The LMDC today cautioned the public that individuals unaffiliated with the LMDC have recently attempted to collect personal data from Lower Manhattan residents, purportedly in connection with LMDC’s Residential Grant Program. The LMDC reiterated that the deadline for applications to the Residential Grant Program, which passed on May 31, 2003, has not been extended, and the eligibility criteria for the grants has not been expanded.  
 
The LMDC has not authorized any persons or entities to solicit, accept or review new applications in the communities since LMDC’s Residential Grant Program community offices closed on August 29, 2003.  Ongoing administrative operations for the Residential Grant Program include communication with applicants only by telephone or official correspondence. 
 
Residents who believe that they are eligible under the guidelines and boundaries set forth under the program, but missed the deadlines, are encouraged to contact the LMDC Residential Grant Program directly through the Hotline at 1-866-RENEWNYC (1-866-736-9692).
 
Irene Chang, LMDC Vice President for Legal Affairs and Counsel to the LMDC, said, “Lower Manhattan residents should be aware of an attempt by some individuals - unaffiliated and unauthorized by the LMDC – to collect personal data purportedly to obtain residential grants. Anyone collecting grant applications in person from residents does not represent, and is not authorized to act on behalf of, LMDC or the Residential Grant Program. Residents who provide personal information to such a person or entity should establish the specific purpose for the collection effort and be aware of how that information will be protected.”
 
Individuals who have recently provided one of these applications to someone other than the LMDC should contact the LMDC’s Fraud Prevention Hotline at 1-866-830-9131, which is available 24 hours a day.  All calls are confidential.
 
More information about the LMDC’s Residential Grant Program is available at www.renewnyc.org.
The eligible zones for the Residential Grant Program that ended May 31, 2003 are Zone 1, defined as the area south of Chambers Street and west of Nassau and Broad Streets, including all buildings which face on those streets and the entirety of Battery Park City, Zone 2, is defined as the area outside Zone 1 but south of Canal Street and southwest of Rutgers Street, including all buildings which face on those streets and Zone 3,  defined as the area north of Canal and Rutgers Streets; south of Delancey and Kenmare Streets; and east of Lafayette Street, including all buildings which face on those streets with the exception of Canal and Rutgers Streets.