Governor Andrew Cuomo has pledged to streamline the process for applications to the State’s Emergency Rent Relief Program, as reported by THE CITY.

The action comes after Senator Charles Schumer publicly implored New York to do more to expedite payments to tenants and landlords. While there is over $2 billion available for those who suffered economic hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic, almost none of the money has been distributed.

Advocates appreciate the Governor’s attention to fixing the problem with processing applications but need more specific details including a plan to address the program’s website, which has been a source of frustration for potential applicants.

“It is good news that additional resources will be targeted at processing applications and sending out approvals,” said Ellen Davidson, a staff attorney in the Civil Law Reform Unit at The Legal Aid Society. “However, we hope that those resources will also go to repairing the glitchy website and simplifying the application process.”