Friends -
Just a few days ago, Congress failed to extend the eviction moratorium that went into effect in March 2020, protecting renters from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here in New York State, however, the eviction moratorium isn’t up until the end of this month - meaning that we have the opportunity to prevent an oncoming wave of evictions, if we act quickly.
The pandemic is not over. You’re likely aware that COVID-19 cases are rising in many parts of our state due to the highly contagious delta variant. Right now, 500,000 people in New York City alone owe back rent - meaning all of these individuals could face eviction at the end of this month during an ongoing pandemic. Mass evictions aren’t just inhumane - they’re also a serious public health hazard.
Governor Andrew Cuomo has the opportunity to prevent this wave of evictions - and in turn rising COVID-19 cases - by extending the eviction moratorium further. But we only have a few weeks to act, so I’m asking for your support:
I have also been working with other members of the state legislature to protect renters, who continue to suffer from the economic fallout of the pandemic.
Just recently, 43 other New York State legislators and I wrote a letter to Governor Cuomo raising concerns about New York’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP.)
New York received $2.7 billion from the federal government to distribute as rent relief, but up until recently, none of that money had been distributed. Many constituents reported to my office that they were struggling to navigate the online application to access the funds.
Just a few days after we sent the letter, the first rent relief checks went out the door. So we know for a fact that putting pressure on Cuomo and his administration yields results - and we need to do it again to prevent mass evictions.
Thank you for your support. I will be in touch with more updates when I have them.
All my best,
Alessandra Biaggi
Paid For By The Committee To Elect Alessandra Biaggi
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