Gov. Hochul is Investing $1M to Speed up Rent Relief
(Jimmy Jordan / WRFI)
ITHACA, NY -- New York is putting $1 million dollars into marketing and outreach efforts for the State’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).
The $2.7 billion dollar Rental Assistance Program was dubbed ‘poorly managed’ by the State Comptroller’s Office two weeks ago, namely for it’s poor outreach, sluggish application approvals, and the lack of detail gathered in applicant data.
The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance is administering the program. Governor Kathy Hochul has aimed to improve ERAP by funding outreach, but also by reassigning 100 contracted staff to work with landlords on completing applications.
Landlords and tenants both need to apply for either to see any ERAP funds. Assistance from the program can cover up to 12 months of past-due rent and utility payments, and up to three months of prospective rental assistance.
Assistance applying for ERAP in Schuyler County can be found through Catholic Charities of Chemung and Schuyler Counties. ERAP assistance in Tompkins County can be found through the Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County.
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