NY Makes $3 Million More Available For Storm Damage Repairs

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Emergency assistance of up to $3 million will be made available to eligible homeowners in eight counties — including four in the Hudson Valley — impacted by recent storm damage and disaster flooding.

Governor Kathy Hochul said Wednesday the state funds will provide emergency repair grants to homeowners who suffered damage to their primary residence in the following counties:

• Dutchess, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester in the Hudson Valley
• Clinton, Essex and Hamilton in the North Country
• Ontario in the Fingers Lakes

The new funding is in addition to the $3 million announced by Hochul last month to assist homeowners affected by historic flooding.

Hochul said the additional funding will help to provide relief to even more New Yorkers impacted by the devastating floods as they work to repair their homes and return to their normal lives.

“My administration remains committed to assisting New Yorkers in any way possible as part of the recovery effort following last month’s historic storm,” she said.

The emergency grant funds announced Wednesday will cover damage incurred at a primary residence for homeowners who meet the program’s income guidelines.

New York State Homes and Community Renewal will oversee the program which will be administered by several nonprofit organizations in each county.

Homeowners in the affected regions can apply to receive funding to cover the cost of urgent repairs necessary to bring their homes into safe and habitable conditions. Eligible work may include repair or replacement of electrical and plumbing systems, heating systems and appliances, flooring, drywall, insulation, windows, doors, siding and roofing.

A full list of qualified repairs and eligibility criteria are available on the Homes and Community Renewal flood program website.

The AHC Flood Assistance Program applications will open on Friday, Aug. 11.

Grants of up to $50,000 will be awarded based on a scope of work approved by the local program administrators. Applicants must be homeowners whose primary residence is in one of the eight designated counties and who have incomes at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said this was good news for his constituents, particularly those in communities that were hardest hit like Yorktown, Ossining, Cortlandt and Peekskill.

“We want to thank Governor Kathy Hochul for her leadership and support in helping our residents recover and rebuild,” he said.

Rockland County Executive Ed Day said he is encouraging residents who need financial support to apply for the assistance.

“My administration feels for the families who were impacted by this recent storm,” he said, “and I send my sincere appreciation to Governor Kathy Hochul and her team for remembering the residents who are still dealing with the aftermath of this.”

The announcement was obviously welcome news, Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne said.

He offered Hochul his thanks for stepping up to provide additional assistance from the state to help those who are still struggling to rebuild a month later.

“We are still proactively sharing information with the state and federal governments to bolster our congressional representative’s efforts to bring back additional assistance from FEMA,” Byrne said.