New York requested in a letter to the U.S. Department of the Treasury $ 996 million in additional federal funds to go to the state’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program that helps renters and homeowners who have struggled during the pandemic, announced Friday Governor Kathy Hochul.
The Democrat ordered the state Office of Temporary Assistance and Disability Assistance, the agency that administers the New York program, to request federal funds from reassigned sources sometime this fall.
In addition, this same day, the governor announced an investment of $ 25 million in federal funds to provide free legal assistance to low-income tenants facing eviction in areas of the state outside of New York City where access to free legal assistance is not available.
“From the beginning of my administration, I have made a commitment to provide federal rental assistance money to New Yorkers still recovering from the pandemic. While New York accelerated the release of rental assistance there are still many people who need help. “said the governor. “I am grateful to Congresswoman Kathleen Rice and the entire Congressional delegation for their support. New York has demonstrated both the need for this funding and the ability to distribute it, so we believe New York is well positioned to receive any additional help that may be possible. get available through the upcoming Treasury reallocation. “
The petition comes as New York surpassed $ 1 billion in direct payments to homeowners and has $ 2.4 billion of program funds committed, less than six months after receiving applications for the first time on June 1.
Since then it has received more than 280,000 applications. In total, the program has committed or paid more than $ 2 billion in rental assistance, covering approximately 165,000 applications to the program, including more than 81,000 direct payments to landlords. Last month, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance warned that federal funds for the program were almost entirely committed, except in limited areas.
Because of this, as of this Sunday, November 14 after 10:00 p.m. m. New applications will be suspended in most areas of the state for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Applications will only be accepted after this time for residents of Dutchess, Nassau (not including Hempstead and Oyster Bay), Niagara, Oneida, Saratoga, Suffolk (not including Brookhaven or Islip) and Westchester counties. (not including Yonkers). Some of these areas will be removed from the list when the funds run out.
Following the depletion of funds, it is predicted that without additional federal assistance, the program will not be able to fulfill many pending funding requests. That is why the governor first contacted the United States Treasury to request the additional funds in late September. Led by Congresswoman Kathleen Rice, 17 members of the New York State Congressional delegation sent the paper to the US Treasury in support of this request.
For more information about the program and to submit applications if you still meet the requirements visit this website.
– .
