Clerical error delays vote on New York eviction freeze extension

A row of homes in Maspeth. Eagle file photo by Katie Finkowski

By David Brand

A clerical error has delayed until May 3 a vote on legislation that would extend protections for New Yorkers facing eviction, state lawmakers said.

Existing protections enacted late last year allow New Yorkers to delay eviction or foreclosure until at least May 1 if they submit a “hardship declaration form,” a simple document indicating that they were financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Lawmakers are seeking to extend the protections until August 31 to give the state time to implement a $2.4 billion rent relief program that will cover up to a year of arrears for qualifying tenants.

The Assembly initially passed the measure before discovering a line in the legislation that still said protections would expire May 1. A spokesperson for Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz, the bill’s sponsor, said lawmakers have amended the legislation and will likely vote on Monday, May 3. 

Because courts are closed on May 1 and May 2 — a Saturday and Sunday — the delay should not have a practical impact, the spokesperson said.

Queens Assemblymember Khaleel Anderson said the delay is essential for keeping tenants in their homes and making landlords whole after a year of missed payments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 “We’ve got $2.4 billion coming down the pike and state legislators and agencies are working together to make sure this program actually works.” Anderson said. “And in order to do that we need time and we do expect the programs to be up and running sometime in the late spring and early summer.”

He said he has heard from landlord constituents who are have not received rent payments in months and are eager to recoup their losses. 

“I’m already getting the emails and tweets, but I want them to understand it’s on its way,” Anderson said. “The money’s coming. We just need some more time.”