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Rockaways Residents Still Living With Mold & Without Heat Due To Hurricane
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jan 3, 2013
Modified Jan 3, 2013
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jan 3, 2013
Modified Jan 3, 2013
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While Congress continues to drag its feet in passing a $60 billion relief package for the victims of Hurricane Sandy, a new report shows that residents in the region still haven't been able to return to their homes, while others are living without heat more than two months after the storm. According to a survey released by New York Communities for Change [PDF] and the office of Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, nearly one-fifth of Rockaways residents are not living in their homes, one-third are without heat (tonight's low is 27 degrees), and two-thirds are living with mold or have paid out of their own pockets for mold removal and remediation.
The survey, which looked at a cross-section of a larger sample population of 1,200 Rockaways residents, notes that while the federal government won't reimburse homeowners for mold removal and remediation, it will compensate New York City. "Mayor Bloomberg…should implement a mold and sheetrock removal program immediately that stops the public health crisis and reimburses homeowners for expenses related to mold remediation," the report recommends.
While Mayor Bloomberg has touted the success of his Rapid Repair crews that helped residents return to their homes, NYCC urges him to implement a similar program for mold removal. Last month, the mayor announced that a "comprehensive after-action review" was underway to evaluate the city's response to Sandy, and that report is due by February. Another committee is charged with developing "concrete recovery plans for the communities Sandy hit hardest."
"NYCC has been on the front lines since the storm hit," de Blasio's spokesman Wiley Norvell said of the report. "They've been in the field ever since, and have worked hand-in-hand with homeowners to meet basic needs and rebuild. We have tremendous confidence in their work." If you'd like to help with mold remediation in the Rockaways, contact the volunteer organizations mentioned in this article. Occupy Sandy in Red Hook apparently needs help too.
Tagged
mold removal
occupy sandy
original
fema
hurricane sandy
red hook
rockaways
mold
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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