Pop-Up Emergency Rental Assistance Program Event in BK with NYS Senator Roxanne Persaud
On Tuesday, November 9, Good Shepherd Services, one of the largest youth services providers in New York City, and New York State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud came together to host a pop-up event to help over eighty community members – many of whom have struggled to keep up with rent payments due to financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic –apply for the New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).
By providing application assistance, education, and community outreach, Good Shepherd will serve as a comprehensive resource for Brooklyn renters and landlords navigating ERAP. Rental assistance is increasingly vital as illegal evictions continue to rise with few repercussions and groups wage lawsuits to block New York state’s eviction moratorium.
“ERAP is essential to the communities we support and we are thrilled to partner with Senator Persaud to ensure families throughout East New York and Brooklyn can access the financial supports available,” said Michelle Yanche, Executive Director of Good Shepherd Services. “The impact of COVID-19 is lasting and too many New Yorkers remain in jeopardy of losing their homes. Senator Persaud has been an unyielding advocate for affordable housing and homelessness prevention as Chair of the Social Services Committee and we are grateful to partner in providing this information to the community. ”
“As one of four enrollment assistance organizations serving Brooklyn, Good Shepherd Services has been helping residential tenants and landlords access ERAP funds since July, and I thank them for partnering on this pop-up application event,” said Senator Roxanne J. Persaud. “If the economic downturn from the COVID-19 pandemic has made it impossible for you to either pay or collect rent, you should not wait any longer to submit an application.”
ERAP was established to assist New York households – including those of undocumented residents – who are at risk of homelessness or housing instability due to income loss and other financial barriers caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides eligible households with rental assistance of up to 12 months of past-due rent, and for some households, up to 3 months for future rent. ERAP can also provide assistance for up to 12 months of overdue gas and electric bills. While all ERAP payments are issued directly to the landlord or utility provider and landlords can submit on behalf of tenants, all renters must first sign onto the applicant certification page.
Good Shepherd, which has long supported homeless prevention efforts, has prioritized helping community members successfully apply for ERAP over the past year, hosting several ERAP assistance pop-ups all throughout Brooklyn. Good Shepherd has created a comprehensive program with three components – application assistance, education and community outreach, and a call center – to help renters complete ERAP applications.
Renters seeking assistance can also book an appointment by calling Good Shepherd’s ERAP Call Center at (929)552-2248, which is open seven days a week from 8 AM to 8 PM, or by visiting Good Shepherd between 9 AM and 3 PM at 692 Blake Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 11207 or 876 Schenck Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 11207.
New York City renters and landlords can see if they are eligible to apply for ERAP here. If a renter does not quality for ERAP, Good Shepherd will refer them to their Benefits Assistance Program to receive additional rental assistance services, legal support, and other public benefits.
You can find photos from today’s event, with names listed in the description, here.
The event was covered on Telemundo.