State Resumed Intake for Rent Aid Applications, per Judge's Decision
A New York judge has ordered the Office of Temporary and Disability Administration (OTDA) to temporarily accept applications for pandemic rent relief under the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). The judge's order is effective until Tuesday, January 11.
The ERAP program, originally funded with $2.4 billion, aims to help low-income tenants pay rent arrears that accrued during the Covid-19 pandemic. The program allows eligible tenants to apply for funds to cover their outstanding rent.
However, the OTDA stopped accepting most new applications in November, citing a lack of funds. The agency currently has approximately $370 million available to process new applications from financially distressed tenants, leaving it short about $850 million.
The judge disagreed with the OTDA's guess that funds would be insufficient, ruling that the projected lack of funds was not a sufficient legal justification to close the application process. The judge's decision came in response to a class-action lawsuit filed by The Legal Aid Society in December.
The statewide moratorium on evictions is set to expire on January 15. More than 400,000 New York families remain behind on their rent, and the judge's decision could provide a much-needed lifeline for many of them.
The OTDA is currently reviewing the judge's decision. Both parties agreed to adjourn the case until March. New York will be eligible to apply for additional unspent relief funds from the federal government in March.
It is important to note that these families did not apply for rent relief before the program was shut down. Those who wish to apply for ERAP funds should do so as soon as possible, as the program's deadline may be extended or revised in the coming weeks.
The judge's order is a significant step towards addressing the ongoing eviction crisis in New York. With more than 400,000 families still struggling to pay their rent, it is crucial that the OTDA works quickly to process applications and distribute funds to those in need.
