Originally Posted - July 21, 2006

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ALBANY---An unprecedented effort from the State's three housing agencies, Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR), State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) and Affordable Housing Corporation (AHC), will provide approximately $45 million in funding for capital projects and housing programs for the 12 counties hardest-hit by the floods of 2006. The funds will provide both immediate and long-term housing assistance to those victims whose homes have been completely destroyed or have suffered major damage. In addition, small retail business owners who have sustained flood damage to their stores and storefronts will receive assistance for rehabilitation and repairs.

Gov. George Pataki also announced $5 million in state funding to help purchase properties that have experienced persistent flooding and are likely to face additional threats of floods in the future. This State funding, which could leverage up to $15 million in FEMA funds, will be available to homeowners who meet the program criteria and who want to move, or rebuild in a new, safer location. The acquired parcels will be used to preserve open space, manage wetlands, and provide areas for recreational activities.

"The floods have left untold damage to homes and businesses in their wake. I have toured the flooded regions and have found families without homes but not without hope. The courage of our citizens must be matched by the resolve of their government to bring them immediate and substantive aid, especially when it comes to that most primary need: shelter," Governor Pataki said. "Today I am announcing an unprecedented package of housing and business assistance forthcoming from New York State's housing agencies which will give our fellow citizens immediate assistance and reason to keep their hopes alive."

"The State has a network of partners in place in the disaster area who are committed and capable of delivering both short-term and long-term assistance to flood victims. The Division of Housing and Community Renewal is providing $30 million to these partners for activities ranging from new construction of apartments to home repairs for the elderly and the disabled. The State of New York Mortgage Agency and the Affordable Housing Corporation will provide a combined $15 million in low-interest rate mortgages, and down payment and closing cost assistance to eligible current homeowners who've lost their homes to purchase new ones or rehabilitation funds to make repairs to existing homes. We are also making an additional $5 million available to supplement the expected FEMA funds that will allow local communities to identify and acquire flood prone properties for future community uses," the Governor said.

The funding is being made available to those affected in Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Orange, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan, Tioga, and Ulster Counties. SONYMA is making $5 million in low-interest rate mortgage funds available to current homeowners in the affected counties to allow them to purchase new homes. For these borrowers, SONYMA will offer closing cost assistance and waive the first-time homebuyer and other requirements. Additionally, SONYMA will work with families and individuals in the affected counties who currently have a SONYMA mortgage to help address their concerns about how their mortgage obligations will be affected by this natural disaster.

AHC will make available up to $10 million in grants to assist eligible homeowners purchasing new or rehabilitated homes and, where appropriate, to make repairs to existing homes. Grants are not made directly to individual homebuyers or homeowners, but to eligible government and non-government sponsors that develop affordable housing or assist homeowners in funding necessary repairs. The grants can provide up to $35,000 per unit of assistance subject to AHC's normal programmatic requirements. One requirement is that AHC funds cannot exceed 60% of the total development cost. Additionally, if an AHC grant is used to assist in the acquisition of an existing home, at least 51% of the grant must be dedicated to the rehabilitation of the home.

The $30 million in DHCR-administered funding for aid to disaster areas was approved under the Low Income Housing Trust Fund program, the HOME program, the Federal Low Income Housing Credit program, the New York Main Street program, the Access to Home program, and the RESTORE program. In addition, DHCR is also making rental assistance available for the affected counties. Families displaced by the floods that are in immediate need of housing and who meet program criteria will be given first preference in the selection process for 100 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. In order to be considered for Section 8 assistance, a referral from a FEMA Disaster Assistance Center will be required. All such assistance will be provided in accordance with DHCR's Voucher Program Statewide Administrative Plan. In the wake of natural flooding disasters, property owners may face difficult options in deciding whether to spend precious resources to rebuild in areas likely to experience future repetitive and catastrophic flooding. With the support of their communities, many families in harm's way have rebuilt their lives and created new homes in safer locations. The Federal Emergency Management Agency's Hazard Mitigation Program, in combination with state and local resources, provides states and communities with the ability to offer property owners this option of moving to safer ground. Under this program, local governments can acquire from willing sellers property that is likely to experience future flooding, and thereby prevent future losses of life and property.

To support homeowners who choose this option, the State will provide up to $5 million, as the combined State and local match for land acquisition under the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Program. Since it is anticipated that Federal funds will be available for the full 75% Federal share, as much as $20 million is expected to be made available for land acquisition under this program.

FEMA funds for this program are expected to be available this fall. The State will work with the local communities in the flood disaster area to explain program specifics and how they can begin identifying properties likely to qualify for this program. While the State is responsible for prioritizing and selecting individual projects under the program, and submitting them to FEMA for approval, individual projects must be consistent with the State's mitigation planning objectives, and local communities may recommend specific projects to the State. This is an entirely voluntary program for property owners. After the property is acquired by the local community, it must be restricted to open space, recreational and wetlands management uses in perpetuity. Additional information on how the program works can be found on the FEMA website at: www.fema.gov/government/grant/hmgp/index.shtm.

For more information on DHCR and its programs, please visit www.dhcr.state.ny.us or call 1-866-ASK-DHCR. More information about SONYMA and AHC assistance for homeowners in the counties hardest-hit by the floods of 2006 is available at www.nyhomes.org.

Friday's announcement of housing assistance by the Governor brings the total amount of disaster relief funds available to $110 million. The housing assistance funding of $50 million is in addition to the $60 million in disaster relief funds already made available. The $35 million New York State Flood Relief Program centers around the $25 million State Individual and Family Grant Program, which provides individuals, families, and small businesses with grants of up to $5,000 for documented flood losses not covered by insurance or other government programs. This assistance program is administered by the State Department of Labor.

The State's $25 million Comprehensive Flood Relief Package supplements existing federal disaster relief programs and addresses potential gaps in insurance coverage and eligibility for residents, and small and large businesses that were impacted by flooding. ESD's Small Business Flood Recovery Grant Program, a $12 million program, is available as well as an additional $10 million in discretionary Economic Development Fund Grants for non-retail businesses suffering substantial damage and employing more than 100 employees. Three million dollars from the Governor's Office for Small Cities (GOSC) has been made available to residents impacted by the flooding for grants of up to $2,500 to assist with immediate housing needs caused by flooding. GOSC will work with local governments to disburse the funds to eligible recipients.

A toll-free hotline was established by Governor Pataki to assist flood victims with the State Individual and Family Grant (IFG) applications. The phone number is 1-888-7-NYS-AID (1-888-769-7243). Operators are available from Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Information on all of New York State's flood relief programs is available at www.ny.gov under Flood Relief.

In addition,13 Disaster Assistance Service Centers are currently operating in Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Herkimer, Montgomery, Otsego, Sullivan and Tioga counties. 7-21-06

© 2006 North Country Gazette