Moratorium for Renters Extended Through January 15, 2022

Photo By; Photo by Anders Holm-Jensen on Unsplash

Gov. Kathy Hochul extended the renter’s moratorium for COVID-related residential and commercial evictions through January 15, 2022. 

In the press release describing the extension, Governor Hochul explains that New Yorkers can apply for assistance through the state's Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). Those who have an application pending are protected while the application is processed. Those who qualify for assistance will receive a year of eviction protections. There are no immigrant requirements to qualify for this program. Apply here.

Tenant must show they fell behind on their rent or utility bills after March 13, 2020 and that they do not exceed 80 percent of Average Median Income. For those who qualify, up to 12 months of back payments will be made on their behalf. The funds will be paid directly to the landlords for the back rent.

Other benefits include (from the NYS website):

·       Up to 3 months of additional rental assistance if the household is expected to spend 30 percent or more of their gross monthly income to pay for rent.

·       Up to 12 months of electric or gas utility arrears payments for arrears that have accrued on or after March 13, 2020.

Those who are eligible should apply as soon as they can since funds for this program are finite. According to The New York Times, “As of Aug. 23, the most recent data available, more than 176,000 applications had been received by the state.” As Gov. Hochul began serving as governor, she pledged she would add staff to speed up the application process.

Westchester County is working with a number of not for profits to help tenants work through the ERAP application process. Services are available in English and Spanish.

Hunger Action Month: Rise in Food Insecurity is

Another Side Effect of the Pandemic

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Food insecurity in the United States was an issue long before the pandemic. The pandemic has increased the need and complicated the ways for people to find help. CHHOP has seen a 300% increase in people who need Fred’s Pantry to feed their families.

According to the Food Bank of New York, the meal gap for New York State before the pandemic was 367 million, meaning that residents who experience food insecurity fall short of an adequate diet by 367 million meals in a year.

The government has worked throughout the pandemic to reach families in need of food, but the distribution of funds was very uneven throughout the country and even each state. Government officials point to antiquated lists, computer systems and more. 

SNAP benefits will be seeing an increase beginning in October 2021. According to Hunger Solutions of New York, “The revised Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) results in a meaningful, but modest increase in SNAP benefit levels. The maximum SNAP benefits will increase by 21 percent—raising the average benefit from about $4.25 per person per day to about $5.45 per person per day starting October 1, 2021. This modest increase will make a difference for families who often run out of benefits before month’s end.”

For families seeking local assistance, Fred’s Pantry continues to operate its healthy food-based model pantry. It has pivoted from a choice food pantry to a “bag and go” since the pandemic began in March 2020. The pantry provides fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and foods that strengthen people’s immune systems as well as the typical non-perishables found at most pantries. The variety is meant to provide more balanced, nutritious options.

This year Fred’s Pantry has served 36,215 so far. We are consistently ​serving approximately 1,100 food insecure people weekly, which is 300% higher than pre-pandemic figures.

Hours of operation are Wednesdays, 4 to 6 p.m., and Saturdays, 9 to 11 a.m. To donate to CHHOP and help Fred’s Pantry, visit https://chhop.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/chhop/donation.jsp