NYC public housing residents could have up to 18 months of back rent covered by $185M in new funds

New York City public housing residents could get up to 18 months of past due rent accrued during the COVID-19 pandemic covered thanks to newly awarded state and federal funds, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) announced on Thursday.

The $185 million in funding, including $35 million from the state and $150 million from the federal government, will be distributed to NYCHA to cover qualified public housing residents’ past-due rent — also known as rent arrears. The dollars come from the state COVID-19 Rental Assistance (CRA) program and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development HOME American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) program, according to NYCHA.