Statement from Senator Jim Tedisco (R,C-Glenville) on Governor Hochul’s Announcement of $125 million in Rental Assistance Relief for Property Owners

“While this is welcome news, it’s too little assistance and may be too late for many ‘mom and pop’ small business property owners who are struggling to pay their bills because they have not been paid rent for a year and a half and is just an affirmation of the failed eviction moratorium policies put forth by those who control all levers of power at the Capitol.  My colleagues and I have spoken out from the beginning that if renters fail to apply for state rental assistance, property owners will not be paid and will be left in the lurch. If our small property owners go out of business, that negatively impacts our renters as well as there won’t be enough affordable housing stock available. New York State has $2.6 billion in rental assistance available for property owners -- far more than just the $125 million announced today. Let's hope that the entire $2.6 billion in rental assistance money goes out immediately to our cash-strapped small property owners and that this program doesn't end up as another bureaucratic New York pandemic boondoggle like the unemployment insurance fiasco that stiffed thousands of workers out of their benefits,” said Senator Jim Tedisco (R,C-Glenville).