New Report Spotlights Sandy's Hardest Hit

3/6/2013

Enterprise Community Partners and the NYU Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy today released an analysis of data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) examining Superstorm Sandy's impact on New Jersey. The report found that the largest group affected by Sandy's devastation are renters earning less than $30,000 annually. On the report, the Housing and Community Development Network's Director of Policy and Advocacy Staci Berger issued the following statement:

"We've known that Sandy's devastation has had a widespread impact. People have lost their homes and businesses that they've shed blood, sweat, and tears over. Despite the disaster they’ve faced, we have not yet heard much about restoring homes for low-income renters.

"This report shows the devastation they have faced: 43 percent of those impacted by Sandy are renters and of that number, 67 percent make less than $30,000 a year. New Jersey already had a shortage of affordable rental homes before the storm, what happens to those people now? We hope Governor Christie will take action to give low-income renters the same priority as homeowners, small businesses and shore tourism. Everyone deserves a fair shot at restoring their home and building for their future. 

"New Jersey’s rental housing market is one of the most expensive, year after year.  We need to create more affordable rental homes for everyone, but especially for very low-income families who were already harmed by the economic tsunami of the last few years. We look forward to seeing the governor’s plan to create more rental homes in the state’s housing plan, to ensure that our all of our residents and our economy can rebuild and rebound.”

The Enterprise Report is available here. The NYU Furman Center Report is available here.   

The Housing and Community Development Network supports New Jersey’s community development sector, collaborating with more than 250 members including community development corporations and other organizations to create affordable homes, expand economic opportunities, and build strong communities. For more information on the Network, visit www.hcdnnj.org.

For more information: Nina Arce
Housing & Community Development Network of NJ
(609) 393-3752 x12
[email protected]
Twitter site:  twitter.com/hcdnnj
Facebook site:  facebook.com/hcdnnj