NEW YORK CITY – Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Monday insisted that his executive order halting evictions is enough to protect tenants across New York state amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Affordable housing advocates have urged the state consider suspending rent payments for certain tenants due to the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, which has shuttered businesses and ground the economy to a near screeching halt. But Cuomo said during a news conference at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City that his executive order to stop evictions for 60 days “solves all of the above.”
“I think our policy answers it,” he said. “It does not mean you won’t owe rent” at some point.
Cuomo previously issued an executive order that postpones mortgage payments for 90 days for individuals under financial distress, a move that will not effect credit ratings or result in any penalties.
A bill proposed by Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris, D-Queens, currently in the Senate’s Finance Committee would allow tenants experiencing financial hardship due to government restrictions in response to the coronavirus to make rent payments up to 30 percent of their current income or their contractual rent, whichever is less, per month for the duration of 90 days following the bill’s effective date. It would also absolve tenants from paying the remainder owed later on. The proposal also includes establishing a COVID-19 rental assistance fund.
Unemployment claims have surged across the country as businesses close and, at least temporarily, lay off workers to deal with the economic downturn facing the nation. The state Labor Department has seen initial unemployment insurance claims rise 520 percent over the past year, with more than 80,500 claims filed the week of March 21, the latest figures available.
As state lawmakers tackle the budget this week, Gianaris said he will push for his bill to be approved, but stressed the quickest response would be for Cuomo to issue an executive order.
“There are millions of tenants in this state and many of them live paycheck to paycheck. Because of the crisis, we’ve just denied them their paychecks,” Gianaris said. “Rather than have a massive housing crisis right around the corner when rents and mortgages aren’t getting paid, and the evictions and foreclosure follow from that by the thousands, it’s important to set up a procedure for that now and ensure quick recovery.”
The Capitol Confidential team: