New York prepares for mass evictions of tenants, lawyers sound the alarm

It is predicted that after the lifting of the moratorium on June 20, about 50 thousand new eviction cases will be initiated. These evictions are likely to occur in color communities. Lawyers are seriously alarmed by this prospect and urge the authorities to comply with six requirements. About what these requirements are, the newspaper writes. Patch.

The wave of mass evictions: forecasts

A huge number of New Yorkers risk being in the street as the moratorium on eviction ends. Housing lawyers expect a wave of mass evictions to hit New York's housing courts soon. This means that many people in a pandemic will be forced to live in crowded shelters. However conditions in these shelters such that even the homeless of New York, left without an overnight stay due to the closure of the subway, do not want to go there.

It is predicted that after the lifting of the moratorium on June 20, about 50 thousand new eviction cases will be initiated.

Evictions will primarily affect residents of communities of color, according to The Right to Counsel NYC Coalition's annual report. “I have not seen anyone other than blacks and browns being evicted,” said Randy Dillard of CASA. - Most of the evictions take place in black and brown areas. Half of them are in the Bronx. "

What lawyers require

On June 15, housing lawyers banded together to urge New Yorkers to join their efforts and elected officials to meet six demands. These are the requirements:

1. Extend the general moratorium on evictions.
2. Ensure the right to participate in housing courts.
3. Slow down eviction cases in a housing court.
4. Adopt a law on eviction for a good reason, which would oblige homeowners to indicate a “fair reason” for not renewing leases.
5. To hold landlords accountable who do not provide tenants with adequate living conditions.
6. Prioritize health, safety and accessibility for all housing court participants.

“It’s unthinkable to evict people at this time,” said Sandra Mitchell, tenant rights organizer. "Our demands are moral, our demands are reasonable, our demands are logical."

Lawyers expressed alarming concerns about what the eviction procedure could mean for tenants who were unable to pay rent during the duration of the state home order, which began in March and was only just starting to end.

Although state governor Andrew Cuomo extended less powerful moratorium until August, it is valid only for those who can prove that they are experiencing financial difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, or claim unemployment benefits.

On the subject: 7 things New York City tenants need to know during the COVID-19 pandemic

The Coronavirus Aid Act provided for an additional $ 600 per week for workers eligible for unemployment benefits.

However, a recent study by an advocacy group showed that more than 40% of people applying for unemployment benefits were refused. You can read about why not everyone can count on help. in this stuff.

What lawyers fear

Assistant Attorney Gabriela Malespin fears that the influx of eviction cases will overload the limited resources of the city’s legal services. This in turn will affect the quality of advocacy for vulnerable New Yorkers in court.

Studies show that the presence of a lawyer in a housing court may mean that the tenant is able to retain the right to live in rental housing.

According to the New York Civil Justice Department, the New York Housing Court saw a sharp increase in the number of lawyers from 1% in 2013 to 38% in 2019. Over the same time period, evictions decreased by 41%.

“To make matters worse, going to the legal service would indeed be challenged,” Malespin said. "The city just doesn't have enough lawyers to handle this volume."

On the subject: The abolition of rents has put small homeowners on the brink of survival

Lawyers have also expressed concern about the health risks associated with visiting ships in a pandemic. Last week, court staff returned to work, receiving orders from the Office of Court Administration to wear face masks, screen for COVID-19 symptoms, hold virtual hearings, and establish protective barriers and ensure that there are disinfection facilities available hands.

But Emily Goldstein of the Association for Neighborhood & Housing Development fears that security measures in the housing court will not provide sufficient protection against the spread of the virus. “The Brooklyn Housing Court is notorious for being overcrowded even under normal circumstances,” Goldstein says. “The thought of this makes me a recluse. It is so irresponsible to make people go there. "