Build It Back Program Status Report Shows 90 Percent Of Applications Say They've Received No Help
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Out of the 14,000 applications submitted to the Built it Back program, 90 percent said they have not seen any help, according to a status report from the city's Department of Investigation.
"Poor communication or no communication, lost paperwork, no one getting back to them, very complex, confusing regulations," City Councilman Mark Treyger, of Coney Island, said of problems cited.
An additional 6,000 applications either withdrew or are no longer responding to the city, WCBS 880's Jim Smith reported.
Build It Back Program Status Report Shows 90 Percent Of Applications Say They've Received No Help
"These are people who have probably given up," Treyger said, who also holds a chair on the recovery committee.
"We refuse to wait any more, but we have very limited funds," Broad Channel resident Bob Badamo told CBS 2's Carolyn Gusoff.
Their frustrations echoed across still hurting neighborhoods.
"Since they keep promising something, we are in limbo," fellow resident Robin Lopez said.
"I don't know where I stand because no one has gotten back to me," Gene Guttieri said.
But Amy Peterson, director of the Mayor's Office of Housing Recovery, says the de Blasio administration was handed a program which hadn't even begun.
"We, before anyone else, recognize that we still have to help every homeowner and there's a long way to go," she said.
"I meet with homeowners every day and I'm as frustrated as they are. The program started out really slowly a year ago and we've taken great steps to speed that up," Peterson told CBS 2.
Joe Panetta is thrilled with his new house, but says it took persistence.
"It's tough. You've got to fight with them. But in the end, they are all looking to help," he said.
As of October, the often-criticized initiative to rebuild Superstorm Sandy-damaged homes reports 667 construction starts and has issued 772 reimbursement checks, totaling approximately $13 million; they also say the number of program contractors and design firms have recently expanded.
As Gusoff reported, there is no firm number on how many applicants have thrown in the towel.
"We have much more work to do…and Build it Back will continue to expedite relief until every homeowner is served," the mayor's spokesperson said.
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