December 2020

New York State COVID-19 Rent Relief Program

 

The application period for the COVID-19 Rent Relief Program ended on August 6, 2020 however, last week New York State Governor Cuomo announced that the program would launch again and with new eligibility requirements. As it turns out, only $40 million of the $100 million allocated in the budget was actually disbursed. The funds were provided under the CARES Act and will be returned to the federal government if not spent by December 30, 2020. Stay tuned! We will share additional information as it becomes available. You can also check DHCR’s website. 

COVID-19 Food Relief Project 

Food insecurity refers to USDA’s measure of lack of access to food for an active healthy life for all household members and uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate foods. Since May 2020, we have partnered with Papasito (a local supermarket in West Harlem) to deliver groceries to senior citizens and low-income families. Last month, we provided Turkeys and Pernil along with fresh produce in time for the Thanksgiving holidays. 

 

To date, we have provided groceries to over 700 families and we are tremendously grateful for Papasito and for every person who has donated to our COVID-19 Food Relief Project including Joe Tahl of Tahl Propp and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, who stepped in with additional turkeys. Their individual contribution, combined with the volunteer work of others, helps create permanent community resources for our low-income families.   

Important Legal Documents You Need During

COVID-19 & After

Children's Christmas Toy Distribution

The holidays are here! We are happy to announce that this year we are partnering with Joe Talh of Talh Propp and Ron Moelis of L&M to provide toys to needy families. Our plan this year is to bring a warm smile to 400 children, ages 1-17. 

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Apply Here for a One-Shot Deal if You Owe Rent 

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Monthly Real Estate Article Roundup 

Surviving on Hot Plates and Takeout: 73 Days Without Cooking Gas

Scores of Queens residents are struggling to prepare meals for their families since their gas was shut off. By On Thanksgiving Day, outside the Astoria Houses in Queens, a food truck offered free chicken tenders and French fries to residents.

Appeals court pauses relocation of UWS Lucerne Hotel homeless to FiDi district

The city's plan to move a group of homeless men from the Upper West Side to the Financial District has been temporarily halted - again, an appeals court ruled Thursday. A group of FiDi residents and businesses called the Downtown New Yorkers, Inc.

What's Ahead for New York City Housing in 2021

Next year will mark a critical time for New York land use and housing policies, as the city faces a looming evictions crisis and the de Blasio administration will push to approve its final neighborhood rezonings.

New York to Relax Rent Relief Requirements

The eligibility requirements for New York's rent-relief program will be relaxed so that more can access the funds. Details of the specific changes to the program were not provided, but sources said Gov. Andrew Cuomo would make the change via an executive order issued late Thursday or Friday morning.

What is a 'constructive eviction' and what situations does it apply to?

On rare occasions, the condition of an apartment becomes so intolerable that tenants are forced to vacate. When the issues are caused by a landlord-or their negligence-it is considered a constructive eviction. Unlike a traditional eviction, which a landlord initiates, a constructive eviction is sought by a tenant in response to a problem caused by a landlord, or by someone that your landlord has authority over.

Tenants Sue Trump Over Scheme That Drove Up Their Rents

The latest legal front against the outbound president involves a maneuver that earned him and his siblings millions while lowering their taxes. President Trump will face a raft of potential legal challenges when he leaves office - from, among others, the Manhattan district attorney, the New York attorney general and perhaps the United States Justice Department.

What to know if your landlord is using a collection agency to go after your unpaid rent

If you lost income during New York City's shutdown and are struggling to make rent as a result of the pandemic, it's very likely your landlord is chasing you for money you haven't been able to pay. Many New Yorkers owe a portion of their rent, while others owe rent going back to the spring.

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