New York to Stop Accepting Applications for Pandemic Rental Aid
The New York Times
Officials said demand for the pandemic relief program was “far outstripping” available funds. Gov. Kathy Hochul has asked the federal government for almost $1 billion more.
New York State said on Friday that it would stop taking most requests for its pandemic rent relief for struggling tenants because an overwhelming number of applicants had left the program nearly out of money. The huge demand for aid underscores the severe economic pain inflicted by the coronavirus outbreak.
Since the $2.4 billion program started this summer, the state has received nearly 280,000 applications for help paying overdue rent and utility bills.
As of this week, New York had paid out $1 billion — nearly 85 percent in cases involving New York City renters — with another $1.1 billion committed to be given out but where more paperwork was needed from landlords.
