Legislative Update – July/August
By Conor Gillis
NYSAR submits comments to DHR on new reasonable accommodation requirements.
On June 12, NYSAR issued a comment to the state Division of Human Rights regarding the proposed state regulation requiring landlords, managing agents and real estate licensees to provide a Reasonable Modification and Accommodation Notice to all prospective and current tenants of a “housing accommodation.” NYSAR raised practical concerns regarding how this notice would be provided in print-form advertisements, such as billboards, classified ads, periodicals, etc., and the delivery requirement of such notice. You can read NYSAR’s full comment here.
Reminder: Applications for NYS Emergency Rental Assistance now being accepted
The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) has started accepting rent relief applications for the state’s $2.7 billion Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). The state will prioritize low-income New Yorkers during the first 30 days, and applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis after that for as long as funds remain available. Documentation required for the application from both tenants and landlords can be found here. To qualify, tenants must have a household gross income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) – other eligibility requirements can be found here.
State Lawmakers conclude this year’s legislative session.
The State Legislature concluded this year’s legislative session in the early hours of Friday morning after a marathon of bill passages. Lawmakers have not ruled out returning to Albany to take up new business later in the year, however. For a full wrap-up of the legislative session click here.
President Biden looks to address racial inequities in home appraisals.
President Joe Biden will create a task force led by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to study racial inequities in-home appraisals and recommend possible solutions. One major concern is that a push from Washington to boost appraisal values for certain homes could lead to appraisers assessing homes at higher values than they are worth. The group is slated to begin work next month and report its recommendations within 180 days. Read more here.
Judge rules state cannot require providers to offer $15/month broadband service.
A federal judge ruled last week that the state cannot require internet providers to offer broadband internet service for low-income customers for $15-a-month. The low-income broadband consumers law passed in the state budget in April and was supposed to go into effect this week. Read more here.
