The federally-funded statewide COVID Rent Relief Program launched over the summer, but over half of all reviewed applications to the program have been denied and 40% of the money hasn’t been distributed, according to Documented NY.

Among the many problems with the program is the fact that undocumented immigrants are not allowed to apply directly. Undocumented immigrants are shut out of most rental assistance from the government, and this program is no exception.

“We have this huge bubble that’s just building, of debt and fear, and it’s going to burst, probably in 2021, January or February,” said Sateesh Nori, Attorney-in-Charge of our Queens Housing Office. “And then what happens? Are people going to be evicted by the thousands? Are landlords going to be defaulting on their mortgages by the thousands?”