Emergency Rental Assistance Reaching Westchester's Residents

WHITE PLAINS, NY — Emergency financial aid is reaching Westchester County residents who applied for the New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

The program covers rent and utility arrears for Westchester households at risk of eviction due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a county spokeswoman.

More than $16 million has been issued directly to landlords and utility companies on behalf of 1,140 tenant households in Westchester.

One of the residents was Rohey Mbenga of Elmsford. She applied for emergency assistance in June and was recently notified that more than $33,000 will be issued to her landlord.

Mbenga, a single mother of three who earlier this year lost her job at Lord & Taylor in Eastchester when it shut its doors, welcomed the news of the assistance.

"I was so worried. I couldn't sleep," she said. "I didn't know what to do. You don't want to end up in the street, especially if you have kids."

Mbenga, who recently landed a new job at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, said she learned about the program and then contacted Mount Vernon United Tenants, one of 13 local nonprofits partnering with the county to help people apply for the emergency assistance.

"The staff was very helpful," she said. "They assisted with the application and helped me file online."

The program received more than 4,100 applications from Westchester residents. Applications are still being processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Residents are urged to apply soon while funding is still available.

For more information, including getting help applying for the program, go to this state website.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said all eligible households at risk of housing instability are encouraged to reach out and get the help they need.

"The response we are seeing clearly shows the need for this federal funding for our most vulnerable residents who have suffered financial hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.

New York residents are eligible for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program if they meet all of the following criteria:

• Household gross income is at or below 120 percent of the Area Median Income. These income limits differ by county and household size. A household may qualify based on current income or calendar year 2020 income that is at or below 120 percent AMI.
• On or after March 13, 2020, a member of the household received unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in income, incurred significant costs or experienced financial hardship, directly or indirectly, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The applicant is obligated to pay rent at their primary residence and has rental arrears (rent overdue) at their current residence for rent owed on or after March 13, 2020.
• The household must be at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability, which can be demonstrated by having rental arrears owed on or after March 13, 2020.

The New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program is being funded by $2.6 billion in federal aid. For information and to find a nonprofit partner to help you apply, visit Westchester County’s Housing Help page. Yonkers residents may visit yonkersny.gov to learn about their unique application process.