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LAS Warns Eviction Moratorium Does Not Protect Tenants Enough

A newer, extended version of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s eviction moratorium meant to succeed the original order in June has housing rights advocates warning that it will in fact not protect all New Yorkers, according to Law 360.

The revised order states that eviction proceedings cannot be initiated against “someone that is eligible for unemployment insurance or benefits under state or federal law,” leading to fears that workers making money “off the books” – who would be unable to prove unemployment status – may lose their homes.

“People who get unemployment insurance, they’ll be able to show that,” said Judith Goldiner, attorney-in-charge of the Civil Law Reform Unit at the Legal Aid Society. “But not if, let’s say, you’re in the gray economy, you’re working off the books, you’re a babysitter.”