Rebuilding Together and the American Red Cross have joined forces to help bring nearly 90 homes devastated by Hurricane Sandy back to safe and healthy housing conditions. Thanks to a $2.25 million grant from the American Red Cross to Rebuilding Together, these low-income homeowners can look forward to rebuilding their lives and returning to their communities.
Rebuilding Together’s local affiliates and volunteers in New York City, Long Island, Bergen County and Jersey City will be providing free critical home repairs in many of the areas affected by Hurricane Sandy. Most of the homes will require modifications and repairs that may address electrical and plumbing issues, flooring, drywall, appliance replacements, painting, basement and exterior rehabilitation with the goal of ensuring all of the homes are safe, healthy and livable. Those eligible for services include low-income families, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and veterans.
“We greatly appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with the Red Cross in the long-term recovery of communities devastated by Hurricane Sandy,” says John L. Fiegel, interim president and CEO of Rebuilding Together. “Senior citizens and low-income homeowners are among the most vulnerable in times of disaster and we are honored to be a partner with the Red Cross to help nearly 90 families get back on their feet.”
As of July 2013, hard-working Rebuilding Together affiliates in New York City, Long Island, Bergen County, Jersey City and Essex County have already completed more than 200 projects, assisting more than 375 families or individuals with the help of over 2,000 volunteers.
“Recovery from a storm of this size takes time and help from many different organizations, not just the Red Cross, and we are pleased to support the programs of Rebuilding Together and other partners, and to continue to work with them to help people with their recovery,” adds Jerry DeFrancisco, president of Humanitarian Services at the Red Cross. “We can help people and communities in a more comprehensive way when we pool our resources and services together in a coordinated way. This not only speeds recovery, but helps us engage the entire community in building the resilience we need as we face disasters of this type in the future.”
