It has been nearly seven months since Hurricane Sandy struck, but many of the storm’s evacuees have not yet been able to move back into their homes or found other living accommodations. Approximately 900 displaced people have been living in hotels around New York City, and city officials were ready to kick them out – until a judge granted them a reprieve on Wednesday.
NYC Getting $1.8B in Federal Storm Recovery Aid
According to the New York Times, NYC officials had set a May 31st deadline to end accommodations for the 900 residents – some of whom have rejected housing offered to them or had either insufficient income or other issues that make them ineligible for the housing currently available.
Advocates for the storm victims have been very vocal about extending the program to avoid the risk of making residents homeless. Justice Margaret A. Chan agreed.
In a ruling on Wednesday, she questioned the decision to end the hotel program, as New York City will soon receive $1.8 billion in federal storm recovery aid. That includes $9 million for two-year rental subsidies intended for low-income residents or people at risk of becoming homeless – which she said was a reasonable option under the circumstances.
How Much Time Is “Reasonable?”
That’s a question many homeowners are asking as they continue to wait for their insurance companies to pay on their policies. In most instances, the likely answer is – the time for reasonableness is over. It’s been seven months since Hurricane Sandy hit the coast of New York and New Jersey and insurance companies have had more than adequate time to make amends.
If your insurance company has delayed your legitimate payment, offered you a low settlement or denied your claim, contact Belluck & Fox. We are dedicated to providing exceptional client service and securing maximum compensation for victims of Hurricane Sandy.