rent assistance

The mayor’s office urged residents to call the 211 helpline to start an application.

“Even though the funding is on pause, the legal protections remain for folks."

“We’re hopeful to get another $500 million,” Hochul told reporters in Johnson City on Monday.

Residents eligible for the city’s rental assistance program must have experienced a COVID-19-related hardship, such as a loss of income or employment since March 2020 and earn either equal to or less than 50 percent of the Area Median Income.

As of June, Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services said it had distributed $133 million in Emergency Rental Assistance program money to more than 30,500 households across the state.

“I’m at 70 percent of my normal collections. So it’s kind of hard to pay the bills when you’re collecting only 70 percent of your rents.”

The legislation that created the program dictated that a minimum of 35 percent of the funds are reserved for applicants outside of New York City, but only through its first 30 days.

During the first 30 days, the program will prioritize those who are unemployed, those with income at or below 50 percent of area median income and other vulnerable populations at risk of homelessness.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said it’s still possible that a session will be held before 2020 ends on more substantive issues.