NYCHA receives $3B FEMA grant for Sandy repairs

Funds will go toward improving and protecting 33 public housing buildings during a future storm

The aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in 2012 in Lower Manhattan (left) and the Rockaways (right)
The aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in 2012 in Lower Manhattan (left) and the Rockaways (right)

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is providing a $3 billion grant to the city for repairs from Hurricane Sandy and protection against possible future storms.

It’s the agency’s largest grant ever, according to Bloomberg. The money will go toward more secure lobbies with better lighting, better security cameras as well as boilers and electrical equipment benefiting roughly 80,000 tenants of the New York City Housing Authority, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced during a press conference in Red Hook on Tuesday.

“It will allow us to fortify buildings and utilities so that they’re resilient,” the mayor said, “and residents are much more protected the next time extreme weather hits.”

With the money — which will be used for repairs at roughly 33 NYCHA buildings — electrical and heating systems will be moved to higher ground and new barriers for low-lying buildings near the water will be created. The funds will also pay for stand-by generators to use during a power outage.

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“We had the devastation of Sandy, but it gave us the capital to rebuild parts of NYCHA better than before,” Senator Chuck Schumer said. “Even people not affected by Sandy, their lives are going to be made much better.” [Bloomberg]Claire Moses