In his speech, the lieutenant governor
shared with the families that Governor
Kathy Hochul will be providing
$2 million in assistance for families
displaced by the fi re through funding
from the Offi ce of Temporary and
Disability Assistance’s Emergency
Needs for the Homeless program and
New York State Homes and Community
Several family members were so overcome with grief that they fainted during the funeral service. Photos Dean Moses
Renewal’s Housing Trust Fund.
These services will include case management,
personal property replacement,
relocation and rental assistance.
The grief proved too much for
many of the mourners. Pandemonium
broke out as security and
NYPD offi cers carried those who
fainted during the service to awaiting
ambulances, the tears still dripping
down their unconscious faces.
“The entire state of New York
mourns with those affected by the
tragic fi re in the Bronx, an unimaginable
tragedy that took the precious
lives of sons, daughters, wives,
husbands, and friends. Governor
Kathy Hochul and I both know that
no words can take away the pain of
the loss faced by family members
and friends of those who were taken
from us too soon. Through the victims
compensations fund, we will
provide our fellow New Yorkers with
whatever support they need, and we
are committed to doing so—in lockstep
with the City of New York—in
the coming months and years,” Benjamin
said in a press release.
Schumer also promised to do
all he can on a federal level to provide
aid to the immigrant community
and all of those who suffered
losses due to the fi re. He added that
he and Congressman Richie Torres
would be working with the embassy
in Gambia to help families come
to the United States to help the victims
through their grief and provide
much needed support.
“When tragedies like this occur,
we come together,” Schumer said at
the prayer service.
To help support the needs of the
fi re victims, the Mayor’s Fund to Advance
New York City established the
Bronx Fire Relief Fund, the Bronx
Community Foundation and the
Gambian Youth Organization are
also raising funds to tenants.
There were so many dead, mourners could barley fi t beside them.
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, J BTR JAN. 21-27, 2022 9
Thousands lined the streets.