NY requests $1.6 billion in extra COVID-19 rent relief

NY requests $1.6 billion in extra COVID-19 rent relief

A retail location is for rent, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in the SoHo neighborhood of New York. The nation's business economists now expect slower economic growth this year due to the widespread delta variant of the coronavirus, while also saying the economy could improve more quickly next year as vaccinations become more accepted. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Thursday she’s asking for $1.6 billion in federal funding to settle unpaid rent owed by tenants hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. New York has spent $1.3 billion of $2.4 billion in federal rent relief aid, according to the latest data from the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. Hochul said an extra $1.6 billion would cover about 174,000 applications for landlords who have not received rent relief yet. It’s unclear whether New York will receive the entire amount of federal aid requested.

A retail location is for rent, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in the SoHo neighborhood of New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lenniha