Greenlawn – Huntington Town Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci, Chairman of the Huntington Community Development Agency (CDA), Town CDA officials Councilman Mark Cuthbertson and Councilman Ed Smyth, CDA Director Leah M. Jefferson and Deputy Director Tim Francis, and Housing Help Inc. joined to announce the grand opening of Huntington’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) Center at 95 Broadway in Greenlawn on Friday, August 20.
CDA Chairman, Huntington Town Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci stated, “With the expiration of the federal and state moratoriums on evictions looming, the $5.9 million awarded to the Town of Huntington through the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program established in 2020 will provide significant economic relief to help low and moderate-income Huntington households, particularly those at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability, including tenants and landlords.”
CDA board member Councilman Mark Cuthbertson stated, “The Covid-19 pandemic has affected us in many ways; residents in our community have been struggling to pay their rent. But we are fortunate to have great people at Housing Help, dedicated to serving the residents of our Town who still need help getting back on their feet. It is incumbent upon us now- whether it is through social media or by simply telling a friend- to get the word out about Housing Help’s Emergency Rental Assistance.”
CDA board member Councilman Ed Smyth said, “In the past year, we have become acutely aware of housing insecurity in our town, with the economic crisis causing financial stress for renters and landlords. Emergency rental assistance is available for both tenants and landlords, which includes ‘Mom and Pop’ landlords, who oftentimes are the first to feel the impact of a missed payment, as this creates a hardship for those residents who rely on rental income from an accessory apartment in their home to help pay for their own mortgage.”
“The coronavirus pandemic caused devastating financial hardship for many individuals and families here in Huntington,” said Leah M. Jefferson, Director of the Huntington Community Development Agency and Economic Development Corporation. “With the Emergency Rental Assistance Program funding provided through the US Department of the Treasury, The Town of Huntington, in conjunction with the Community Development Agency, is hoping to prevent our residents from being evicted or losing their home because they could not afford to pay their rent. We are grateful to Housing Help, Inc. for their dedication to the community, and being there to guide residents through the application process.”
Joining Town CDA officials were Housing Help Executive Director Pilar Moya-Mancera, Housing Help Board President Ulysses Spicer, Housing Help Board members Guillermo "Willie" Perez and Libardo Ramos; Director of St. Hugh of Lincoln Outreach James Calero; ERAP Supervisor Valerie Melgar and ERAP Specialists Veronique Daniel, Zak Zethner, and Casey Perez.
“We at Housing Help are very excited to have a main hub for our ERAP outreach. Thanks to the Town of Huntington Community Development Agency, anyone interested in applying for rental assistance, whether they are landlords or tenants, can stop by our new office anytime. Our hours are 9am-5pm from Monday-Thursday, or 9-4 on Fridays. Walk in appointments are always welcomed as well. This accessibility will allow us to reach far greater numbers of landlords and tenants who have been hurt financially by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is very important that landlords in particular are aware of this accessibility, since they are the ones receiving the aid from this program. If you have a tenant with overdue rent, come by our new ERAP center and get the help that both you and they need,” said Pilar Moya-Mancera, Executive Director, Housing Help Inc.
“St Hugh of Lincoln Outreach is committed to working with Housing Help Inc. At the moment we are providing a satellite office in Huntington Station for ERAP appointments. This is to provide a closer location for some clients that lack transportation and to provide them an opportunity to access help with the ERAP program and application process. We also work with Housing Help Inc. in their outreach efforts to inform the people of Huntington Station and our congregation about ERAP so the residents of Huntington can get the help they need. We hope to continue to help the local community alongside Housing Help Inc. in any way we can through the ERAP program,” said James Calero, Outreach Director, St. Hugh of Lincoln.
The Town of Huntington was awarded $5.9 million from the U.S. Department of the Treasury under the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), managed by the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA). The Huntington Community Development Agency has been charged with oversight of Huntington’s ERAP program, including the submission of the application for the contract with OTDA, and managing and creating the budget for the required outreach program. The Town of Huntington has partnered with Housing Help, Inc. to handle program outreach.
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds may provide significant economic relief to help low and moderate-income households at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability by providing rental arrears, temporary rental assistance and utility arrears assistance.
Financial assistance from the Emergency Rental Assistance Program may pay up to 12 months of past due rent and for some households, up to 3 months of future rent. The program may also pay for up to 12 months of overdue electric or gas utility bills. All payments are made directly to the landlord or utility provider.
The Huntington Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) Center has trained specialists available to answer questions about the program and to assist anyone who needs help filling out the application. Specialists may assist clients in English, Spanish, and Creole. All are welcome at the ERAP Center, no matter immigration status, lack of lease, or lack of pay stubs. Services are provided for both tenants and landlords.
Tenants and landlords may make an appointment at the Huntington ERAP Center using any of the following phone numbers: (631) 258-7088, (631) 494-0089, or (631) 754-0373. Walk-ins are also welcome at 95 Broadway Greenlawn, NY 11740, open Monday through Thursday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. A satellite location at St. Hugh of Lincoln Outreach, 21 East Ninth Street, Huntington Station, is available by appointment only during Outreach office hours Monday-Friday 10:00 am to 2:00 pm but callers must set up an appointment by calling the Greenlawn ERAP site.
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