New York elected officials are urging Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams to extend a relief program meant to benefit people affected by flashflooding brought on by the remnants of a hurricane that swept through the metropolitan region a year ago.

Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas, state Sen. Jessica Ramos and New York City Comptroller Brad Lander pointed to the ongoing needs of people in the community and the devastating effects of the flood waters.

The officials are seeking a year-long extension of a supplemental funding program for homeowners who have applied for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The state offered a cash assistance program for excluded New Yorkers to cover expenses for housing, medical care, transit and other needs.

"Our communities continue to suffer from damages caused by Hurricane Ida due to the extent of destruction and the difficulties our constituents have faced in applying for and receiving assistance," they wrote in a letter sent this week. "It is the responsibility of the State and City to ensure that New Yorkers receive the aid they need to rebuild their homes and their lives after such damage. We urge you to extend the Hurricane Ida relief programs at the cty and state levels to October 2023 to provide our communities with this essential aid."

It's estimated the storm killed 18 people in New York, caused $900 million in repairs and damaged 11,000 homes. Many of the communities affected by the storm are in low-income areas where immigrants live and work.

At the same time, the officials also pointed to the need for legal aid in this areas to help with recovery.

"Much of this work is already being done through existing community organizations that have spent years building relationships with the communities they serve and understand their needs," the letter states. "New York state and city should mobilize these organizations and lean on their ties to the community in times of disaster."