2 June Tenants and landlords can apply for the New York State Rental Assistance Program June 2, 2021 By Danyelle Barrett General 0 Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus has announced that tenants behind in paying rent and/or utility bills due to a COVID-19 hardship may be eligible for the New York State Rental Assistance Program, which is funded by the federal government and administered in partnership with the County’s Departments of Social Services and Community Development. Approximately $24 million is available to help those who are up to 12 months behind in back rent, as well as to pay up to three months of future rent, depending on eligibility. Tenants and landlords who are owed rent by individuals may apply for the program. Payments will be issued directly to landlords and utility companies. Tenants may apply to receive rental and utility bill assistance if, since March 13, 2020 and due to COVID-19, they are behind in payments; have a member of the household who has received unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in income; and meet income and other requirements. To be eligible, adjusted gross income for 2020 cannot exceed $54,950 for an individual, $62,800 for two-person households, $70,650 for three, $78,500 for four, $84,800 for five, $91,100 for six, $97,350 for seven and $103,650 for eight. Renters who meet eligibility criteria and landlords who have eligible tenants in arrears are encouraged to apply soon, as funds will be distributed on a rolling basis. The application process opened on Tuesday, June 1st. Information is available at www.orangecountygov.com/2057/Emergency-Rental-Assistance or Orange County residents may call 311. The County’s 311 hotline can also help locate immediate housing for those living in unlivable or temporary conditions, and individuals fleeing domestic violence. The hotline also provides collaborative and professional telephone support and outreach 24-hours a day to anyone in Orange County in need of emotional support, crisis intervention, or connection to food resources. Attached is a flyer that can be printed in both English and Spanish which summarizes the program. Attached Files OrangeCountyRentalAssistanceFlyer_EngSpan.pdf 1.07 MB Related Articles New Windsor designated a yellow COVID-19 hot zone by New York State The State of New York has designated New Windsor as a COVID-19 hot zone (yellow) as of today, November 19. In Orange County, New Windsor has been the number two municipality for positive cases in the last number of days. Two other designated yellow hot zones in Orange County at the moment are the Cities of Newburgh and Middletown. Supervisor Meyers is asking our residents to please adhere to the guidelines issued by the Department of Health. These include, but not limited to, wearing masks, frequent hand washing and social distancing. Supervisor Meyers is very concerned about the impact on the Town if we are moved to an orange hot zone. Listed below are the three zones and the information about each. FEMA’s Disaster Survivor Assistance Team will be visiting New Windsor on 12/10-12/12 FEMA recently added Orange County to its Individual Assistance List for Tropical Storm Ida. Please be advised that FEMA’s Disaster Survivor Assistance Team will be visiting the following New Windsor neighborhoods, identified by FEMA and Orange County Division of Emergency Management, on December 10, 11 & 12, 2021, asking residents affected by Tropical Storm Ida about registering for FEMA Individual and Household Assistance: Judd Circle St. Anne Drive Cresthaven Drive Chimney Corner Road Hearthstone Way Horseshoe Bend Lannis Avenue Mark Street Split Tree Drive Spring Rock road Stone Ledge Lane Valewood Drive Willow Lane Willow Parkway Caesar's Lane Butterhill Drive Buttermilk Drive Butternut Drive Cheddar Lane Creamery Drive Custard Court Dairy Lane Guernsey Drive Jersey Court In addition, we’ve been advised that FEMA will be utilizing the Town’s Community Center, on December 15th & 16th, as its Mobile Disaster Recovery Center (MDRC). The MDRC provides a wider variety of services, including Individual Assistance, Hazard Mitigation and Small Business Administration (SBA.) They can also check the status of any registrations and help to upload documents. They provide the same services as fixed DRC. More information on FEMA field disaster assistance can be found using the following link: https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/fema-field-disaster-survivor-assistance-and-disaster-recovery-centers Supervisor Meyers contacting state and county officials regarding COVID-19 vaccine location in New Windsor Supervisor Meyers is contacting New York State and Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus in regards to setting up a COVID-19 vaccination location at the Town Hall Complex. New Windsor Emergency Services has two Registered Nurses on staff who would administer the vaccine to eligible residents. All New York State guidelines would be followed. Supervisor Meyers would like to make it easier for eligible New Windsor residents to receive the vaccine. The town will announce any plans as soon as it has more information from the state and county. Orange County Survey for Landlords Affected by Pandemic Attached is a letter from the Orange County Department of Social Services to be shared with landlords in the community who have been affected by the pandemic. If you provide your email address in the survey, you will be added to their email contact list regarding potential financial assistance for yourself and your tenants. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LandLordSurvey2021 COVID-19 Funeral Assistance The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many families. FEMA's mission is to help people before, during and after disasters. They are dedicated to helping ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the virus. Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line Number Applications begin on April 12, 2021 844-684-6333 | TTY: 800-462-7585 Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time For more information, click HERE to view their website. Declaration of a Local State of Emergency executed by the Supervisor Click HERE to find the Executive Order- Declaration of a Local State of Emergency executed by the Supervisor on March 18th, 2020. Comments are closed.