KINGSTON – Rental relief for tenants and landlords is available in Ulster County through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) through the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.
This program makes up to $2.7 billion in emergency rental assistance available to households that are behind on their rent and have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19, that are at risk of homelessness or housing instability, and that earn at or below 80 percent of the area median income. The program also provides assistance with unpaid utility bills.
“Residents of Ulster County and New Yorkers in every corner of the state were financially strained by the COVID-19 Pandemic,” said Michael Iapoce, the county’s social services commissioner. “ERAP will assist in providing the vital resources that many of our neighbors need to satisfy their rental obligations as we move towards a post-pandemic economy.”
ERAP pays up to 12 months of past-due rent and, for some households, up to 3 months for future rent. The program can also pay for up to 12 months of overdue electric or gas bills. Payments will be made directly to landlords and utility providers.
Eligible residents must meet the following criteria:
- Household gross income at or below 80 percent of area median income (varies by county and household size).
- 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 owes past due rent at their current residence.
The eviction moratorium is currently set to end on August 31. During the first 30 days, the ERAP program will prioritize the unemployed, those with income at or below 50 percent of area median income, and other vulnerable populations. After the first 30 days, applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, as long as funds remain available. The Ulster County Department of Social Services will be provided with regular reports on the number of applications by zip code in order to track the need and assistance available in our municipalities. For more information and to apply, tenants and landlords may visit https://otda.ny.gov/programs/emergency-rental-assistance/. A Call Center is available at (844) NY1RENT or (844) 691-7368.
Ulster County community partners are available to answer questions on eligibility, case management, and to provide application assistance. These include:
Family of Woodstock, (845) 331-7080
Catholic Charities, (845) 340-9170
RUPCO, (845) 331-2140
Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, (845) 331-9373
For general questions, please call the Ulster County Recovery Service Center (RSC) at 845-443-8888 or visit the County’s virtual center at https://covid19.ulstercountyny.gov/erap/.
