Eligible residents can apply for up to $50,000 New York State grant to repair home damage by August storm

Homeowners who suffered significant flood damage during last month’s extreme rainstorm can apply for state grants for emergency repairs.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced grants for up to $50,000 for specific emergency repairs under the state’s Division of Homes and Community Renewal. Grants are intended for repairs needed for residents to stay in their homes, such as drywall, roofing, flooring or mold remediation, state officials said.

Income-eligible residents can apply for the grants on a first-come, first-served basis through Oct. 7. The funding is covered as part of $5 million in state emergency funding set aside for Long Island’s Aug. 18-19 storm, officials said.

Non-urgent repairs or repairs to additional structures are not covered by the program.

"After extreme weather events caused major damage across New York State, we are providing emergency assistance for impacted residents to make necessary repairs to ensure their homes are safe and habitable," Hochul said in a statement. "My administration remains committed to assisting homeowners affected by these storms so they can continue to recover from these devastating events."

Hochul said while touring storm damage last month that homeowners and business owners who may not have had flood insurance or may have been denied for damage claims can apply for the grants.

The funding through the state’s Housing Trust Fund Corporation offers emergency home repair assistance and/or reimbursement to impacted homeowners in Nassau and Suffolk counties, the governor’s office said.

There are also income thresholds of 150% of the average median income to qualify for the grants. On Long Island, where the median income is $156,200, the income limit for a family of four to qualify would be $234,300.

Homeowners may not qualify for the full grant and residents will not receive more than $50,000. The program is specifically targeted "to make the home safe, sanitary and habitable."

Suffolk County officials said more than 2,800 residents have reported flood damage through the state’s self-assessment tool after the overnight storm Aug. 18 and 19, which dropped more than 9 inches of rain in a few hours on Suffolk County’s North Shore. Flooding was also reported in parts of Nassau County.

"Suffolk County experienced a catastrophic storm that impacted thousands of residents who are still recovering," Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine said in statement. "As we continue to assess damage and work to provide our communities with relief, I thank our partners in New York State who will provide eligible homeowners with much needed financial assistance."

Suffolk County officials said the damage assessments have topped $41 million, as well as $22 million reported at Stony Brook University alone. Officials said the total storm damage that spanned from Rocky Point to parts of Huntington Town could exceed $100 million.

Hochul and President Joe Biden signed initial disaster declarations after the storm that qualify the Federal Emergency Management Agency to cover 75% of public projects and infrastructure.

County officials are waiting for FEMA to approve a major disaster declaration, which could unleash additional disaster aid to cover specific projects and individual homeowners. The county must submit damage estimates exceeding $37.5 million to qualify.

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.