A report by Strike Debt on the disaster wrought by Hurricane Sandy
and the government’s response. This is a preliminary and living public
service document that highlights the use of loans as the main form of
assistance to help those affected better understand the choices being
imposed on them. You are not a loan!
INTRODUCTION
This report is a preliminary and living document highlighting the
economic effects of Hurricane Sandy on New York City. It examines how
the use of loans as the main form of “aid” to disaster-impacted
communities is not effective at addressing individual or community
needs. Further, the use of loans may lead to disastrous longer- term
economic consequences for the impacted communities.
Although Hurricane Sandy was the first “Frankenstorm” to hit New York
City, in recent years climate disasters have become a regular sight on
the evening news. From Hurricanes Katrina and Irene to Midwestern
droughts and wildfires in the Southwest, many communities are facing
these types of crises all across the country. As our climate has
changed, the burden of the cost of disaster has also been shifting.
Individuals are now expected to shoulder relief expenses that used to be
shared publicly. Victims are faced with long-term, unexpected economic
consequences as well as displacement from the communities they call
home.
This report was compiled based on observations made at a community
meeting in Midland Beach, Staten Island on November 18, 2012, as well as
on interviews with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Small
Business Association (SBA) representatives, legal assistance
volunteers, volunteer relief workers, local business owners and
community members throughout New York City. Data was drawn from
newspaper articles, statements from advocacy organizations and official
reports.
FINDINGS
- The economic costs of the disaster are placed on individuals.
Federal aid programs require victims to first apply for loans before
qualifying to apply for FEMA aid.
- “Aid” programs favor those who can take on debt. Preexisting inequalities are further exacerbated by this form of aid.
- Federal programs are inflexible and fail to meet even basic needs of affected individuals and communities.
- Relief options are not clearly communicated or well understood.
Policies are so complex that even lawyers are confused and are “learning
as they go.”
- Mold is at a crisis level. Residents will not receive FEMA aid to
pay for the mold remediation necessary to make their properties even
temporarily livable.
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Bloomberg and a small party accompanying him were whisked off in
black cars. He missed a greeting from community members in an area still
reeling from Hurricane Sandy, with quickly-lettered signs: “Rockaways
in Health Crisis,” “We Need Safer Housing.” Bloomberg made his way to
the still-shuttered offices of The Wave, the Rockaways weekly newspaper.
As word spread about the stealth visit, a crowd gathered outside hoping
to explain those signs to the mayor: a month after Sandy hit, swamping
homes with seawater, many residents—homeowners and tenants—are still
living without electricity, without heat, without working appliances,
with black mold taking hold of walls and other surfaces. Temporary
housing is desperately needed, absentee landlords must fix their
properties.
The mayor emerged behind a row of police, thanked the group, and was
quickly driven away—avoiding a repeat of his November 4 visit when
residents lambasted him for ignoring them.
THE CRISIS AND STATEMENT
Hurricane Sandy is an ongoing tragedy that for many people is only
getting worse.
Residents, community organizations and city, state, and federal agencies
must come together to address the IMMEDIATE crisis that is worsening as
the weather gets colder.
A month after Hurricane Sandy, thousands remain without electricity,
heat, water, healthy food, basic healthcare, adequate housing, or even
temporary shelter.
Here is a statement from a group of individuals and residents who
have been working in the affected communities with Occupy Sandy:
1) HOUSING
Long before Sandy hit, New York City already ranked high for
homelessness. Now, tens of thousands of New Yorkers have been displaced,
while many more are living in unsafe, moldy houses. Many NYCHA
residents have been forced to pay full rent while having no heat and, in
some cases, no water or electricity for weeks.
There should be an immediate housing plan that addresses their needs;
it would include: extending the NYCHA rent credit to cover November and
December to account for lost wages and the storm’s true impact;
providing sufficient federal disaster relief funding to NYCHA, and
employing NYCHA residents for building repairs instead of outsourcing
jobs.
A recent census found 2,489 vacancies in 20 City Council districts
that could house 200,000 people. In Far Rockaway, there are 384 lots
that could be used to set up housing for 31,696 people immediately,
keeping families close to their community networks. The City of New York
should seize this opportunity to set a global precedent that would
address both the immediate crisis as well as create housing for the tens
of thousands who were homeless before the storm.
2) HEALTH
The storm has compounded an already existing health crisis in NYC.
Now, families are living in unsafe homes, there is not enough access to
primary care physicians, mental health practitioners and health care
facilities in affected communities, and it has become even more
difficult for those in impacted areas to access healthy food.
FEMA and Red Cross should work with volunteer healthcare
infrastructures to set up more clinics to dispense necessary
prescriptions and trauma counseling, and should direct money toward
supplying healthy food to those in need — instead of canned goods,
military rations, and other food high in sodium.
3) SAFETY NET SERVICES
Workers are being or have been deducted pay from jobs they cannot
physically get to, many are unaware of FEMA benefits and deadlines, and
private insurers are denying many claims. The Red Cross should dedicate
some of its Sandy recovery funds to public information campaigns that
inform employers and employees of their rights and what services are
available. FEMA should be out canvassing neighborhoods with interpreters
in order to ensure that all individuals impacted by the storm know
their rights. FEMA should also organize weekly or twice weekly mass
mailings for a minimum of four weeks, distributing leaflets in multiple
languages, notifying people of available assistance and pertinent
deadlines.
Already many residents are being denied FEMA assistance because they
have insurance while their insurance companies are denying claims. The
Attorney General should immediately intervene on behalf of residents who
are unable to make repairs and in danger of losing everything because
of these discrepancies.
4) TRANSPARENCY AND COMMUNITY INCLUSION
The influx of relief money coming into the region provides an
opportunity for healthy, environmentally sustainable rebuilding with the
inclusion of communities and community-based organizations.
We call for a public task force to monitor the use of funds and
create structures that encourage community participation to help
sustainably rebuild NYC in a way that prepares for today’s environmental
challenges.
STAY INFORMED AND TAKE ACTION
From the start, Occupy Wall Street has always been a disaster
recovery effort propelled by the power of the people to rebuild a better
future. We, along with our many allies, have been dedicated to more
than just addressing economic inequality. We believed, and continue to
believe, that New York City can reverse its role as the capitol of
economic inequality, homelessness and corporate control over our
democracy, and become a model for addressing the needs of its residents
while promoting their dignity and ability to help shape our future.
In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, yet again we see both an opportunity
and a threat. As Hurricane Katrina showed, moments of devastation and
rebuilding can lead to the return of the status quo, or worse —
gentrification, displacement and continued privatization of basic
services and jobs.
- We are dedicated to seeing that that does not happen here in New York City.
- And we are dedicated to ensuring participation and transparency in this process.
- We know another world is possible and we are committed to working with our neighbors to build it.
STAND WITH US!
