April 18, 2014
By Stephanie West
New York, NY – New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer has announced the formation of a Sandy Oversight Unit which will draw upon the Comptroller’s Audit, Contracts, Budget and Policy Units to hold government accountable in the rebuilding of New York City from Superstorm Sandy. Comptroller Stringer will hold Town Halls in the Rockaways, Breezy Point, Coney Island, Staten Island, and at other locations over the coming months to discuss program ideas and audit recommendations.
“Superstorm Sandy changed the lives of millions of New Yorkers and we are still grappling with its consequences today,” Comptroller Stringer said. “It is critical to have an accounting of how government has responded to this event, and what we can do to better prepare for the future. I am announcing the creation of a Sandy Oversight Unit and as part of that Unit’s first order of business, we will be auditing all aspects of the ‘Build it Back’ program. We will ensure government works for the people while finding ways to get New Yorkers the help they need.”
At the outset, audit staff will take a comprehensive look at the ‘Build it Back’ program to determine whether the Housing Recovery Office has set goals and timetables for the delivery of services and established procedures to reduce the backlog of applications. The unit will also monitor the speed and quality of services delivered and determine whether adequate control procedures have been implemented to detect fraud. The audit will focus on the Single Family Program, since the majority of the funding was allocated to those recipients.
Check the comptroller’s website for updates on town halls, audits and more at www.comptroller.nyc.gov.
