Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Director of Housing Recovery Operations Brad Gair today announced NYC Rapid Repairs, a new program to send teams of contractors and City inspectors into neighborhoods impacted by Hurricane Sandy and quickly and efficiently make necessary repairs to damaged homes. Through an unprecedented partnership between the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the City, we are bringing in contractors who will be given responsibility for specific geographic areas hard hit by Sandy.  These contractors will be responsible for repairing the homes of anyone who wants to take part in NYC Rapid Repairs. Under the typical FEMA process, it is up to the homeowner to arrange for repair work and carry it out, but this new system will make repairs happen more quickly and efficiently. Beginning Tuesday, homeowners will be able sign up for NYC Rapid Repairs by going NYC.gov or by calling 311. They will need a FEMA ID number, which they can get by registering at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362. The Rapid Repair teams will work closely with City agencies, including the Department of Buildings, to make sure that any necessary inspections and certifications are done as quickly as possible. The Mayor made the announcement at City Hall.

"In the neighborhoods hardest hit by Sandy, homeowners need help fixing their homes - and they need it now," said Mayor Bloomberg. "We've come up with an innovative and unprecedented way to bring government resources to bear on this recovery effort. Every homeowner should know that their City government is committed to helping them rebuild."

"The NYC Rapid Repairs program will leverage government and private sector resources to return New Yorkers to their homes as quickly as possible," said Deputy Mayor for Operations Caswell F. Holloway.

"Mayor Bloomberg and our entire Administration are committed to getting every New Yorker displaced by Hurricane Sandy back in their homes or new homes as quickly as possible," Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert K. Steel said. "With this innovative new program, the City will lead the effort to get more home repairs done more quickly and more efficiently."

"The best temporary solution is always a permanent solution," said Director of Housing Recovery Operations Gair. "One way to limit the number of temporary housing needed is to get homeowners back in the places they already live - this program will let us do that quickly and efficiently."