Freeze Rent Payments During Coronavirus, Says Borough Prez

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — New Yorkers shouldn't have to worry about paying rent and utilities now that the state is under a sweeping lockdown to stop the new coronavirus, said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.

Adams on Friday called for a 90-day moratorium on rent and utility payments in a statement he released minutes after Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued a "stay-in-place" order.

The order only allows essential services — grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants for takeout orders, banks, public transit and internet service providers — to remain open and have commuting workers.

"In light of the fact that Governor Cuomo just announced a 100% reduction in staffing at nonessential businesses this morning and a similar moratorium on mortgage payments yesterday, this is a matter of basic economic fairness," Adams wrote in a statement. "New York City renters, who comprise roughly 65% of all residents and are more likely to fall in a lower income bracket than homeowners, deserve this measure of relief."

On Saturday, Adams expanded his call to include mortgage payments on all rental properties after landlords who rely on rent payments as their primary source of income expressed concerns.

Adams also called for a pause on eviction filings to match with the current suspension of eviction proceedings.

"If we don't act quickly and decisively to contain the economic fallout from this pandemic, the consequences for our city and state could be catastrophic," he wrote in a statement. "While these calls are by no means easy to make, this is no time for bureaucratic half-measures that favor some parties over others."

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