According to mayor Bill de Blasio, the city has approved the start of construction for 535 homes and sent 543 reimbursement checks through the Build it Back program, exceeding the mayor's goals that were set as part of the Sandy recovery overhaul earlier this year. Homeowners had been stalled in the intake process when the de Blasio administration came into office, with not a single one having started design or construction or received reimbursement. This spring, de Blasio overhauled Build it Back and appointed Amy Peterson as its new director, while specifically committing to 500 construction starts and 500 reimbursement checks by Labor Day. Today's 535 construction starts include 68 homes that are fully complete, and reflect significant progress on all program pathways, including full rebuilds, elevations and repairs. The 543 checks reflect over $9 million in reimbursements that has gone out to homeowners who completed repairs themselves. "It was simply unacceptable that not a single homeowner had gotten relief as of the beginning of this year," said de Blasio. "We committed to putting Build it Back back on track, and that's exactly what we've done, exceeding our Labor Day goals with 535 construction starts and 543 reimbursement checks. But we know there's much more work ahead - and we're committed to continuing to speed up recovery so that every homeowner gets the relief they need." This progress follows many other improvements that have streamlined Build it Back and expedited relief for homeowners, including: * Expanded eligibility and options, and the elimination of priority levels, so that every homeowner, regardless of income, can move forward; and * Increased Build it Back staff, including a deputy director for Homeowner Services, borough directors, and 44 new dedicated Department of Buildings (DOB) inspectors and staff.