State Sen. Michael Gianaris (NY Senate Media Services)
Feb. 3, 2021 By Michael Dorgan
State Sen. Mike Gianaris is calling on the governor to provide a $2.2 billion relief package for residential tenants and small landlords in the upcoming state budget.
Gianaris penned a letter to Cuomo on Feb. 1 stating that many tenants are suffering under the economic crisis and face the possibility of being evicted if they do not receive financial aid.
“Millions of our fellow New Yorkers are currently struggling to make ends meet and wondering how they will keep a roof over their heads,” Gianaris wrote.
The lawmaker wrote that the state cannot rely on the federal government to sufficiently bail out tenants and small landlords – such is the urgency of the matter – and wants Cuomo to establish a Housing Stability Relief Fund in the budget.
The fund would be financed by raising taxes on the wealthy and by setting aide income that the state has on hand. He said that the fund would be enough to forgive the rent obligations of 1.3 million renter households.
“Those who have thrived over the last year should be asked to contribute to New York’s recovery, and our richest residents have certainly thrived, growing their wealth exponentially during the pandemic,” Gianaris said.
He added that any money the state receives from the federal government in the future could also be put toward the fund.
The governor has already released two budget proposals: one is based on the state receiving a $15 billion bailout from the federal government and the other – which Cuomo dubbed the “worst-case scenario” – would anticipate New York getting $6 billion.
The state legislature must approve the budget by April 1.
Gianaris, who has been a vocal supporter of the #CancelRent movement, said that the Housing Stability Relief Fund would be used to pay small landlords directly in order to cover the arrears of their tenants.
He wrote that this system would be the fastest way to administer the aid, adding that mom and pop landlords would be prioritized during the distribution process.
“A fund like this must center on equity, supporting small landlords, co-ops, non-profit affordable housing providers and higher-need communities first,” he wrote.
“Inherent in that equity is the fact tenants and small landlords were some of the hardest-hit New Yorkers and were largely left behind by actions of the previous [Trump] administration.”
The move was welcomed by the housing advocacy group Housing Justice for All. The group noted that the date of Gianaris’ letter marked the 11th rent payment month since the onset of the pandemic.
“And for the 11th month in a row, there is no aid for the tenants and struggling landlords,” HJFA Coordinator Cea Weaver said.
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5 Comments
This is BS we should not be bailing out the tenants that didn’t pay the rent they got paid to sit home and collect the $600 tax-free a week plus unemployment blush stemless checks instead of paying their bills they bought big screen TVs dirt bikes trampoline thanks they would never buy instead of paying the rent meanwhile they are home and safe and for us people that had to work through the pandemic and pay our bills I think this is BS as a union Carpenter I couldn’t sit home and get paid I had to work at school at nursing homes
As a landlord of one single family home. In the town of Crawford, Orange County. My tenants who can afford rent stopped paying because the laws protect them!
They can sign a document proclaiming that they are suffering. Without giving any proof.
This is not fair to me! I am paying a Heloc monthly. The interest is high.
When are we the small time landlord going to get a break?
Cuomo should in his briefings address the situation. Hold tenants who can pay accountable.
What about commercial tenants, Mike? Oh, that’s right, the Amazon killer hates small business, too.
Maybe NYC can get a large corporation to invest and create thousands of jobs…
Oh wait, Gianaris already killed that idea 🙁
Landlords are dying, the moratorium is killing us. Please help. Many renters are taking advantage of the moratorium, and we are left holding the bag, and this is not fair. We pay taxes, mortgage and insurance, why do the tenants get to get away from their responsibility ? Everyone knows when the moratorium is up, residents will just walk out, no one way pay the balance. No one. Governor Cuomo, you’ve got to hear us out, please. I am begging you.