After Hurricane Sandy, more than 500 Staten Islanders sold their homes to the state rather than stay and rebuild. Their stories carry lessons for city homeowners still threatened by rising sea levels.
Mosczynzski’s wife and two adult daughters evacuated in advance, but he stayed behind as a volunteer for the search and rescue team. Some neighbors stayed behind despite warnings — and had to be saved from on top of their roofs or pulled out of the water by boats with ropes.
That was only the start of his long journey through the Staten Island buyout program. New York officials created this initiative for the sake of managed retreat, which is when the government steps in and purchases private property for the purpose of getting residents out of a flood-prone area. The program also set off broader discussions about whether it’s sustainable to keep living in coastal New York and New Jersey — or if nature is evicting us, how does the government support those who want to relocate?Frank Mosczynzski
The state can only initiate large-scale buyout programs when federal dollars are involved. But this relationship restricts how long the application window is open and when it’s offered, which can end up leaving out homeowners who need more time to decide or sort out their affairs. Most residents in the area — including Mosczynzski in nearby Oakwood Beach — learned of the buyout program from Tirone, who dedicated most of his time volunteering to help homeowners through the process.
“It was the first glimmer of hope after the storm of possibly a way to try to get your life back on track because months after we were all lost,” Mosczynzski said. Oakwood Beach residents were ready to go. That community lobbied the governor’s office to say we really think that this is the right area for a buyout.“Oakwood Beach residents were ready to go,” Brogan said. “That community lobbied the governor’s office to say we really think that this is the right area for a buyout.”
Relocating came with big financial incentives, too. On top of pre-storm value, an additional 15% of the sale price was added to the final payout. If residents bought their next home in Staten Island, they received another 10% of their home’s cost when they resettled. “It would've been my greatest deal ever – 550 homes,” said Tirone, who did not profit as a real estate agent from the managed retreat in Staten Island. New York state officials confirmed no brokers were used for homeowner sales to the the state. “That would've been nice, but I felt it was a conflict of interest for me to help them [homeowners who took the buyout] find a home.”
“Why stay in an area that’s notorious for flooding that we’ve all experienced so many times here,” Mosczynzski said. “It made sense to give up your land, and make this area more resilient for future generations and move on.”Mosczynzski left Staten Island in January 2022, and finally moved to a new home on the New Jersey Shore.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Alex Jones' Bills Keep Piling Up: Jury Awards Nearly $1 Billion in Sandy Hook Defamation CaseThe latest ruling comes two months after a Texas jury ruled against conspiracy theorist Alex Jones to the tune of nearly $50 million in compensatory and punitive damages
Read more »
Connecticut jury orders Alex Jones to pay nearly $1 billion for Sandy Hook liesAlex Jones should pay $965 million to people who suffered from his false claim that the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a hoax, a jury said.
Read more »
‘Ain’t no money’: Alex Jones mocks $965M Sandy Hook rulingAlex Jones laughed off his nearly $1 billion ordered payout to Sandy Hook families, saying it “ain’t gonna be happening” — while also fundraising to keep highlighting conspi…
Read more »
Alex Jones ordered to pay $965 million for Sandy Hook liesConspiracy theorist Alex Jones has been ordered by a Connecticut jury to pay $965 million to people who suffered from his false claim that the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a hoax.
Read more »