Congressman Dan Goldman Announces $1.3 Million Grant for Red Hook East NYCHA Development Damaged in Hurricane Sandy
Funds Will Go Towards Repairing Damage Sustained by Red Hook East Building #29 During Hurricane Sandy
Federal Funds Will Also Enable Additional Building Infrastructure Upgrade to Protect Development from Future Flooding
New York, NY – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded a $1,313,178 Richard Stafford Grant to the New York City Housing Authority’s (NYCHA) Red Hook East Building #29 for permanent building repairs. These repairs are necessary due to water damage sustained during Hurricane Sandy. Funding will also contribute to upgrades that will protect the development from future flooding.
“I am thrilled to announce that Red Hook East NYCHA Building #29 will finally be receiving the federal funding they need to make critical repairs to the development,” Congressman Goldman said. “Twelve years ago, Hurricane Sandy caused an enormous amount of devastation to homes across New York City. This vital funding will finally repair the damage to Red Hook East and protect NYCHA residents against the next big storm. I look forward to continued work with federal agencies and NYCHA leaders to ensure that all NYCHA tenants have access to safe, high-quality, and affordable housing.”
In 2012, Hurricane Sandy’s high winds and storm surge caused severe flooding in the Red Hook area and damaged many buildings comprising the Red Hook East and West NYCHA development, which is home to over 2,700 public housing residents. The FEMA grant will provide the necessary investment to fix lingering damage from the storm and protect tenants from future flooding in the area by waterproofing the building and elevating equipment.
NYCHA is the country’s largest Public Housing Authority, serving nearly 340,000 residents in over 160,000 apartments. New York’s 10th Congressional District is home to 31 New York City Housing Authority developments with over 35,000 residents.
As one of his first acts in the House of Representatives, Congressman Goldman, along with Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), introduced the Public Housing Emergency Response Act. This bill would allocate $70 billion in funding for capital repairs and upgrades to public housing throughout the country. $32 billion of the allotted aid would be expected to flow directly to NYCHA.
In August of last year, Congressman Goldman led a letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) urging them to comply with federal law and reverse course on regulations that shortchange Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) like NYCHA by preventing them from receiving the full financial benefit of their negotiated savings from utility companies. If allowed to retain the full benefit of their negotiated utilities savings, NYCHA would be able to use the additional $50 million per year to address desperately needed capital repair backlogs.
Congressman Goldman’s team continues to work with tenants to address specific issues occurring in various housing developments. Last year, Congressman Goldman’s office helped NYCHA tenants in Campos Plaza II fix long-broken locks and regain access to their mailboxes. The Congressman also called an emergency meeting with NYCHA to address sewage backup issues in the Campos Plaza Community Center.
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