About the Charities BureauHurricane Sandy Relief Information
Empire State Relief Fund
12/17/12, Submitted by William Rudin - President
Q 1: What is the approximate dollar amount of donations and pledges that
your organization has received to date in response to Hurricane Sandy?
A 1: As of December 17, 2012, ESRF has $5,740,493.08 in its bank account and approximately
$9,615,407.00 million in pledges.
Q 2: Will these funds be used solely for Hurricane Sandy relief? If not,
approximately what portion will be used for Hurricane Sandy relief and
what other purposes will funds be used for?
A 2: The funds received for Hurricane Sandy relief will be used solely to promote and
assist in providing long-term housing and in rebuilding homes of New York residents
affected by Hurricane Sandy.
Q 3: Approximately how much has your organization spent to date on Hurricane
Sandy relief?
A 3: On December 13, 20l2, ESRF's Board of Directors voted to make its first distribution
of $5 million. The funds will be widely distributed to victims of Hurricane Sandy
through the Housing Trust Fund Corporation ("HTFC"), which is affiliated with the New
York State Homes and Community Renewal The funds will be provided specifically for
rebuilding and restoring affected homes, in amounts of up to $ 10,000 each.
ESRF seeks to bridge the gap between the cost of repair or replacement of a home and
the funds available to a homeowner by the Federal Emergency Management Agency ("FEMA")
to cover this cost. ESRF and HTFC are in the process of finalizing a memorandum of
understanding requiring HTFC to use FEMA requirements as a basis for these
distributions.
Q 4: What services has your organization provided to those affected by Hurricane
Sandy? What populations or geographical areas are being served by your
organization in response to Hurricane Sandy? What services does it expect to
provide in the future?
A 4: ESRF has not provided services yet. It intends to serve residents of New York State
affected by Hurricane Sandy by assisting in providing long-term housing and rebuilding
of homes through grants to the HTFC, which is affiliated with the New York State Homes
and Community Renewal.
Q 5: Has your organization provided funding to other organizations for Hurricane
Sandy relief efforts? If so, which organizations have received those funds
and what is the approximate dollar amount provided to them? How does
your organization determine the need for funding?
A 5: ESRF has not yet provided funding to any other organization for Hurricane Sandy
relief. It initially intends to provide housing assistance for New York residents
through coordination with the HTFC, as set forth in a memorandum of understanding with
the HTFC, which will distribute the funds in accordance with such memorandum. HTFC
will provide reports to ESRF, which will include a full accounting of all funds
committed by ESRF to HTFC.
Q 6: Has your organization provided, or does it intend to provide, direct financial
assistance to individuals, families or businesses for Hurricane Sandy relief?
If so, what is the approximate dollar amount that your organization
has provided to date and approximately how much direct financial assistance
does it expect to provide in the future? How does your organization
determine the need for assistance?
A 6: ESRF does not expect to provide funds directly to individuals, families and
businesses. Please see the response to Question 5 above.
Q 7: Does your organization have a plan in place on how to use any surplus funds
not spent for Hurricane Sandy relief? If so, please describe that plan.
A 7: At the present time, ESRF does not have any surplus funds. Any funds raised for
Hurricane Sandy relief will be spent for that purpose only.