Gov. Hochul says it’s one of her priorities after pledging to review the program’s workflow and reassign 100 staff to help landlords resolve incomplete applications. She’s also allocated an additional $1 million for advertising to boost applications.

Jennifer Hernandez, of Make the Road New York, says, “People are desperate to get some aid to get some help to cover their rent.”

Hernandez helps undocumented immigrants fill out applications through Make the Road New York.

Anyone with up to 12 months of past due rent, regardless of immigration status, can apply.

“It’s more that people are overwhelmed and not secure enough in their technical abilities to be able to get through the application,” says Hernandez.

Some $2.7 billion in emergency rental assistance funding is available to low- and moderate-income New Yorkers, but the state has only distributed $680 million.