Politics & Government
NYC Council Members Back Coronavirus '#CancelRent' Bill
Ten City Council members urged state legislators to pass a bill suspending rent for 90 days as tenants citywide dreaded a harsh due date.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK â Dawn broke on April 1 without rent relief for thousands, if not millions, of New Yorkers unable to pay rent amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Ten City Council members on Tuesday made a last ditch effort to persuade state legislators to pass a proposed 90-day rent suspension. Passing the #CancelRent bill is a matter of human rights, they wrote in a letter.
"We cannot look back and say we didn't do everything we could to take care of our communities during this crisis," they wrote.
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COVID-19 is already having devastating impacts on our communities, including severe job loss and familiesâ healthcare. New Yorkers should not have to shoulder rent burdens on top of that. Proud to support @SenGianaris @yuhline #CancelRent bill alongside @NYCCouncil colleagues. pic.twitter.com/un4M121AXe
â (((Stephen Levin))) (@StephenLevin33) April 1, 2020
About 40 percent of New York tenants likely won't be able to pay rent in April, the New York Times reported. Gov. Andrew Cuomo instituted a freeze on mortgages and a 90-day halt on evictions, but advocates maintain that's not enough for renters.
When pressed about protections for renters on Tuesday, Cuomo stood up and left after making a short reply: "We'll deal with that when we get to it."
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The letter is signed by city council members Stephen Levin, Brad Lander, Diana Ayala, Ben Kallos, Helen Rosenthal, Carlos Mechaca, Carlina Rivera, Costa Constantinides, Margaret Chin and Mark Treyger.
They wrote the best way to protect tenants is to halt rent payments for everyone.
"While the Governor has taken important steps to halt eviction proceedings for 90 days, without a full waiver of rent, struggling families and small businesses will continue to be at serious risk," they wrote. "Any tenant who has fallen behind on payment over the coming three months due to business or job loss will still be burdened when the eviction moratorium is lifted."
The council members argued Queens state Sen. Michael Gianaris' and Assembly Member Yuh Line Niou's bills are "urgently needed."
The so-called "#CancelRent" bills would suspend residential and small business rent for 90 days for tenants who have faced a coronavirus loss of business or income.
The bills are still in the legislature.
Coronavirus In NYC: What's Happened And What You Need To Know
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