Ellen Davidson, a staff attorney with the Civil Law Reform Unit at The Legal Aid Society, is quoted in The New York Times’ latest “Ask Real Estate” explainer piece remarking on Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERPA), New York state’s rental assistance program.

The fund began accepting applications in June, and incorporates $2.4 billion in federal and state funds to provide assistance to qualifying tenants and landlords who fallen behind in their rent due to COVID-related hardships.

“This program is going to be extremely important to save tenants’ homes and to pay landlords and to get people through this terrible crisis,” said Davidson. More than 81,000 applications had been submitted as of June 13, according to the state.

If either you or your tenant need assistance, call 311 and ask to be connected with a community-based organization that can help. A state help line is also available at 844-NY1RENT (844-691-7368). The hearing-impaired TTY phone number is 1-833-843-8829.