Amid Mounting Public Pressure, Ithaca Tenants and Lawmakers Join Forces to Try and Cancel Rent [AUDIO]
Since the spread of COVID-19 in the U.S. began in early 2020, the novel coronavirus has emerged into a global health crisis. We’ve seen overcrowded hospitals, millions infected with COVID-19, and hundreds of thousands of deaths from complications from the virus. And on top of that, the U.S., and our region is experiencing a huge economic fallout from the pandemic.
WRFI News Intern Phoebe Harms reports on the efforts of the Ithaca Tenants Union and Ithaca City Council Members to support a movement happening across the country to provide economic relief to citizens: the push to cancel rent.
The Ithaca tenants union has also teamed up with Cornell law school to set up a housing hotline, which can be reached via email at ITUHousingHotline@gmail.com and by phone at 607-301-1560.
Renters seeking relief can also apply to a COVID Rent Relief Program through the state that will provide eligible households with a one-time rental subsidy that applicants won’t have to repay. To see your eligibility and how to apply, Call the COVID Rent Relief Program Call Center at 1-833-499-0318.
Footage of the Mayor of Ithaca speaking to Tenants Union's protest in early July to demand he draft and eventually sign an executive order canceling rent. Courtesy of Anna Lamb with the Ithaca Voice.