New York's Rent Relief Program Falls Short for Struggling Tenants

Between two rounds of funding, the city of New York has only awarded $7 million of a total $60 million intended for tenant relief.

2 minute read

March 30, 2021, 7:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Central Park Aerial

T photography / Shutterstock

"Nearly eight weeks after the February 1st deadline, New York has paid out just $7 million out of $60 million available for struggling tenants," writes Katherine Fung in Gothamist. This is according to figures from State Assemblymember Zohran Kwame Mamdani. The state estimates that "between 800,000 to 1.2 million households in New York collectively owe more than $2 billion in rent," yet between its two rounds, the state's rent relief program "awarded $47 million in subsidies to 16,000 households, or roughly 16% of the total applications received since September." 

Many applicants were disqualified because they received federal and state unemployment benefits during part of 2020—payments which expired last July. "At the point at which people really needed help with rent, the program closed its doors," Legal Aid Society attorney Ellen Davidson told Fung.

State Senator Brian Kavanagh, chair of the chamber’s Housing Committee, and other lawmakers "have since proposed a new program that would help tenants pay up to 12 months of rental arrears and utility bills." Kavanagh says the proposal is "ambitious enough and is generous enough that we really think we can pay virtually all of the rent arrears that have built up in the entire state."

Community organizers like Cea Weaver with Housing Justice for All caution that "while funding for the new program appears sufficient, its effectiveness will also depend on whether the state simplifies the application process and conducts adequate outreach to tenants, especially in non-English speaking communities."

Tuesday, March 23, 2021 in Gothamist

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

April 30 - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30 - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

April 30 - Next City