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Eviction moratorium end nears as renters, landlords struggle to make payments

Isabel Braverman - Staff Writer
Posted 4/15/21

MONTICELLO — Legislation signed into law in New York State that places a moratorium on COVID-related residential evictions and foreclosure proceedings is set to expire on May 1.

Sullivan …

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Eviction moratorium end nears as renters, landlords struggle to make payments

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MONTICELLO — Legislation signed into law in New York State that places a moratorium on COVID-related residential evictions and foreclosure proceedings is set to expire on May 1.

Sullivan County Commissioner of Social Services John Liddle said that help is on the way for renters and landlords as money allocated in the federal American Rescue Plan will go toward funding back-owed rent.

“Preparations for the most efficient possible distribution of American Rescue Plan funds and the end of the pandemic eviction moratorium are the top priority at Department of Family Services this month,” Liddle said.

He said the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance is expected to establish an online application platform that will go live in mid-April and their office will assist those who cannot file their applications online.

Who the funds will go to will be based on a prioritization scale, with those with the lowest incomes receiving more funding.

Liddle said his office recently completed a survey that was sent to all landlords in the county.

“[We wanted] to try and understand the scope of the issue related to housing and the eviction moratorium and what we might be looking at in the months ahead,” Liddle remarked.

The non-scientific survey garnered responses from 91 operators of rental properties, which accounts for 3,357 rental units, or roughly one third of rental units in the county.

The survey found that 647 units are in arrears, amounting to $2.2 million worth of owed rent.

Liddle said that number is likely even higher, and they expect 1,000 to 1,700 rental units are going to be looking for emergency rental assistance funds when they become available.

The American Rescue Plan provides $21.6 billion for states and local governments to assist households that are unable to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 crisis.

“I want to make sure we get our share of that and it helps our local economy,” Liddle said.

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