9.2.21 Advocacy Alert: NYS Extends Eviction Moratorium
Blog Categories
September 2, 2021
Last night, the New York State Legislature convened for a special session to extend the state’s eviction moratorium.
The moratorium, which prevents the eviction of tenants declaring financial hardship, will remain in place though January 15.
The move represents Gov. Kathy Hochul’s first legislative action. The bill passed 38-19 in the Senate and 80-60 in the Assembly.
The move comes in response to last week’s Supreme Court decision nullifying the federal eviction moratorium. New York State had previously imposed its own moratorium through August 31, and was relying on the federal moratorium which ran through October. However, without the federal eviction moratorium in place, New York tenants could have faced eviction beginning September 1.
The state already has a tool at its disposal to prevent evictions and make landlords whole: the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. However, the disappointingly slow distribution of ERAP funds has left many tenants at risk of eviction. Instead of extending the moratorium, the BNP urged lawmakers to focus on getting ERAP funds to tenants immediately.
In a welcome letter to Governor Hochul, the BNP urged her to make efficient ERAP distribution a top priority of her first 100 days in office.
Tenants and landlords in need of assistance should consider applying for ERAP here.
Full text of the moratorium legislation is available here.
Related Posts
8.26.21 Advocacy Alert: Hotel & Commercial Conversion Bill Signed Into Law
In the final days of his tenure, Governor Cuomo signed the Housing Our Neighbors with Dignity Act (HONDA) into law. The law aims to convert “distressed” hotels and commercial properties into affordable housing options.
8.24.21 Advocacy Alert: Hochul Takes Oath; BNP Suggests Priorities for First 100 Days
Today, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul was sworn in as Governor of the State of New York. The Buffalonian takes the reins after Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned, amid a storm of bipartisan criticism. Hochul will be the state’s 57th Governor and the first woman to hold the office.
8.10.21 Advocacy Alert: Cuomo Resigns, Hochul to Assume Office
This afternoon, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his impending resignation, effective in 14 days.
Cuomo’s resignation comes after the Attorney General’s report that detailed sexual assault and harassment allegations from eleven women. After the report, Cuomo received nearly unanimous calls to resign from lawmakers and Democratic party officials. The Assembly Judiciary Committee was also in the process of conducting an impeachment investigation.
8.10.21 Advocacy Alert: Senate Passes Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill
This morning, the U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan infrastructure bill that will spend $1.2 trillion in total, including $550 billion in new spending.
The bill passed 69-30, with all Democrats and 19 Republicans voting in favor.