Real Estate
Here's How To Apply For NY's Coronavirus Rent Assistance
Starting Thursday, New Yorkers can apply for help paying up to four months of rent from April through July.
NEW YORK CITY — Long-awaited relief — or at least a measure of it — is on its way for some New Yorkers who missed rent payments during the coronavirus pandemic.
New Yorkers starting Thursday can apply for the state's COVID Rent Relief Program — an effort that sends a one-time rental subsidy to eligible households' landlords.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday announced the program's launch and two-week application window.
Find out what's happening in New York Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Applications can be made here.
"Since day one we made it clear that no New Yorkers should be thrown on the streets because of hardships caused by this pandemic," Cuomo said in a statement. "It's critically important that people are able to stay safely in their homes as we progress through our data-driven, phased reopening, and the COVID Rent Relief Program reinforces that commitment with direct assistance to those in the greatest need."
Find out what's happening in New York Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The program is part of legislation shepherded by state Sen. Brian Kavanagh, who represents parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn, and Brooklyn Assembly Member Steven Cymbrowitz.
Their bill directs $100 million of federal stimulus funds toward rent relief. It covers New Yorkers in "greatest need" — as stated in a release — but fell short of calls to halt or "cancel rent" during the pandemic.
New Yorkers who qualify for help must have made below 80 percent of area median income and paid more than 30 percent of their gross monthly income toward rent, according to the state. They must also have lost income from April 1 to July 31.
The one-time subsidy covers the difference between the "rent burden" — the amount of rent above 30 percent of a renter's income — before and after March 1. It also contains a cap on the subsidy amount based on fair market rent.
That means it likely won't cover the entirety of rent for most New Yorkers.
But it will provide help for some New Yorkers for up to four months of rent payments between April and July.
More information, including on qualifications and subsidy amounts, can be found here.
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