NYC Build It Back Newsletter

As NYC Build it Back is working hard to get New Yorkers back into safe and sustainable housing as quickly as possible, we want to provide you with some recent program highlights and updates. Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.

In this newsletter:   · Build it Back Customer Processing Updates  · Build It Back Center Opens in Far Rockaway · Customer Service Q&A · Build it Back Centers Open on MLK Day   Build it Back Customer Processing Updates Build it Back is currently scheduling damage assessments and Option Review Meetings at increasing rates. 2,915 damage assessments have been completed to date and more are scheduled every day. Option Review Meetings are being conducted with customers at an increasing pace as well. Scheduling for an Option Review Meeting will occur after we have verified your household income and the amount of unrepaired storm damage to the property. 1,997 Option Review Meetings have been scheduled, and 656 Option Review Meetings have taken place. At the Option Review Meetings, customers learn more about Build it Back, their preliminary program offering, and their next steps, including any issue resolution needed before they can move into a program offering stage. The intake process is moving toward a close, as more applicants are moving forward into eligibility review every day. We look forward to continuing to serve you throughout the recovery process.  Build it Back Center Opens in Far Rockaway Build it Back, in partnership with the Queens Public Library, is pleased to announce that a new Build it Back center has opened in Far Rockaway, replacing the former Center on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. The new Center is located at 10-01 Beach 20th Street (at the corner of Cornaga Avenue). Please feel free to stop by to ask Build it Back staff any questions you may have, or to drop off documentation to complete your application. We’re excited to continue to serve The Rockaways.   Customer Service Q&A I applied for Build it Back, but my parents are the actual deed holders of our damaged home. What should I do? Build it Back assistance can only be provided to applicants who are owners of Hurricane Sandy-damaged properties. If you have applied for Build it Back assistance but you are not the owner of the property, your eligibility may be at risk. Please notify a Customer Service Representative by email or telephone (212-615-8329) of your situation. We may refer you to our free legal counseling service to help resolve your issues. Please note that this policy does not apply to applicants seeking rental assistance. I want to use my own contractor. Can Build it Back write me a check so that I can repair or rebuild my home myself?  Build it Back will not provide funds directly to applicants to repair or rebuild their homes themselves. Build it Back will pay contractors directly who are registered with the program and agree to follow all program requirements. The Choose Your Own Contractor option is for applicants who have been determined eligible for the Repair or Rebuild program and would like to use a contractor of their choice. If you are interested in the Choose Your Own Contractor option, please review  the “Build it Back Programs” page at nyc.gov/recovery, or by clicking one of the links below: Repair Choose Your Own Contractor Rebuild Choose Your Own Contractor I am no longer interested in receiving assistance from Build it Back. How do I remove myself from the program? If you are no longer interested in Build it Back, we ask that you complete and return a Voluntary Withdrawal Form. The Voluntary Withdrawal form can be found on the “Important Documents” page at nyc.gov/recovery. If you need a copy of the form mailed to you, please contact a Customer Service Representative. You may return the signed form back by email, fax or mail: Email: builditbackdocuments@recovery.nyc.gov Fax: (855) 212-1912        Mail: 14 Murray Street #150, New York NY 10007 I have a question about the status of my application. Whom should I contact? Please contact Build it Back Customer Service by email or telephone (212-615-8329) to ensure that your contact information is correct and to receive updates about your application.   Build it Back Centers Open on MLK Day The five Build It Back Centers will be open for regular business hours on January 20, 2014, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

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