The Legal Aid Society has joined forces with the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) to call for more government action in the form of streamlined rental assistance, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.

As the effects of the COVID-19 shutdowns continue to hamper thousands of New Yorker’s ability to pay their rent, property owners have also felt the squeeze. The situation has drawn housing rights advocates and real estate interests onto the same side, leading both to call for leadership and action from elected officials across the state.

While hopeful that the partnership will generate pressure, attorneys at Legal Aid caution that it may not last. Both submitted briefs – taking opposing sides – in an ongoing federal lawsuit that attempts to overturn rent control laws nationwide.

“It’s nothing like a crisis to bring odd bedfellows together,” said Judith Goldiner, Attorney-in-Charge in the Legal Aid Society’s Civil Law Reform Unit. “I guess REBNY thinks they can’t evict themselves out of this crisis. And I would think that would be right.”