(WSNA) January 16, 2021

As the pandemic rages on and the temperatures keep dropping, evictions are continuing – as violent as ever. We have been fighting for a true eviction moratorium since March. This week, we won. At the final hour, the legislature passed The Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2020 (A11181/S09114).

Let’s be real for a second: this bill is not everything wanted. But it will keep many tenants housed through May 1st and it will save lives. It also demonstrates the power of the tenant movement — while Cuomo refused to act, we were making calls, out in the streets, sending emails, and talking to our neighbors. We made it so the governor and the legislature could not ignore us. This eviction moratorium is because of the work we as a housing movement have done together. 

Now, a little on what the bill actually does. First, the bill pauses all eviction proceedings for the next 60 days. This means no evictions until the end of February.

After that, tenants will need to sign hardship declarations which attest either to financial hardship due to COVID19 or increased risk of contracting COVID19. Signing this declaration will protect the tenant from eviction through May 1st, 2021. 

We still need to keep fighting — we want an eviction moratorium that would cover through the end of this pandemic and a whole year after that. This is going to be a long recovery and we need to make sure everyone is safely housed through it. 

In 2021, we are going to keep fighting to extend the moratorium and to #CancelRent. We’re demanding a people’s recovery for ourselves, our friends, our families, and our neighbors, one where we don’t have to worry about losing our homes or being burdened by back rent. 

This year, we’ve learned how much we can win if we keep fighting. Next year, we want more. We want what is just and fair and right. And we are so excited to keep fighting together for it.

We’re wishing you a happy and healthy new year — let’s celebrate our wins. And then keep winning.