Free housing all year round: the government can pay off your rental debts and even pay up front
'28.04.2021'
Olga Derkach
New Yorkers struggling to pay their rent during the COVID-19 pandemic can get help from the government. The Federally funded Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps pay rent and utility bills for up to one year. Writes about it Democrat and Chronicle.
How the program works
The program will cover up to 12 months of unpaid rent and utility bills charged as of March 13, 2020.
Families who are “burdened with rent” —that is, those who spend more than 30% of their monthly income on rent — may be entitled not only to pay off their debts, but also to pay three additional months of rent in advance.
The program also provides one year eviction protection for eligible tenants.
To participate in the program, homeowners must agree not to raise rent for a year; and write off penalties for late payments from tenants. No refunds will be required, except in cases of fraud.
Who is eligible to participate in the program
The tenant is eligible for the program if the following basic criteria are met:
- An individual or family is renting an apartment, home, or mobile home in New York State.
- An individual's or family's income level does not exceed 80% of the average income for that area, adjusted for household size.
- An individual or family is eligible for unemployment benefits, has experienced a reduction in family income, or faced significant costs or financial hardship directly or indirectly related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- They risk being homeless.
Additional priority groups include:
- Mobile home tenants or mobile home parks who have unpaid rent for the land on which the mobile home is located.
- Families that include one or more people from vulnerable groups such as victims of domestic violence, survivors of trafficking or veterans.
- Families awaiting eviction proceedings.
- Families in communities disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic
- Families living in a building or apartment complex of 20 or fewer apartments owned by a small landlord.
New Yorkers are eligible for the program regardless of immigration status.
A person receiving Social Assistance may qualify for the program, but persons with government or state subsidized housing will only be eligible after other groups have been served.
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What income will be considered
Total household / individual income for the 2020 calendar year or monthly income at the time of application can be considered as income to determine eligibility.
On the subject: If you do not have enough money to rent housing in New York, the government can pay some of it: program conditions
How to apply
There are three ways to apply to participate in the program - online, in person and by mail.
- To apply online, go to link.
- For a personal application, find your local HEAP contact and visit the office.
- Print and send completed HEAP application by mail. If you live outside of New York City, please leave it with your local contact. And New York City residents can send it to NYC DSS / HRA / HEAP, PO Box 1401, Church Street Station, New York, NY 10008.
