Recognizing Superstorm Sandy a Decade Later
On October 29, 2012, superstorm Sandy struck Long Island. CDCLI staff spent the days immediately following the storm reaching out to our client families to assess their needs and connect them to available resources. Over a dozen of our funding partners came forward, enabling us to develop a formal Sandy response. Less than one month after the Storm hit, we initiated the Sandy Housing Recovery Program. Our response included administration of the Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power Program (STEP) in Suffolk County, a Microbial Cleaning and Remediation Program, development of a Sandy Bridge Loan through our CDFI to assist homeowners awaiting their payment from the New York Rising Program, and participation as a member of the Long Island Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. CDCLI’s CEO and Senior Vice President served as members of the Executive Committee charged with directing the long term recovery needs of Long Island’s impacted communities. Read more about CDCLI’s response to Superstorm Sandy below.
The Sandy Housing Recovery Program (SHRP)
was implemented thanks to the generous support from our philanthropic and corporate funding partners. The SHRP team was recruited, hired and began outreach to families affected by the storm. The team works on a long term basis with clients as they navigate the stages of rebuilding their homes and makes referrals to both CDCLI services, and community partner services, as needed.
The Sheltering and Temporary Essential
Power Program (STEP) Pilot Program
was established by FEMA in Suffolk County because of the large number of homes made uninhabitable by superstorm Sandy – and the lack of availability of suitable temporary housing for the impacted residents. The repairs to be made under the program were urgent. Suffolk County leadership identified dozens of qualified contractors with experience evaluating emergency home repair needs to evaluate homes for FEMA STEP services. Through a competitive process Suffolk County selected CDCLI as the entity to provide the necessary administrative oversight to the program. CDCLI worked with Suffolk County on the FEMA STEP program from November 2012 – March 2013. During these four months, we assessed the needs of 485 homeowners and provided repairs to 184 homes, investing $915,645.
The Microbial Cleaning and Remediation
program
was started as a follow-up to our efforts with the SHRP program in August 2013. The pilot program funded through support of the Robin Hood Foundation provided free mold cleaning and remediation services to 75 Sandy impacted homes in the villages of Freeport and Lindenhurst. This program has been brought to scale island-wide to meet the need with support from the American Red Cross, with a goal of assisting an additional 325 families.
More About CDCLI’s Response
Our response also included administration of the Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power Program in Suffolk County, development of a Sandy Bridge Loan through our CDFI to assist homeowners awaiting their payment from the New York Rising Program, and participation as a member of the Long Island Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.
Today
In 2022, 10 years after Superstorm Sandy hit the Island, we reflect on the tragedy of Hurricane Sandy but also remember the unity it brought to Long Island. We continue to strive for solutions that foster and maintain vibrant, equitable, and sustainable communities so that when emergencies occur, we are prepared to help Long Islanders. This idea ties into our 2022 Annual Luncheon theme, “Together Towards Tomorrow”. We are excited for the future of CDCLI, its partners, and Long Island.