About

The Sandy Neighborhood Design HelpDesk is a partnership between LISC, Enterprise Community Partners, Inc., the Center for New York City Neighborhoods, the Pratt Center for Community Development, the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, the Housing Recovery Office, as well as local community-based organizations that will work together to engage in Sandy recovery efforts.

We are now working to plan six to eight HelpDesks as a series of temporary design centers in Sandy-impacted communities, that will provide homeowners and building owners with free, one-on-one architectural, insurance, and mortgage consultations specific to their properties.

While generic information on flood-resistant design, code, zoning, and insurance requirements, and available financial assistance is available from many sources, the varied nature of New York City’s building stock, and the disparate financial circumstances of Sandy-impacted residents and building owners, mean that many people need individualized professional advice that takes account of their specific physical and financial situations.  The HelpDesks will serve as a critical resource to guide residents in their rebuilding and rehabilitation decisions.

Each three-day HelpDesk will be staffed by a team of architects with specific training in New York City Zoning and Building Code provisions applicable to floodproofing, alongside mortgage and insurance counselors who will provide free consultations to homeowners, tenants, and small business owners on flood resilient building code, zoning, design, and insurance issues.  These three-day events will provide residents navigating the complex system of recovery programs with information needed to make the best decisions for their property and their families. Architectural staff will include experienced professionals who will be supported by volunteers. The volunteers will assist with intake, research, preparation of sketches, etc. Clients will be able to walk in, or to schedule a consultation online.


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