New York state officials have announced the opening of the Governor's Office of Storm Recovery's Mount Vernon Healthy Homes pilot program.
To kick off the $3 million program, which complements New York State's historic $150 million investment to address longstanding water infrastructure and related public health challenges in this community, officials gathered for an informational session and application Q&A with impacted residents. At the session, residents learned how to apply for the $3 million housing remediation and resiliency pilot program.
On April 15, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul, Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard and Westchester County Executive George Latimer announced $150 million in water infrastructure investment in Mt. Vernon, plus an additional $3 million to assist residents impacted by the sewer and water infrastructure crisis in the city.
The initiative, administered by GOSR and targeted to the most frequently impacted and high-risk properties, will mitigate environmental hazards and make resiliency upgrades to private property. Participating homes may be eligible for repair to wastewater or flood damage, installation of sewage backflow prevention measures, mitigation of lead infiltration to water within homes, and other needed environmental remediation.
"After decades of water and sewer infrastructure challenges in Mount Vernon stemming from longstanding systemic housing inequities, New York is taking bold action," Governor Hochul said. "This $3 million program complements our historic $150 million investment in Mount Vernon's water infrastructure, and we remain committed to working with our partners in the City of Mount Vernon to combat these challenges and strengthen our communities."
Westchester County Executive George Latimer said, "I want to thank Governor Kathy Hochul for taking the initiative to bring much needed relief to the Mount Vernon residents who have long been plagued by significant water and sewer issues in their homes. The opening of the Healthy Homes Program will help Mount Vernon families say informed about repairs to wastewater or flood damage, sewage backflow prevention efforts, and other environmental remediation they may be entitled to. Mount Vernon's critical water infrastructure is old and overburdened, and the Healthy Homes Program will ultimately improve the quality of life for these residents."
Residents can visit GOSR's Mount Vernon page to learn more.
