Community Corner
Sandy Recovery Aid Center Opens in Ossining
The Ossining site, in the Municipal Building at 16 Croton Ave., is one of two in the county.
Westchester residents with businesses or homes affected by Hurricane Sandy can have streamlined access to recovery aid today and tomorrow.
“We are happy to host the Sandy Help Team in Ossining and hope that they will provide the invaluable assistance our residents and businesses so badly need,” said Ossining Mayor Bill Hanauer.
Two Sandy Help Centers will operate in Westchester from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 29 and 30.
- In Westchester, the two Sandy Help Centers are open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at: Village Hall, 85 Main St., Irvington, NY 10533
- Municipal Building, 16 Croton Ave., Ossining, NY 10562
They're designed as a resource to help homeowners and business affected by Sandy for recovery aid for things like home repairs, elevations, and buyouts; mitigation assistance, and small business assistance.
To access it, local residents can simply come (appointments are not required) and discuss their need for aid with trained state and local representatives and file an initial application for aid. After filing an initial application, a meeting with a disaster recovery representative will be scheduled.
U.S. Congresswoman Nita Lowey, a top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, helped secure the passing of the $60 billion package in federal funds to provide aid help citizens recover from Sandy.
“Superstorm Sandy devastated businesses and homes in Westchester County. In Sandy’s wake, federal support has been essential in helping communities get back on their feet,” said Lowey. “I am pleased that Westchester residents will be able to receive direct assistance in their own communities this week as they continue to rebuild and recover.”
Lowey announced that President Obama has approved a 90% reimbursement level for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance funds to reimburse local communities for their costs for responding to Sandy.
Until now local municipalities could only get 75 percent of their costs cover by FEMA.
“We greatly appreciate this additional layer of federal assistance as the Village of Ossining continues to recover from Superstorm Sandy, and we thank Congresswoman Lowey for her continued advocacy for the interests of our residents and merchants,” said Hanauer.
For more information on how to apply for assistance visit http://nysandyhelp.ny.gov or http://lowey.house.gov, or contact the Congresswoman’s Westchester County District Office at (914) 428-1707.
* Lanning Tailaferro contributed to this report
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