Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 23, 2015
Contact: media@nycha.nyc.gov | (212) 306-3322

NYCHA ENHANCES TRANSPARENCY WITH LAUNCH OF NEW INTERACTIVE SANDY RECOVERY MAP

Public information tool provides details on FEMA-funded projects, spending, and contractors related to Sandy recovery and resiliency efforts

NEW YORK—The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) announced the launch of the Interactive Sandy Transparency Map, a new digital tool to locate information on recovery and resiliency work at NYCHA developments severely damaged by Hurricane Sandy. The interactive map provides NYCHA residents and the public with access to regular information on spending and status updates on work related to the $3 billion in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding. Today, the NYCHA Board approved roughly $54 million in major reconstruction work at Ocean Bay-Oceanside to move forward, which is scheduled to start in early 2016. Currently, 17—or more than half of NYCHA’s Sandy-sites are undergoing initial reconstruction, including boiler demolition, apartment repairs, electrical upgrades and asbestos remediation.

The public can use the Interactive Sandy Transparency Map to learn more information about FEMA-funded reconstruction and resiliency projects at more than 30 NYCHA developments, including the scope of work, project phase (planning, design, and construction), estimated funding levels and timelines, renderings and contractor details. [See Guide]

“This year, NYCHA has focused getting resources to our developments more efficiently, enhancing resident communications, and shining a bright light onto how we do business by disclosing our contract and award information on our website for the first time ever,” said NYCHA Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye. “The launch of the Sandy Recovery tracker map is another example of NYCHA’s ongoing commitment to real reform, transparency and accountability.”

Over the past three years, NYCHA pursued and continues to pursue every funding stream available to help in recovery and resiliency efforts. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reached an agreement with NYCHA earlier this year to provide $3 billion in Sandy recovery assistance—the largest single award in FEMA history. Marking NYCHA’s new phase of Sandy Recovery, the Authority created the Sandy Recovery webpage this Fall as a hub for information related to NYCHA’s ongoing rebuilding efforts.

The impact of Superstorm Sandy in October 2012 crippled much of New York City, including 10 percent of NYCHA’s developments. Eighty thousand residents in more than 400 buildings in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and Staten Island were significantly affected by the storm and many are still feeling the impact today.

More information about NYCHA’s Recovery & Resiliency Program can be found with this fact sheet.

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