Bloomberg Unveils Post-Sandy Rebuilding Program

"Since Superstorm Sandy hit, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has stressed the city would rebuild on, rather than retreat from its shores, and true to that pledge that is even the name the administration has adopted for its biggest recovery program yet, NYC Build It Back," reports Matt Chaban. "Using more than a third of the $1.77 billion Congress has so far allocated for Sandy recovery, Build It Back will help homeowners and landlords restore or rebuild their properties, or even help them relocate, should they so choose."

In announcing Build It Back, Bloomberg touted its unparalleled level of service: each applicant will be assigned a housing recovery specialist to assist their participation in the program. 

"Build It Back will take on the repair and rebuilding work through city-selected contractors—which the administration is still in the process of choosing—though property owners can also work with their housing recovery specialist to qualify their own contractors," says Chaban. "For owners of properties beyond repair the city will soon have a set of pre-designed homes available that New Yorkers can choose from in replacing their properties, though as with repair work, property owners are allowed to choose their own designs. Such homes would have to be approved by the city in order for the costs to be covered."