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