We did it! Effective 5pm, Monday March 16: "All eviction proceedings and pending eviction orders shall be suspended statewide until further notice." Thanks to EVERYONE who worked so hard to make this happen--we are POWERFUL!

March 12, 2020 

Dear Mayor de Blasio: 

We are deeply concerned about the impact that COVID-19 will have on New Yorkers who are at risk of eviction.  We recently released a petition to Governor Cuomo and other state leaders calling for a moratorium on evictions and a rent freeze across NY State.  While it’s imperative that action is taken immediately at the state level, there is much that New York City can and must do to protect New Yorkers. New York City doesn't have to wait for the state.  We can and must ACT NOW! 

New York City Should: 

1. Impose a moratorium on evictions and the City's Department of Investigation should immediately direct all City Marshals to cease executing warrants of eviction until further notice. 
2. Support the call to the state for a Moratorium on Evictions and a statewide Rent Freeze
3. Immediately suspend further action on all pending NYCHA eviction, termination of tenancy and termination of Section 8 subsidy proceedings. 
4. Institute a NYCHA Moratorium on commencing any new eviction, termination of tenancy or termination of Section 8 subsidy proceedings. 
5. Direct the Department of City Administrative Services to close all housing court facilities and NYCHA administrative hearing offices to stop the spread of COVID-19. 

As our letter to the Governor states: 

New York is facing a public health crisis that is made worse by a lack of adequate housing.  COVID-19 impacts vulnerable New Yorkers the most: the elderly and those who are immunocompromised. For the 92,000 people who are homeless, this public health crisis puts them at a greater-than-average risk of exposure to the virus.

Many, many more cannot afford rent. New Yorkers are facing a loss of income -- either voluntarily or as the result of being forced to stay home from work for the protection of everyone’s health. This makes it harder to pay already unaffordable rents. Without adequate housing, the most vulnerable New Yorkers are unable to fight COVID-19 and other deadly illnesses.

If more New Yorkers are evicted in the coming days and weeks, COVID-19 could start to spread more rapidly among those who become homeless. We cannot let that nightmare become a reality. San Francisco and San Jose are currently considering a moratorium on COVID-19 related evictions. We urge you to expand on their example and lead the nation by issuing a moratorium on evictions in the face of COVID-19 - a massive public health crisis that is hitting New York harder than most other cities in the country.

Housing Court is already unsafe for the elderly and the immunocompromised. The housing crisis is so bad that every day that court is in session, courtrooms and hallways are packed with defendants, lawyers, and supporters who are fighting eviction. To drag the most vulnerable New Yorkers into Housing Court, against the advice of public health professionals, adds the cruel insult of a severe health-risk to the injury of eviction. 

Given the recommendations to cancel all large gatherings, we must remember that housing court is a large gathering.  There are over a thousand people in the Bronx housing court alone, every day.  

We are deeply disheartened by the callousness, ignorance and lack of action from the federal government.  We need you to show leadership for the health and well-being of New Yorkers, and as an example for the nation.  Our proposals are well within your power and would save the lives and homes of the city’s most vulnerable. Miami issued a moratorium on evictions for the entire Miami-Dade County.  And there is precedent for this in NYC: after 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy, NYC issued a moratorium on evictions. NYC must act to meet the challenges of this current crisis. 

Stand with us in this crisis, in order to stop preventable illness, homelessness and displacement in this time of crisis, and freeze all evictions in New York NOW.

Sincerely, 

As we all know, New York State is in the middle of a public health crisis. Each passing day, more and more people are at risk of contracting COVID-19. This crisis disproportionately affects New Yorkers who face homelessness or day-to-day housing insecurity.  This population is at a higher risk of being exposed to the virus, becoming ill, and suffering catastrophic health outcomes. New Yorkers are facing loss of income as we are either forced or voluntarily decide to stay home from work to protect our health. As the public is urged to avoid public spaces, small businesses are facing a similar loss of income -- a problem made worse by xenophobia against immigrant-owned businesses in particular.

If more New Yorkers are evicted in the coming days and weeks, COVID-19 could start to spread more rapidly. Our city and state cannot let that nightmare become a reality. San Francisco and San Jose are currently considering a moratorium on COVID-19 related evictions. We urge you to join us in the call to expand on their example and demand that New York lead the nation by issuing a moratorium on all evictions in the face of COVID-19 - a massive public health crisis that is hitting New York harder than most other states in the country.  To drag the most vulnerable New Yorkers into Housing Court, against the advice of public health professionals, adds the cruel insult of a severe health-risk to the injury of eviction.

Thank you for making our voice at City Council's public hearing yesterday so powerful! 

After more than 7 hours of testimony, close to 80 people testified in support of our bills to expand the Right to Counsel! We made sure our voices were heard in various forms—our #ExpandRTC hashtag even trended on Twitter!

Our moment is finally here! On Monday, February 24, City Council will be holding a hearing on our bills to expand the Right to Counsel! RSVP here now! 

Since November, nearly 300 tenants have come out to town halls across NYC to learn more about and take action for the campaign to expand Right to Counsel! 

On January 15, nearly 150 tenants with Community Action for Safe Apartments (CASA) and the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition(NWBCCC) held a rally and town hall in the Bronx as part of their campaign to expand the Right to Counsel (RTC) through two new bills, Intro 1104 and Intro 1529. 

On December 9, tenants gathered in Manhattan to learn about and prepare to take action for our campaign to expand the Right to Counsel (RTC). Many of the tenants there organize with Goddard Riverside. 

We are looking for an Event Planning Intern to join us in the Spring of 2020! Please see below and here for more info, spread the word and help us find someone great!  Thank you!  

TO APPLY: Email Susanna Blankley, Coalition Coordinator; susanna@righttocounselnyc.org with a resume and statement of interest. 

We are excited to announce that 5 new zip codes are now covered under the Right to Counsel (RTC) law! This brings the total number of zip codes where RTC is in effect to 25. They are the following:  

Bronx: 10457, 10462, 10467, 10468, 10453*

Brooklyn: 11216, 11221, 11225, 11226, 11207*

Manhattan: 10025, 10026, 10027, 10029*, 10031, 10034*

Queens: 11373, 11385, 11433, 11434, 11691*

Staten Island: 10302, 10303, 10310, 10314