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Conn. Church Partners With Stephen Siller Foundation To Provide Temporary Housing For Sandy Victims

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Staten Islanders displaced by Superstorm Sandy may be in for a Christmas miracle, thanks to a Connecticut church donating some of its land for temporary housing.

WCBS 880's Jim Smith reports

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Pastor Frank Santora of Faith Church in New Milford said he wasted no time in offering up a place for Staten Islanders to go.

"It took me about two seconds and I said 'I know of land, about four acres right here on the church property.' We have about 40 acres here," Santora told WCBS 880's Jim Smith. "Our goal is to have these families moved in by the 23rd of December, just in time for Christmas."

MORE: Donate To Stephen Siller Tunnel To Towers Foundation | Donate To Faith Church

The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation will install 25 to 30 completely furnished mobile homes on the 40-acre church property.

"It's going to be fully furnished down to the forks, knives, glasses, and plates," the pastor said.

Santora calls them turn-key homes.

"This will be for a year, they'll be allowed to stay on this site for one year while their homes are being refurbished or built again, in many cases, and put back together," Santora told Smith.

Santora said families will also receive weekly groceries and education at the church's school.

The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation launched a Sandy relief fund right after the storm hit to help hard-hit communities.

The organization is sponsoring the temporary homes through private donations and is also coordinating the application process.

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