The Legal Aid Society condemned the Hochul Administration for closing New York’s rent relief application process, the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) portal, denying New York City residents in need of the ability to apply for funds to assist with back rent payments.
Judith Goldiner, Attorney-In-Charge of the Civil Law Reform Unit at The Legal Aid Society, said “This move is premature, and closing the ERAP portal with demand for relief still high will traumatize our clients still in need of these critical funds.
“Under U.S. Treasury Department eligibility standards, New York will likely qualify for the $1 billion in additional rent relief resources recently requested, and given ERAP’s botched application launch this past year, we are concerned that any re-launch will encounter the same issues only to further discourage families from applying. Moreover, we expect that any re-launch will occur after the eviction moratorium expires in early 2022, leaving families susceptible to eviction.
“The Hochul Administration must reverse course and keep the ERAP portal open so New York City families can continue to apply.”
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About The Legal Aid Society
The Legal Aid Society exists for one simple yet powerful reason: to ensure that New Yorkers are not denied their right to equal justice because of poverty. For over 140 years, we have protected, defended, and advocated for those who have struggled in silence for far too long. Every day, in every borough, The Legal Aid Society changes the lives of our clients and helps improve our communities.
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