Victory for Tenants! New York Extends the Eviction Moratorium
The state legislature felt our sustained pressure through calls, petitions, and direct actions, and extended the eviction moratorium until January 15, 2022. Read below for more information about the extension and resources if you were impacted by Hurricane Ida.
Key Updates from the New Eviction Moratorium
- Like the past moratorium, this one protects tenants who can attest to financial hardship as a result of COVID-19. Due to the Supreme Court ruling, landlords now have the opportunity to challenge a tenant's attestation.
- If you already filled out a hardship form, you should be covered by this extension. If you haven't filled out the hardship form yet, make sure you do so. It should be back on the site in a few days.
- Apply for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP): While the new moratorium is important to protect tenants, it is still critical to apply to get rental arrears and maximum protections. As soon as you apply for ERAP, you start to get protections from evictions and once you are accepted, you get a year of protections from rent increases and evictions. ERAP will provide twelve months of back rent and three months of future rent if you qualify. ERAP is open to all New Yorkers with current rent debt, this includes people without immigration status, without leases, and with high amounts of rent debt.
More info and resources:
Application: https://otda.ny.gov/ERAP
RENTAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION HOTLINE: 1-844-NY1-RENT (1-844-691-7368)
List of what you need to apply
Video on how to apply
Have more questions? Contact the Southwest Brooklyn Tenant Union at swbtenantunion@cganyc.org
Do you need support after Hurricane Ida?
We know that Southwest Brooklyn is prone to flooding and is disproportionately impacted by storms. If you were impacted by Hurricane Ida please reach out for support and review the resources below:
Essential Resources for Hurricane Ida Relief
Service Centers: In response to the unprecedented storm on Wednesday, the City of New York has opened up service centers in every borough. Service centers will provide in-person assistance to anyone affected by the storm, including providing emergency food, housing, mental health services, and any referrals that people may need. You can walk in with no appointment. The Brooklyn service centers are located at:
Job Center CMU Waiting Area (Bushwick): 95 Evergreen Avenue, 2nd Floor
Starting Friday, September 5 from 12PM to 6PMP.S. 15 (Red Hook): 71 Sullivan Street, Brooklyn, New York 11231
Starting Saturday, September 4 from 8AM to 8PM
Damage Reporting:
Damage Assessment Tool: to report any general damage that the City has not yet responded to, you can use the Damage Assessment Tool to immediately flag for the City’s attention. Please note that this form is for tracking purposes only, so you will not be provided with a confirmation number. For more specific flags, please use the below 311 forms.
Damaged Businesses: to report damaged businesses, the first step is to immediately contact your insurance company and file a claim. New Yorkers can also call the NYC Department of Small Business Services at 888-727-4692 for one-on-one assistance with an SBS representative.
Reporting to 311:
Flooding and Ponding: to report flooding on a street or sidewalk, please use this form. DEP will inspect the location within 24 hours of receiving your complaint.
Fallen Trees and Branches: to report City trees and branches that have fallen on public property (including streets, sidewalks, parks, plazas, and other public spaces), please use this form. Note that this does not apply to private trees that are located on private property.
Power Outage: to report a power outage or to file a power outage claim to be reimbursed for spoiled food, please use this form.
Private Property Damage: to report private property damage, including automobile damage and water damage, you can file a claim with the City Comptroller’s Office here. Please note that claims must be filed within 90 days of the incident. For any damage claims caused by Hurricane Ida, all claims must be filed by November 30, 2021.
Leaking or Ruptured Oil Tanks: if you suspect an oil tank leak or rupture in your home, please call the NYSDEC Spill Hotline immediately at 800-457-7362.
FEMA Assistance: NYS and NYC officials are currently working with FEMA representatives to identify and determine eligibility for locations eligible for Individual Assistance (IA) funding. You might not be able to complete an application until after Labor Day, but please keep an eye on this website or call 1-800-621-3362. In the meantime, be sure to document any potential damage.
NYC Post-Storm Resources: the City has compiled an additional list of post-storm resources that includes post-loss insurance tips for businesses, food and housing assistance, short-term emergency pet boarding, and assistance with replacing lost or damaged documents like your IDNYC. You can find that here. Please also carefully read the recommended steps for properly disinfecting and cleaning up your home after a flood, including this guideline from NYC Emergency Management.