“While we all self-distance during this crisis, this is sadly just the beginning. Millions of New Yorkers have been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak and policies must be implemented to slow its spread. Low income families are hit the hardest as they struggle to find childcare during school closures, make due with lost wages and tips, take on additional food and medical costs and still make ends meet,” said candidate for City Council Marti Gould Cummings. “We must come together and ensure that people can safely stay in their homes and preserve their dignity for themselves and their families. Governor Cuomo has already made several hard decisions to help us and our neighbors during this time, but he must go further.”

To date, New York has over 1,300 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and more than a dozen have died.

PROPOSALS

Prohibition of evictions, utility cutoff, and late fees for all New Yorkers whether they rent or own.
Subsidizing New Yorkers who are unable to pay their rent or mortgage or lost their source of income due to the crisis.
Requiring landlords, utilities, and lenders to work out payment plans for those who are unable to make their payment during the crisis. Plans should extend for 24 months after the end of the state of emergency.
Providing the option for tenants to extend all leases set to expire for at least 3 months beyond the end of the state of emergency.
Halting all late fees for small businesses leases for the duration of the crisis.
Allowing small businesses to defer payment of property tax and sales tax for twelve months after they are permitted to re-open.
Freezing rents for at least two years after the end of the state of emergency.