Statement on Decision by the Courts to Extend the Moratorium on Residential Evictions

Statement by Senate Housing Chair Brian Kavanagh on Today’s Decision by the Courts to Extend the Moratorium on Residential Evictions

NEW YORK, NY – New York State Senator Brian Kavanagh, Chair of the Senate Committee on Housing, Construction, and Community Development issued the following statement in response to the announcement today by the Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence K. Marks of the State’s Unified Court System that provides for strict limits on eviction proceedings, and a moratorium on carrying out evictions, until October 1, 2020:

“Today’s announcement from the State court system is a welcome response to the ongoing public health and economic crises we face as COVID-19 continues to grip our state and our country.

“Since March, I have joined many New Yorkers in advocating for the courts—and for all parties—to acknowledge the simple truth that residential evictions are not safe or appropriate in the midst of this 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. 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.

“I will continue to advocate for additional measures through legislation and executive orders, as needed, to ensure that we do everything in our power to keep New Yorkers safe and secure in their homes--between now and October 1st, and beyond--but today’s announcement is very good news.”

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Updated 8/12/2020, 3:51pm.