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Dear Neighbors,

Tenants with legal and/or housing court-related questions are warmly invited to join us for our August Housing Clinic this Wednesday, August 4th, from 6 to 7pm. Our topic this month is: latest updates on the NYS Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).
* The clinic will be conducted via Zoom. To register and receive Zoom event info -- please click here ([link removed]) . Do not click on the flyer below.
* You can submit questions in advance when you register, and questions will also be taken during the event via Zoom's chat function. The presentation will be led by TakeRoot Justice.

We will also be joined by Crystal Hudson, Democratic nominee for Council Member of City Council District 35. Crystal’s priorities are expanding tenant protections, the right to counsel for all, and true rent relief for tenants.

Important News for Tenants

COVID Rent Relief: Eligible tenants may seek up to 12 months of rental and utility arrears assistance, as well as three prospective months of rent, via the State's Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).
* Applications are being accepted now. Click here ([link removed]) to learn more about eligibility and apply.
* Tenants are eligible to apply regardless of immigration status if their household income is below 80% of "area median income," which you can look up here ([link removed]) .
* If you have an eviction case, it will be stayed while you apply, so you can't be evicted while your application is being processed.

Application Tips: TakeRoot Justice has prepared a very helpful:
* Info sheet with ERAP application tips ([link removed]) ; and a
* Worksheet with a list of questions that tenant applicants can fill out ahead of time ([link removed]) to complete the ERAP application in one sitting.

For assistance with the application, call New York State at 844-NY1-RENT (844-691-7368). If you live in Manhattan, the two organizations below are designated ERAP "enrollers" and can also answer questions.
* Catholic Charities Community Services at 888-744-7900
* University Settlement at 212-453-4500

Other ERAP Resources
* Older adults and persons with disabilities can contact LiveOn NY for assistance with the ERAP application. Phone (212) 398-5045 or email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .
* West Side Campaign Against Hunger is answering questions about the ERAP application. Contact them here ([link removed]) .
* The NY Legal Assistance Group is also answering questions about the ERAP application. Contact them here ([link removed]) .

Eviction Moratorium
A reminder that Governor Cuomo has signed an extension of the COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2020 and the Protect Our Small Businesses Act, effectively extending New York’s eviction and foreclosure moratoriums through August 31, 2021.

Tenants facing eviction must submit a declaration of pandemic-related hardship. Tenants who do not submit such a declaration as a justification for non-payment of rent, or who create safety or health hazards for other tenants, can still be evicted. Renters can use Eviction Free NY ([link removed]) , an online tool that automatically sends the hardship declaration to housing court as well as your landlord at no cost.

If you are facing a possible eviction, help is available. You can access free legal services on our website ([link removed]) , by looking under "Housing."
We're Here to Help

My office assists people with housing issues, seniors, the disabled, the recently un (or under) employed, the food insecure, and all those suffering the many consequences of this pandemic, to help in any way we can.

Please call (212) 873-0282, leave a message and we will call you back as soon as possible; email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) ; or check our website, HelenRosenthal.com ([link removed]) . We update it on a regular basis with information about public benefits, non-profit resources, and health facts Upper West Siders have needed to get through this crisis.

Warmly,

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