Much of Breezy Point, N.Y., burned down during the storm in a fire that swept through the Queens neighborhood. Many homes were badly damaged or destroyed by fire and floodwaters.
But residents say few people have been able to rebuild due to bureaucratic red tape. Many homeowners are required to file for a special permit that could take more than a year to obtain.
The legislation will allow homeowners to bypass some of these permitting requirements and start the rebuilding process.
The coastal community on Jamaica Bay's Rockaway peninsula is known for its marshland and shorebirds.
