Albany Times Union: State Courts Extend Eviction Moratorium Until Oct. 1

On August 13, 2020, Amanda Fries of the Albany Times Union reported on the recent extension of New York's eviction moratorium until October 1, 2020. The moratorium, which Senator Kavanagh has strongly advocated for since March, will ensure tenants are protected from eviction and homelessness in the weeks ahead. The full text of this story is below; the original version is available via the link above.
_______________

State Courts Extend Eviction Moratorium Until Oct. 1
By Amanda Fries
August 13, 2020

ALBANY – State Sen. Brian Kavanagh applauded the state Office of Court Administration’s decision to strictly limit eviction proceedings and extend a moratorium on carrying out evictions until Oct. 1, 2020. 

Kavanagh, who chairs the Senate’s Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development, said the court’s latest announcement is a welcome response to the ongoing public health and economic crises New York faces from the coronavirus pandemic. 

Since March, Kavanagh, other elected officials and housing advocates have called for a pause on evictions during the pandemic.

“COVID-19 has made it more important than ever that people have a secure place to live and that they do not endure the wrenching process of being displaced from their homes,” Kavanagh said in an emailed statement. “I thank the leadership of our court system for continuing to recognize this today; for taking action consistent with the many other emergency measures that public agencies have implemented during this extraordinary time; and for providing relief from the threat of eviction for all residential tenants, at least for the next seven weeks.”

Many tenants have been unable to afford rent since COVID-19 took its grip on New York, forcing businesses to shutter or ask employees to work from home and leaving millions out of work. While the Legislature allotted $100 million to assist families in paying rent and mortgage payments, legislators recognized additional funding would be necessary.  Lawmakers hope that additional federal funds will be earmarked for housing assistance.