Keeping an Eye on Hurricane Sandy Recovery Money....

Keeping an Eye on Hurricane Sandy Recovery Money  Weekly News Round-up: March 13 - 20 In This Issue This week's news Regional Events Advocacy Reports Federal, State & Local Resources Have you heard? Good Jobs New York launched a new Eye on Hurricane Sandy Money database to help boost transparency about how much and which government agencies have allocated Hurricane Sandy funds in New York City.  Check it out - and tell us what you think! Transparency Tip from the Electronic Frontier Foundation How to Track Government Projects Like a Defense Contractor Also, in the spirit of Sunshine Week... Learn more about how the New York City Industrial Development Agency plans to implement new transparency mechanisms. The IDA was responsible for allocating benefits through the Hurricane Emergency Sales Tax Exemption Program. A list of those companies is available in our database. Like our weekly round-up? Please forward to a friend. This Week's News Disaster Relief The New York Times editorial board criticizes the Christie Administration for mismanaging New Jersey's recovery efforts and suggests that HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan should be more proactive in addressing the inequities and shortcomings of the process.  ALSO: Gov. Christie is under increasing pressure from storm-affected residents who continue to wait for rebuilding funds.    ALSO: Protesters at a recent town hall meeting with Gov. Christie say their motivation to protest came from concern over the Governor's handling of Sandy recovery. Philly.com      New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio criticized the Bloomberg Administration's handling of Hurricane Sandy rebuilding plans but has yet to announce major changes to the City's rebuilding effort. The Wall Street Journal    A new study analyzes the factors that contributed to Occupy Sandy's success in disaster relief and emergency response. Homeland Securities Studies and Analysis      The Staten Island Hunger Task Force held a legislative breakfast last week to call attention to the need to increase services for the Borough's hungry. Staten Island Advance      A letter to the editor cites Hurricane Sandy as an example of why FEMA provides inadequate disaster relief in a new era of extreme weather. Asbury Park Press     Rebuilding Infrastructure and Resiliency Gov. Cuomo's budget withholds $40 million from a fund dedicated to MTA operations expenses at a time when the subway system is dirty and expensive, and overcrowding is exacerbated by long-term repair work from Sandy damage. The New York Times (editorial), Capital New York and Mobilizing the Region blog    A report by the Center for an Urban Future surveys the extent of decaying infrastructure the City must address. A report by SUNY-Albany's Rockefeller Institute warns that Mayor de Blasio has not defined climate change adaptation or infrastructure as key priorities and may reverse many of the previous administration's climate resiliency plans. Crain's New York Business  This week the White House launched climate.data.gov which provides data on the potential effects of climate change on sea level rise, draughts or wildfires presented as maps of neighborhoods. The New York Times and The Washington Post    ALSO: Researchers from Google and Microsoft are collecting data for the new climate change portal. TheStreet.com     The New York City Department of Environmental Protectionannounced it is launching a $25 million stormwater management initiative in three flood-prone Queens neighborhoods.       The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, responsible for repairs and rebuilding of many of the city's beaches and boardwalks, remains without a commissioner. The New York Times   Amtrak cites aging and dangerous Sandy-impacted infrastructure along the Northeast Corridor as reason for major service disruptions in the near future. The Roanoke Times     Rumors are circulating that Walmart is considering opening a store on property it purchased on the border of Queens and Long Island, an area that was heavily damaged by Sandy. Crain's Insiderand Gothamist      A slideshow of some of the photographs from the exhibit "Rising Waters: Photographs of Sandy" at the Museum of the City of New York reveal the violence and magnitude of the storm. The New York Times      Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer is gaining support from residents and energy industry leaders to implement a microgrid in Hoboken to provide back-up electricity. NJ Spotlight        ALSO: Increasingly, energy experts consider microgrids a best practice in helping prevent service disruptions during emergency events while promoting local green energy. Medill Reports Chicago   Housing Representatives from New York City's Department of Housing Preservation and Development and Build it Back said November 2014 is earliest possible date damaged homes will be ready to be reoccupied; many homes in Queens and Staten Island will require special permits and even longer wait times for construction. DNAinfo   For New Jersey residents, FEMA has extended the deadline to apply for temporary housing aid through July. The Star-Ledger   New Jersey Sandy victims languish in trailers as they await repairs to their homes. The Star-Ledger    A review of property value assessments from the New York City Department of Finance reveals that recent New York State home buyouts in Staten Island were more than twice the estimated pre-Sandy market value. The buyout program is run by a contractor, ProSource Technologies, which was the subject of federal audits in Iowa. DNAinfo   Jobs Former New York City Council Member Dominic Recchia launched his campaign for Congress and outlined plans to leverage more funds for rebuilding projects that would translate into jobs for Sandy victims. Staten Island Advance   Events List your upcoming event here! Email elizabeth@goodjobsfirst.org    Upcoming deadlines March 31: Final community plans are due for the State's New York Rising community Reconstruction Program. Online interactive maps for six New York City communities are available for public feedback.     April 11: Final deadline for applicants to the NY Rising program. Online Applications can be found athttp://stormrecovery.ny.gov      Notice of Upcoming Request for Proposals for the Enterprise Community Partners Capacity Building Grants Program. The RFP is expected to be released the week of March 24 and all application materials will be posted online. Responses are due by Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at 5 p.m.Organizations may apply for up to $150,000 across a maximum of three grant program areas. Awards will be announced beginning July 7, 2014.      Regional Events Ongoing, citywide: New York Free Disaster Assistance Legal Clinics.     Wednesday March 26,  9:30 am - 11:30 am: Enterprise's Resilience Speakers Series | Operations and Maintenance for Disaster Preparedness. Enterprise Community Partners. One Whitehall Street 11 Floor New York, NY 10004 Info and webex access.  Friday March 28, 7:30 am - 11:00 am: Fix & Fortify Sandy Recovery Work Contract Opportunities at the MTA. Club 101, 101 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10178.  Monday March 31, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm: Regional Recovery Working Group Workshop for Coastal Communities. New York Institute of Technology Old Westbury Campus, Northern Boulevard & Valentines Lane, Glen Head, NY 11545  Thursday, April 3, 5:00 - 8:00 pm: Rebuild by Design Public Presentations (New York) - the Unveiling of the Final Work. 250 Vesey St, 29th Floor, New York, NY 10281 Thursday, April 3, 8:30 - 11:00 am: Rebuild by Design Public Presentations (New Jersey) - the Unveiling of the Final Work. Liberty Science Center, 222 Jersey City Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07305. Through Sunday, April 6: Rising Waters: Photographs of Sandy at the Museum of the City of New York. 1220 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10029. Thursday, April 10 and Thursday, May 15, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Superstorm Sandy Free Legal Clinic from the Volunteer Lawyers for Justice. Recovery Infomration Center, Moonachie Presbyterian Church, 221 Moonachie road, Moonachie, NJ 07074   Friday, April 25, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm: The Regional Plan Association's 24th Annual Assembly, discussing "A Vision for 2040" and showcasing winners of HUD's Rebuild by Design competition. Waldorf-Astoria, 301 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022. Tuesday, April 29, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. - Multifamily Resiliency Measures. Part of the Enterprise Community Partners 2014 Resiliency Speakers Series of panel presentations exploring long-term recovery challenges and opportunities for the multifamily affordable housing infrastructure in New York City and the surrounding region in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.  Friday, May 23, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. - Flood Resilient Code. Part of the Enterprise Community Partners 2014 Resiliency Speakers Series of panel presentations exploring long-term recovery challenges and opportunities for the multifamily affordable housing infrastructure in New York City and the surrounding region in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.      Brooklyn Saturday, March 22, 1:00 pm: UPROSE & New York City Environmental Justice Alliance in a conversation with the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance. 166A 22nd Street between 3rd and 4th Ave in Brooklyn. RSVP: info@uprose.org     Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 10:00-3:00: Jubilee Legal Clinic, Coney Island Gospel Assembly, 2828 Neptune Avenue. Visit website for additional hours and information including income requirements.    Queens   Wednesday, March 26, 7:00-9:00: Rockaway Boardwalk Project Informational Session #3. Learn about the boardwalk's development and associated job opportunities. PS 43 160 Beach 29th Street    Staten Island Saturday, March 22, 8:00 pm: Superstorm Sandy Benefit Concert, IMPACT. Proceeds benefit the Stephen Siller T2T Hurricane Sandy Relief efforts and their partner rebuild groups. 25 Hyatt Street Staten Island, NY 10301    Advocacy Reports NEW: Center for an Urban Future: Caution Ahead: Overdue Investments for New York's Aging Infrastructure Alliance for a Just Rebuilding: Weathering the Storm: Rebuilding a More Resilient New York City Housing Authority Post-Sandy. Future-Proofing Cities: A report from the U.K. Department for International Development and University College London looking at the risks and opportunities for inclusive urban growth in developing countries. 129 cities, 5 urban types and over 100 practical solutions.statistics and analysis.   Field Guide Set & Trainings For Engaging Faith Communities from the National Disaster Interfaiths Network The International Economic Development Council released Case Studies in Small Business Finance Following a Disaster, a report of six case studies of effective long-term economic recovery efforts of disaster-affected communities. Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development, Inc.: Real Affordability: An Evaluation of the Bloomberg Housing Program and Recommendations to Strengthen Affordable Housing Policy Alliance for a Just Rebuilding: How Sandy Rebuilding Can Reduce Inequality in New York City Rutgers University: Overlooking Oversight: A Lack of Oversight in the Garden State is Placing New Jersey Residents and Assets at Risk.  Ceres report: Cool Response: The SEC & Corporate Climate Change Reporting: SEC Climate Guidance & S&P 500 Reporting - 2010 to 2013. Brooklyn Communities Speak: An Action Guide for Local Decision-Makers Post Sandy. This report from the Brooklyn Community Fund and coalition partners analyzes conditions in six coastal Brooklyn neighborhoods post-Sandy, with recommendations for government agencies on how to address persistent recovery challenges while building resiliency in partnership with local communities.     White Paper prepared by Queens Legal Services: Homes Underwater: Forebearance Alternatives for Sandy-Affected Homeowners    Superstorm Research Lab: A Tale of Two Sandys. This whitepaper, based on interviews with a broad range of Sandy-impacted individuals and aid organizations in New York City, sheds light on the inequalities entwined with Sandy's aftermath and recommendations for addressing inequality. New York City VOAD Volunteer and Construction Committee Resource Guide: This list includes voluntary organizations providing rebuild services in New York City. New report from the Municipal Art Society: All hands on deck: Mobilizing New Yorkers for a Livable and Resilient New York      New Jersey's Fair Share Housing Center documents its concerns that African Americans and Latinos are being rejected from Sandy relief at higher rates than Caucasians. Fair Share Housing Center Blog    Parsons Brinckerhoff produces The Sandy Disaster Awareness Report, a summary of key developments and funding priorities in the region affected by Hurricane Sandy.