The Legal Aid Society, ahead of the budget deadline, called on Albany to prioritize key measures to serve struggling tenants including creating the Housing Access Voucher Program (HAVP), replenishing the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) to prevent evictions, allocating at least $1 billion to the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) to address existing capital needs, and allowing 421-A to sunset.

HAVP would connect tenants with the resources to secure long-term, affordable housing. Half of the program’s funds would go to families struggling to pay rent, allowing them to stay in their current homes. The other half of the money would go to homeless New Yorkers, providing a path to permanent housing.

To aid households still struggling financially from the pandemic. Albany must allocate at least $1 billion to replenish ERAP to satisfy owed rent and to keep tenants housed. Another $1 billion in funding is required to address NYCHA’s longstanding needs.

Lastly, no budget should reauthorize 421-A, a costly and ineffective tax break that has never generated housing for low-income New Yorkers.

“Albany is at a crossroads, and lawmakers have a genuine opportunity to build on the successes achieved in recent years that truly serve tenants statewide,” a statement from Legal Aid reads in part. “A budget that fails to incorporate these critical measures is one that New Yorkers must wholly reject. Keeping our neighbors safely housed must remain top-of-mind for lawmakers.”