New York has allocated $ 60 million to help tenants: how to get it

The Governor of New York in early December pledged over $ 60 million to help tenants across the state. The expanded assistance program was presented on December 17. However, housing lawyers say this is not enough and are demanding a general moratorium on evictions. The edition writes about it New York DailyNews.

In early December, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his intention to spend more than $ 60 million from $ 100 million in federal funds to help tenants across the state.

Both housing lawyers and landlords were looking forward to the governor's new plan. However, after his announcement, Cuomo took a break, which made lawyers and building owners nervous, since at the end of the year the deadline will expire when funds from Washington can be used, and at the same time the federal moratorium on evictions.

“The Governor is in no hurry, which is a little worrisome, - worried Vito Signorile is vice president of communications for the Rent Stabilization Association, representing more than 25 landlords in five boroughs. - We are talking about 60 million dollars. Even if he had issued an executive order on December 3, there would be only 27 days left to bring the matter to an end. Now there are 13 days left. What can be done during this time? "

On Thursday, December 17, Cuomo unveiled the expanded COVID Rent Relief Program (RRP).

Under the new guidance, the state will provide an opportunity to reapply for financial assistance to pay rent to those in need. The program administered by the New York State Office of Homes & Community Renewal (HCR) will reopen to apply with "extended eligibility criteria in an attempt to help New Yorkers who were unable to apply initially. and those who were previously not eligible for assistance. "

New application period open from Friday 18 December 2020 until Monday 1 February 2021.

Applications for participation in the program can be applied online on this site.

The program will provide eligible families with a one-time rental subsidy that will go directly to the landlord. Applicants will not need to return this assistance.

The family is no longer required to be considered “burdened with rent” to qualify for the program prior to the outbreak of the pandemic. Rent burden is defined as the payment for rental housing over 30% of the family's monthly gross income. Applicants can apply for those who lost income between April 1 and July 31, and their income before the pandemic was no more than 80% of the median income in the area.

Those who have previously applied for rental assistance are not eligible to reapply. Housing & Community Renewal (HCR) will review all rejected applications according to the new criteria and will notify applicants if their decision has changed.

“HCR is acutely aware that this pandemic has put more pressure on New Yorkers. And these improvements to the original program will expand access to rental assistance while building on the governor's moratorium on evictions. ” - said agency spokeswoman RuthAnne Visnauskas.

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

However, housing lawyers believe that the rental assistance program will not help alleviate the financial crisis that many tenants in New York are facing. Instead, they called on Cuomo and state legislators to approve a general moratorium on evictions.

Cea Weaver, coordinator of the Housing Justice for All campaign, said the move was not commensurate with the scale of the disaster facing tenants. Because federal restrictions on evictions, as well as a law that allows homeowners to seek monetary compensation rather than evict tenants, expire on December 31st.

"We need a general moratorium, at least within the state budget," - convinced Weaver.