"Nassau County - Long Island, New York"

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano today announced that the Nassau Hurricane Recovery Fund (NHRF) is now accepting applications from Nassau County residents who are not entitled to financial reimbursement from FEMA, do not have homeowners or flood insurance, are not receiving assistance from other government relief program, or whose losses and damage far exceed insurance and/or FEMA coverage, may now apply for financial assistance from the Nassau Hurricane Recovery Fund.

County Executive Mangano announced the creation of the NHRF in late November 2012 to help satisfy the unmet needs of the thousands of Nassau residents devastated by Hurricane Sandy.

County Executive Mangano stated, “With the storm devastating the lives of thousands of our residents, it is incumbent upon our community to do all we can to aid residents in their recovery and rebuilding efforts. The Nassau Hurricane Recovery Fund will assist in achieving that goal.”

A new website, https://apps.nassaucountyny.gov/recoveryfund/ was today launched to help disseminate application forms to Hurricane Sandy victims and also further solicit donations from those citizens interested in helping their friends and neighbors in Nassau County that continue to struggle from storm damage. Contributions can be made to:

The Nassau Hurricane Recovery Fund

c/o Nassau County Police Department

1490 Franklin Avenue

Two months after Sandy struck, some Nassau residents are just beginning to rebuild. Many lost not only home and property but also income as destruction from the storm closed roads and businesses for days afterward. More than 35,725 Nassau residents were displaced and requested housing assistance from FEMA and more than 34,602 personal automobiles were damaged or destroyed in the storm. Approximately 2,200 New York residents whose homes are uninhabitable are still being housed in hotels and motels.

County Executive Mangano established The Nassau Hurricane Recovery Fund, a not-for-profit corporation, and established the NHRF’s Board of Directors to accept and distribute monetary donations made by the public. The Board is comprised of all unpaid members, and is chaired by the Rev. Kevin Smith, Chaplain for Nassau County’s Volunteer Fire Department. Committee members include the chaplains from the Nassau Police Department: Rev. Gerard Gordon; Rev. Joseph D’Angelo; Rabbi Barry Dov Schwartz; Rabbi Abraham Lefkowitz; and Bishop Robert Harris.

Although the NHRF is primarily focused on helping residents recovery, small businesses are eligible for free sales tax exemptions of up to $99,000 through Nassau County’s Local Enterprise Assistance and Development Services (LEADS). The exemptions, administered by the Nassau County Industrial Development Agency (IDA), may be used on purchases of building supplies and equipment to rebuild. To date, 25 business have received tax exemptions totaling $500,000. Small business owners that suffered storm damage are encouraged to call the Nassau County Economic Recovery Task Force hotline at (516) 571-1745, email LEADS@NassauIDA.org or visit www.nassaubackinbusiness.org.

Nassau Hurricane Recovery Fund Now Accepting Applications