The federal eviction moratorium is now expected to last through the beginning of the summer.

What You Need To Know

  • The federal eviction moratorium has been extended to June 30
  • PUSH Buffalo's housing justice organizer says the extension is greatly needed 
  • The executive director of the Coalition of WNY Property Owners says financial assistance is vital for property owners right now 

"This is currently saving lives and that's what we need it for,” Teresa Watson, the housing justice organizer at PUSH Buffalo, said.

The federal eviction moratorium was set to expire this week but now it's been extended to the end of June.

"In a pandemic, evictions are violence and that's something that is very clear when you think about how this pandemic spreads," Watson said.

The moratorium aims to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect tenants who are struggling financially during the pandemic. The emergency rental assistance program under the CARES Act has made available billions of dollars to assist households that are unable to pay rent and utilities due to the pandemic.

"I really think the moratorium is so important, and we're so grateful that the CARES money exists and we really need to keep extending the moratorium until there is a clear and quicker system for people to get that money," Watson said.

"It seems that in other places, other states and other places, it doesn't seem to be going on quite this long. The monies, rent relief monies which would help to alleviate the problems are being dispersed but that's not happening here," said Lisa Damiani, the executive director of the Coalition of WNY Property Owners.

Last week, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced more than $1 billion in emergency rental assistance is being allocated to New York as part of the American Rescue Plan. Erie County is slated to receive $15.5 million. Damiani says relief like this can make an impact especially for property owners trying to make ends meet now that the federal moratorium has been extended once again.

"The difference with this particular government benefit, if you will, is that it's being extended and the costs are being borne by private property owners and individual property owners, and that's the difference and that's the difficulty that the people I work with are having with it," Damiani said.

There is also a statewide moratorium through the end of the month. Watson says you can reach out to her for any eviction issues. Her number is 716-427-8356.