in and around the Village unlike that seen in other parts of the south shore of Long Island. Much of the Village’s Storm relief was focused on, providing access to shelters for those in no heat conditions as well as removing the tens of dozens of trees, debris and garbage that have littered the public rights of way. The Village of Hempstead’s Department of Public Works must be commended for their swift and responsive action during this time. However, this storm was an unforeseen event that will cost us tax payers hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars. The real question is, will we receive any Federal assistance in light of the fact we did not sustain major devastation? So, what will the Federal assistance provide? The first bill offered funding to the national flood insurance scheme. The second bill offered funding for mitigation projects, primarily funding the Army Corp of Engineers, so we understand, that will fund Federal public works projects including rebuilding barrier islands, the boardwalk etc. The third tranche of funding is expected to fund rebuilding efforts through Housing and Community Development Block Grant programs (a formula grant based on our poverty rates). For the Village of Hempstead we are the fourth largest municipal participant (in the Nassau County Urban Consortium) and over the last decade we have seen a cumulative decline in funding from approximately $1.7 million in 2003 to $1 million in 2013. The Neighborhood Preservation Program (NSP) funding which was created
to bring relief to distressed communities such as ours during the housing crisis and directly administered by the County with none of the funding granted directly to us as a sub-recipient partner community. Some residents may know that the Agency has been losing over $588,000 annually to repay the defaulted loan on 100 Main Street (the old bus terminal converted to retail spaces) which means that the Village will only receive this year, approximately $428,000 to fund all of its programs and projects if no additional funding is received. Many homeowners have asked me, what is the Community Development Agency doing for those who need help post- Sandy, and my response sadly is not much we can do, unless we are provided with some of the grant dollars to help. Most of the Agency’s focus has been on assisting the moderate income homeowner and the small mom and pop businesses in downtown Hempstead. The regionalization of program funding both at the Federal and State levels is working to deminish the voice of smaller communities such as ours and communities of color. Homeowners who have been affected by Sandy and have exceeded their insurance limits have some options offered by FEMA. Visit their website at www. fema.gov. There are funds for small businesses, those that were temporarily out of work, and those that need additional money to rebuild. The process I am told is not smooth but with patience the system will (eventually) work for you.
Most of the Agency’s focus has been on assisting the moderate income homeowner and the small mom and pop businesses in downtown Hempstead.”
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