“With the pandemic surging and months remaining before the vaccine distribution reaches critical mass, we are facing a growing risk of an eviction and foreclosure crisis. The COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act will help prevent thousands of New Yorkers from losing their housing due to COVID-19 and related economic impacts.

“We’re in the middle of winter and in the midst of a deadly pandemic; the last thing we want is to have thousands of families rendered homeless. This legislation halts evictions and foreclosures for 60 days, after which a tenant or homeowner can apply to further stay the eviction or foreclosure until May 1, upon providing a declaration of financial hardship, which must be signed under penalty of perjury. The legislation also creates an exception to the moratorium for tenants who engage in behavior that substantially infringes on the use and enjoyment of other occupants or endangers the safety of others. In that situation, an eviction is permissible.

“Additionally, under the new law, small landlords would be able to stay mortgage and tax foreclosure and tax lien sales until May 1, 2021. The legislation also requires the automatic renewal of the Senior Citizens Homeowner exemption and the Persons with Disabilities and Limited Income Homeowner exemption. These measures are in addition to the measures passed earlier this year preventing utilities from being shut off where the tenant or homeowner cannot pay the bill as a result of a financial hardship created by COVID-19.

“The intent of this legislation is to prevent mass evictions of families, who through no fault of their own, find themselves without the means to pay their rent or mortgage. I believe that this law will help keep thousands of New Yorkers in their homes, protect countless individuals from increased risk of exposure to COVID-19, and support a more rapid and robust post-pandemic recovery.”