FEMA’s STEP Program Provides Funding for Emergency Home Repair and Restoration of Temporary Electricity, Heat and Hot Water
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce $54.9 Million To Reimburse New York City For The Cost Of Home Repairs In The Wake Of The Storm – Will Ensure Local Taxpayers Don’t Foot The Entire Bill
New York, NY – March 25, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand today announced over $54 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection’s (NYCDEP) Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power (STEP) pilot program. As a result of Superstorm Sandy, the City of New York implemented a Rapid Repair Program that initiates certain emergency protective measures to allow damaged homes to be utilized as shelters by restoring electric service, heat, and hot water. New York City paid for the program, and these funds represent a reimbursement, ensuring that local tax payers don’t have to pay for the entire bill.
“Sandy damaged thousands and thousands of homes across New York, and the city is now being paid back for the work they did to make those homes livable again,” said Schumer. “This reimbursement will make sure that local taxpayers won’t be on the hook for this work, resulting from what was truly a storm of national significance.”
“This vital funding allows many New Yorkers displaced by the storm to move back into their homes,” said Gillibrand. “We must ensure that New York families whose lives have been uprooted by this unprecedented disaster have basic necessities of heat, electricity, and hot water restored in their homes. This federal reimbursement is an important step as we continue to meet New York City’s needs to recover and rebuild.”
FEMA’s STEP program was initiated after Superstorm Sandy to allow New Yorkers who do not have power to shelter-in-place in their homes while permanent repairs are completed. STEP funds emergency residential essential and necessary repairs such as restoration of temporary electricity, heat and hot water so that victims of Superstorm Sandy can remain in their homes while permanent repair work continues.
New York City’s Rapid Repair Program helped residential property owners impacted by Superstorm Sandy make emergency repairs, allowing residents to stay in their homes while more permanent repairs were being completed.
Schumer and Gillibrand today announced $54,970,650 in FEMA reimbursement for the New York City’s STEP Program, known as Rapid Repairs. This award will reimburse the city for the use of force account personnel & equipment and contractors to implement the program.
