As Winter Sets In, Schumer Calls On Fema To Extend Deadline For Broome And Delaware County Residents

Press Release

As Winter Sets In, Schumer Calls On Fema To Extend Deadline For Broome And Delaware County Residents Who Are In Jeopardy Of Losing Their Fema-Owned Trailers During The Holiday Season

Approximately 17 Families Across Broome and Delaware Counties Are Living in FEMA Housing Units After their Homes Were Destroyed in the June 2006 Storms

The Families will be Forced to Leave their Houses Before the End of December or Start Paying Rent at Up to 40% of their Income Unless FEMA Grants them a Six-Month Extension

Schumer: With Winter Setting in, Now is Not the Time for FEMA to Turn its Back on These Residents

With winter setting in and approximately 17 families across the Southern Tier at risk of losing their FEMA-owned housing units, today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on FEMA to grant the families a six-month extension so they have additional time to find alternative residencies. An estimated seventeen families in Broome and Delaware counties are living in FEMA-owned trailers following the destruction of their homes due to severe storms and flooding in June 2006. However, these families have only until the end of December to find new residencies or will be forced to pay rent at up to 30% to 40% of their income.

In a letter to FEMA, Schumer today called on the agency to approve the New York State Emergency Management Office (SEMO)'s request for a six-month extension of the Individuals and Households Program (IHP) which would give Southern Tier residents in the FEMA-owned units additional time to safely relocate into new homes.

"Families in Broome and Delaware counties should not be forced to look for new homes in the middle of the freezing winter this holiday season," said Senator Schumer. "Today I'm calling on FEMA to make sure these families are not left out in the cold, and that they have the necessary time to find safe and affordable housing to move into. Now is not the time for the federal government to turn its back on these residents who have already endured so much."

Schumer today sent the letter below to FEMA in support of SEMO's request for a six-month extension for families in Broome and Delaware Counties who are currently at risk of losing their FEMA-owned trailers.

Dear Mr. Kempf,

I write today in support of the request from the New York State Emergency Management Office (SEMO) for a six-month extension of the Individuals and Households Program (IHP) for the severe storms and flooding that occurred in June 2006, FEMA-1650-DR-NY.

It is my understanding that there are at least 17 families in New York currently living in FEMA housing units at this time, as a result of losing their permanent residence in the June 2006 storms. Due to a variety of factors in this rural region, including limited availability of affordable housing, these families have been unable to secure permanent housing in the wake of the storm. These families are being monitored on a weekly basis to ensure that they progress towards a permanent solution, and SEMO has pledged to work with other agencies within the State and region to continue to help these families get back on their feet.

A six-month extension from FEMA will provide vital assistance by ensuring that these families continue to receive the temporary assistance they so desperately need as they work to find permanent housing.

Sincerely,

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer

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