Some Sandy Victims Dealing With Second Storm In Form Of Loan Repayments

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Some victims of Superstorm Sandy are facing a new problem on the road to rebuilding.

As WCBS 880's Jim Smith reported, immediately after Sandy, victims had no way of telling if or when Congress would approve grants. So some accepted SBA loans, which have to be repaid.

"They did what they thought they were supposed to do," said Dee Vandenburg.

Vandenburg, who is the president of the Staten Island Taxpayer's Association, said some families now are getting hit with a second storm in the form of hundreds of dollars in monthly payments.

"Not only they've got the mortgage, the SBA loan, they've got to replace everything...everything," Vandenburg said.

And also watching neighbors get grant money, which does not have to be repaid.

Department of Housing and Urban Development said that's the way it's supposed to work; to reserve grants for people who most need them.

But Vandenburg said middle class victims are struggling.

"The world thinks this is over. It is far from over," Vandenburg said.

In New York, hardship assistance is available to some loan recipients.

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