Low-Income Residents Could Qualify for Aid

POUGHKEEPSIE – City of Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison announced that financial assistance with rent payments is available for low-income residents whose situation has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The New York State Department of Homes and Community Renewal is making $100 million available for people in this situation. Renters can go to the State’s Rental Relief Program website for more details and to see if they are eligible.

“There is a relatively short window for people to act, so we encourage them to do so immediately,” said City of Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison. “This pandemic has caused widespread concerns and challenges, andfor many, making rent payments is one of them. The city has worked closely with other levels of government and nonprofits to assist people during the crisis. This state program is another good effort to help people who may have lost their job or, for one reason or another, are struggling to make their rent payments.”

As of July 16, the state is accepting applicants for a two-week period through the New York State COVID Rent Relief website, https://hcr.ny.gov/RRP

To qualify, renters must list New York as their primary residence and must demonstrate they have lost income due to COVID-19 crisis from April 1, 2020 to July 31, 2020.

The one-time subsidy could provide up to four months of assistance during this period, and payments are paid directly to the applicant’s landlord. Homeowners are not eligible for this program.

The City of Poughkeepsie and Dutchess County are also partnering with two local agencies — Hudson River Housing and Catholic Charities Community Services of Dutchess County — to provide additional support during the application process to those in extremely low-income households; with limited English proficiency; in need of technology assistance and access; and to those most at risk of homelessness.
Assistance may be requested by calling one of the numbers below:

• Hudson River Housing, 845-337-4407, ext. 105

• Catholic Charities, 845-451-4251

The City of Poughkeepsie’s Community Development Block Grant CARES ACT (CDBG-CV) funds, secured via the federal CARES Stimulus Act, are being used to support this partnership.