The city’s Rapid Repairs program completed work on more than 10,000 houses hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy, according to a report released by the mayor’s office today.
Emergency repairs on heat, power and hot water were free for residents who needed to return to their homes. FEMA funded most of the home repair program.
“So far, the groundbreaking Rapid Repairs program has helped more than 10,000 families take a major step down the road to recovery from one of the worst natural disasters in this city’s history – and it is on track to help thousands more,” Mayor Bloomberg said.
The program was criticized months after the storm for not being quick enough to restore some of the most ravaged neighborhoods. In December 2012, only 400 houses were reportedly repaired of the more than 10,000 requests filed.
The initiative was created as a way to divert funds from housing homeless residents to fixing the permanent issue by repairing homes.