New York (CNN) -- New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg found himself facing questions Thursday about why the city was paying for more than 100 vacant hotel rooms when thousands were displaced after Superstorm Sandy. The rooms were reserved for storm victims who were pushed out of their homes by Sandy, which hit the area October 29. According to Bloomberg's office, a total of 1,014 people were housed in 416 rooms, while another 120 rooms designated as emergency housing were vacant. "We've gone out and we've gotten housing for people in case they might need it, but the wonderful thing is we haven't needed it so far," Bloomberg said Thursday.NEW: New York paying for vacant hotel rooms for storm victimsNEW: Bloomberg says they're booked in advance as a precautionNEW: "I would go to the hotel," Queens woman tells CNNFEMA asks about housing some storm victims on small boats
Bloomberg's office said the city expects _ to reimburse it for the hotel rooms.