New Yorker Renters Will Pay Up Again As Eviction Moratorium Ends

The United States Supreme Court has reversed the Biden Administration's ban on evictions, here's what you need to know. Since the early days of the pandemic, renters have been protected from eviction by federal and state orders, but the highest court has overturned the ban on evicting renters for non-payment. The court issued a statement placing the responsibility to relieve renters squarely on Congress,

Congress was on notice that a further extension would almost surely require new legislation, yet it failed to act in the several weeks leading up to the moratorium's expiration. If a federally imposed eviction moratorium is to continue, Congress must specifically authorize it.

According to a Supreme Court docket regarding the ban, it highlights how much of a financial burden the eviction ban has been to landlords,

Even by the CDC’s conservative estimates, its latest extension of the moratorium for the next two months alone will have an impact of at least a $100 million.

Here's what New York renters need to know:

- The Centers for Disease Control Eviction Order extended the moratorium until October 3, 2021

- New York State's eviction moratorium is set to end August 31, 2021

- The New York State Senate passed a budget of $2.4 billion for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program to assist residents who are experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Residents must be approved to receive ERAP and must meet certain criteria, according to the online application,

• Qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19
• Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability
• Has a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median income
• ERAP is not guaranteed and will be determined on a case-by-case basis

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- Even though an eviction moratorium has been in place, you still owe whatever rent you have not been able to pay

- You may be eligible for up to 12 months of back rent and months of future rent, if you lost your income due to the COVID-19 pandemic through NYS' ERAP

- You can apply online for ERAP assistance here

- You will need to loop in your landlord, as they will need to participate in the ERAP assistance also

- Landlords that agree to participate in ERAP agree not to evict tenants due to backpay, but can evict for non-payment of future rent or a violation of the lease

- Buffalo renters or landlords can get more information at standupbuffalo.com or by calling 2-1-1

The New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) will provide significant economic relief to help low and moderate-income households at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability by providing rental arrears, temporary rental assistance and utility arrears assistance. ~ New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance