New Tenant Support Program Launched in New York: How to Apply

Under the new program, financial assistance will be given to the most vulnerable New Yorkers. About who exactly can count on support and how to apply, is reported on the site HCR.

About the program

A new emergency rental assistance program for the coronavirus pandemic (COVID Rent Relief Program, RRP) has started in New York. This was announced on July 14 by State Governor Andrew Cuomo.

The program is designed for those individuals and families who are most in need of housing, in particular for renters who lost income during the coronavirus pandemic. “From day one, we made it clear that no New Yorker should be kicked out onto the streets because of the hardships of this pandemic,” the governor said. “It is imperative that people can safely stay in their homes as we move forward based on our data, phasing in work. The Pandemic Rental Assistance Program strengthens this commitment by providing direct assistance to those who need it most. ”

How it will work

Under the new program, the respective households will receive a one-time rental subsidy paid directly to homeowners and homeowners. Landlords are not required to return this assistance.

To become a member of the program, applicants must meet all requirements for applicants:

• Tenant must be located in New York State.
• Until March 1, 2020, and at the time of application, the household income (including unemployment benefits) should be below 80% of the Median, taking into account the size of the household. Applicants can find Median regional income for their county based on household size, on the HCR website.
• Until March 1, 2020 and at the time of filing the application, the household must be “burdened with rent”, which is defined as the payment of more than 30% of gross monthly income on account of rent.
• Loss of income of the applicant in any period from April 1, 2020 to July 31, 2020.

Application deadline will be open on Thursday, July 16th, and will last for two weeks. Residents can apply at any time during this period.

Who will prefer HCR

HCR will give preference to households with the highest economic and social needs, taking into account income, rent, percentage of lost income and risk of homelessness.

The payment of housing rental allowance will cover the difference between the rent of the household as of March 1, 2020 and the increase in rent for the period during which the household seeks help. Between April and July, households can apply for rental assistance for up to four months.

The program is open to households renting apartments, single-family homes, industrial homes and industrial sites.

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

Households in which at least one family member has US citizen status or the right to immigrate are eligible for subsidies. Tenants who currently receive a housing voucher (program under Section 8 of the Housing Act 1974), or living in social housing, are not eligible for RRP assistance.

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins ​​said: “Despite the progress we have made in combating COVID-19, millions of New Yorkers are fighting over the virus and the economic crisis. Providing direct assistance to overloaded tenants will help these New Yorkers stay in their homes and make ends meet. ”

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie added in turn that many New Yorkers are not working right now, and therefore "we still need the help of the federal government to help states deal with significant budgetary problems."

With this program, New York will be able to “continue our path to economic recovery,” said HCR Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas. Assembly Member Steven Cymbrowitz, Chairperson of the Assembly Housing Committee, said the program will help New Yorkers live through difficult times “while we wait for Congress to take action to provide more substantial assistance.”

Program Details

The program builds on the efforts of the state governor to protect New York City tenants during the coronavirus pandemic. Other ways to ease the burden on New Yorkers these days include a moratorium on evictions from residential or commercial premises; Allowing tenants facing financial difficulties due to the pandemic to use their security deposit as payment and eventually return it and others.

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

The program is funded through the Coronavirus Relief Fund, which is part of the CARES Act. Operated by - New York State Homes and Community Renewal.

Learn more about RRP, as well as get answers to frequently asked questions, you can here.