Queens Lawmaker Unveils Rent Relief Plan For Coronavirus Crisis

NEW YORK CITY — A Queens lawmaker unveiled a proposal Monday to aid tenants and small business owners who are struggling to make rent because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

State Sen. Mike Gianaris' bill would grant 90-day rent suspensions to tenants who lost their jobs and small business owners forced to close up shop due to government-mandated restrictions enacted to combat the spread of the new coronavirus.

Eligible residential and commercial tenants would "never be required to pay any rent waived" during the 90-day period, which would start immediately after the bill is signed into law, and any leases that expire in that timeframe would be subject to automatic renewal at the same rate.

The bill also calls for relief for any landlords who experience "financial hardship" thanks to the rent forgiveness proposal.

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"We must stay on top of the fast-changing consequences of our efforts to contain the virus, and the millions of tenants in our state cannot be left behind," Gianaris said. "Suspending rents is a critically important step to help New Yorkers survive this unprecedentedly difficult time."

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said during a news conference Sunday that the state "took care of the rent issue here in New York," drawing the ire of tenant activists who say his mortgage payment suspension and a statewide measure halting evictions don't go far enough.

Groups like the statewide coalition Housing Justice for All say a rent moratorium is necessary to help renters stay afloat during the coronavirus crisis.

"The best way Cuomo can actually take care of the rent issue is to cancel rent now for all New Yorkers," Cea Weaver, of the Housing Justice for All campaign, said Sunday. "Rent payment owed or accumulated during the length of this crisis should be canceled. Period."

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