NY Rent Assistance Program Could Be Gone Jan. 15

According to an agreement made between the state and lawyers who fought to keep the program running, New York’s rental assistance program might close to new applicants as early as next month.

The agreement lifts a temporary injunction that allowed renters to avoid eviction proceedings while they awaited rulings on their cases and maintained the Emergency Rental Assistance Program operational through 2022 despite funds being in short supply.

The committee agreed with the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance that there is insufficient funding to assist struggling New Yorkers who petition for rent relief beyond January 15, 2023.

The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance says that applications from New Yorkers who have fallen behind on their rent since the pandemic started, lost income, and are in low- to moderate-income families be turned in before January 15, 2023.

Certain tenants may apply for money through the ERAP program to assist with back rent payments. Landlords receive the payments, which are made using state and federal funding. While applications are being processed, tenants cannot be kicked out.

The state has mentioned the application may reopen in the future for tenants, in the event new state or federal money became available.