giving them a bigger presence in many places than even the established aid agencies.

On the day Hurricane Sandy decimated entire neighborhoods of New York, Andy Wandilak offered to feed and shelter the family of a musician who plays at his restaurant. The guy's descriptions of the storm's aftermath were tragic. So Andy started cooking. He used Facebook and Twitter to ask the restaurant's patrons for support.

(READ COMPLETE ARTICLE)