Signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes an interim residential rent relief program.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the Division of Housing and Community Renewal (HRC) to establish and implement an interim residential relief program to provide up to $100 million of monies allocated to the state by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 (Sec. 1).

• Establishes a voucher program to assist with rent payment in the coverage period from April, 1 2020, to July 31, 2020, to provide vouchers to the owners of the dwelling units of applicants of eligible households in an amount equal to the difference between the applicant’s rent burden on March, 1 2020 and their rent burden during the month the assistance is requested for (Sec.1).

• Defines “eligible households” as households with an income below 80 percent of the area median income, with a rent burden, and which have lost income during the coverage period (Sec. 1). 

• Defines “rent burden” as the amount of a contract monthly rent which is more than 30 percent of the household income (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that applicants are not required to repay assistance granted through this program (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the HRC to delegate the administration of portions of this program to housing agencies or non-profit organizations (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the HRC to prioritize households with the greatest economic and social need in processing applications for assistance (Sec. 1).

• Requires the HRC to publish a report detailing monthly expenditures and subsidy recipient data by October 31, 2020 (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text