"Build it Back" Program Letting Down Residents in the Rockaways

Build it Back, a program aimed at home recovery in neighborhoods badly damaged by Hurricane Sandy, is not delivering in South Queens. Queens Courier writes that residents, civic leaders and officials are calling for the program to be completely revamped and placed on top of Mayor de Blasio’s priority list. The President of the Broad Channel Civic Association called the program “a complete disaster,” with some residents still waiting for money promised and many more getting held up with slow responses, lost paperwork and bad communication. One big issue was that the program couldn’t move ahead to help residents demolish their houses because the funds weren’t allocated for use until next year.

Borough President Katz facilitated a discussion of these issues earlier this month. Build it Back’s program director, Kathryn Mallon, is trying to address complaints and reorganize their priority list to address Rockaway residents with the most need. And according to the Chronicle, a source close to Mayor de Blasio’s office says the mayor plans to “engage the communities to find ways to make the program work.”

Sandy Victims Unhappy with ‘Build it Back’ [Queens Chronicle]