In May 2021, Governor Cuomo signed a bill continuing the eviction moratorium to August 31, 2021.  Any tenant who has not served their landlord with a New York State Hardship Declaration form or filed the form in Housing Court can do so at any time before August 31, 2021 to secure coverage under the Act.

On August 3, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) issued an eviction moratorium that remains in effect for two months, until October 3, 2021.

The CDC issued the order temporarily halting evictions in counties with heightened levels of community transmission to respond to recent unexpected developments in the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the rise of the Delta variant. All five counties of New York City are covered by the CDC order.  

Any tenant may serve their landlord a completed CDC Hardship Declaration form and file it with Housing Court to secure coverage under the CDC Order.

The CDC moratorium extension will allow time for the $2.4 billion COVID-19 EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM [ERAP] OF 2021, enacted in the state budget, to accept applications and disburse emergency rental assistance and/or utility assistance. The ERAP program is accessible on the Office of Temporary and Disability [OTADA] website.

Please call the MELS Screening Unit at 212- 815-1111 for help with filling out and filing a hardship declaration. MELS will provide advice regarding how the moratoriums works. MELS also assists with securing financial assistance to pay rent arrears or utility arrears that accrued during the pandemic. Lastly, MELS provides legal representation in Housing Court eviction proceedings. If you have received any notices or court papers from Housing Court, your landlord or your landlord’s attorneys, please contact MELS at 212- 815- 1111, or email: MELSscreeningunit@dc37.net.