Adi Talwar
Homes on Tomlinson Avenue in Morris Park, The Bronx.
Hundreds of thousands of New York households have fallen behind on their mortgages or property taxes during the pandemic, putting them at risk of losing their homes after statewide foreclosure protections expired earlier this month. So what exactly should homeowners do? City Limits talked with three experts for guidance.
U.S. residents can sign up to receive four free COVID tests delivered to their home address. But the program limits one order per household, proving to be a problem for people staying in group homeless shelters or hotels.
“What we need to do is to ensure that, no matter how much money you’re making, you can access a free attorney if you’re at risk of eviction,” North Brooklyn Councilmember Lincoln Restler said during an appearance on WBAI’s City Watch Sunday.
For the first time in nearly two years, New York’s expansive COVID-related eviction protections have come to an end for tenants who owe back rent. Landlords are rejoicing, renters are feeling the heat and city officials are bracing for impact.
New Yorkers who owe back rent can once again apply for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) after judge ordered the state to reopen applications, citing what could be a substantial second round of funding in March. But the federal government has yet to approve a new round of cash for the tapped-out fund, and eviction protections end Saturday.
Video of two NYPD officers dragging and handcuffing a man at the 8th Ave L train station Monday underscores concerns about Mayor Eric Adams’ new plan to send more cops into the subways, advocates say. And an accompanying initiative to have state-funded social service workers conduct outreach in lieu of police won’t roll out until spring.
The Bronx apartment fire that killed at least 17 people Sunday has also left more than 100 families homeless, in some cases with no clear timeline for a return to their apartments.
Kathy Hochul’s first State of the State proposal included sweeping plans for affordable housing, free legal assistance for low-income tenants and sending social workers into the subways to conduct homeless outreach. But the governor failed to address other high-profile issues, like the end of pandemic eviction protections and the “Good Cause” eviction bill.
How many people spend each night in a New York City homeless shelter? It seems like a simple question, but getting the answer is pretty complicated. So this year, City Limits will provide a daily total using the most complete information available.
Cientos de miles de hogares en todo el estado ya deben alquileres atrasados como resultado de la pandemia y se enfrentan al desalojo cuando las protecciones de la moratoria expiren el 15 de enero. El proyecto de ley de desalojo por causa justificada daría a los inquilinos el derecho a la renovación del contrato en la mayoría de los casos, y evitaría que los propietarios pudieran desalojar a un inquilino sin una orden de un juez.