MOHAMED FARGHALY
mfarghaly@queensledger.com
The Trump administration’s decision to cut over $325 million in federal funding for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program has left critical infrastructure and community resilience projects across New York State at risk. In addition to the funding cuts for projects that had not yet begun construction, another $56 million in ongoing projects could now face delays or cancellation.
Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the federal action, stressing the severe consequences for public safety and disaster preparedness in New York.
“In the last few years, New Yorkers have faced hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, wildfires and even an earthquake –– and FEMA assistance has been critical to help us rebuild. Cutting funding for communities across New York is short sighted and a massive risk to public safety. Without support for resilience projects now, our communities will be far more vulnerable when disaster strikes next,” Hochul said. “As I’ve said all along: no state in the nation can backfill the massive cuts being proposed in Washington, and it’s critical New Yorkers stand united to call out the damage this will cause.”
The BRIC program, which supports state, local, and tribal governments in building disaster resilience, was a key component in New York’s efforts to address the growing threat of extreme weather. As part of the federal program, New York had secured funding for flood mitigation and infrastructure improvements aimed at reducing storm risks and safeguarding vulnerable communities.
Jackie Bray, Commissioner of the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, pointed out the long-term economic and safety implications of the cuts. “It is far more expensive to rebuild than it is to prevent damage before it happens. Mitigation is the best way to save taxpayer dollars and increase resiliency. These projects were created with the sole purpose of helping prevent further damage from the storms that continue to impact the residents of New York State,” Bray said.
Among the hardest-hit projects is the Central Harlem Cloudburst Flood Mitigation initiative, which was set to receive $50 million in funding to improve stormwater infrastructure and reduce flooding in low-income neighborhoods. Other impacted projects include flood mitigation efforts in East Elmhurst, the Kissena Corridor, and the Seaport area of Lower Manhattan.
The cancellation of funding extends beyond New York City. In Westchester County, the Upper Minkel Dam Decommissioning and Riparian Corridor Restoration project—funded with $731,000—now faces the loss of essential support for flood hazard reduction and environmental restoration.
The BRIC cuts have also drawn sharp criticism from local officials. In Queens, U.S. Representative Grace Meng urged the Department of Homeland Security to restore funding that had been previously allocated to local food pantries under FEMA’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP). Meng called the withholding of these funds “unconscionable and unacceptable” and warned that without the federal support, food pantries across Queens would face operational cuts, limiting their ability to serve those in need.
“Our food pantry is a lifeline for the communities we serve, and this interruption in funding has made it incredibly difficult for us to help our fellow New Yorkers,” said Rev. Benjamin Ytac, Jr., Executive Director of Yeshua Worldwide Ministries in Middle Village. “We join together with our partner community organizations and call on the federal government to restore funding to the Emergency Food and Shelter Program and allow us to continue supporting our most vulnerable fellow New Yorkers and neighbors.”
New York’s leaders have also voiced strong opposition to the Trump administration’s stance on disaster resilience funding. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. sent a letter to FEMA, urging the agency to reverse its decision on the BRIC cuts. “Superstorms like Hurricane Ida in 2021 and Hurricane Sandy in 2012 impact people of all ideological persuasions. Floodwaters do not discriminate based on political affiliation — neither should our federal government,” Richards wrote, calling the cuts a “serious disconnect” between the federal administration and the communities that need help the most.
Launched in 2020, the BRIC program aimed to help communities reduce disaster risks through mitigation efforts and infrastructure projects. A 2018 analysis by the National Institute of Building Sciences showed that every $1 spent on mitigation saves the federal government $6 in future disaster recovery costs. Despite these proven savings, the Trump administration has justified its cuts by labeling the program as “wasteful” and “ineffective,” claims that have been met with strong rebuttals from disaster resilience experts and local officials.
The loss of BRIC funding, which has already dispersed over $5 billion nationwide, is seen as a dangerous step backward in New York’s efforts to combat the growing threats of climate change and extreme weather. With multiple projects now at risk, officials are urging the federal government to restore the funding, warning that delaying or canceling these initiatives will put more New Yorkers in harm’s way.
