issued the following announcement on Sept. 15.
County Executive Ed Day and Department of Social Services (DSS) Commissioner Joan Silvestri announced that the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) have expanded the eligibility of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
Beginning today, Wednesday, September 15, 2021, New York State is accepting applications for rental assistance from households adversely impacted by the pandemic and earning between 80 percent and 120 percent of the area median income (AMI), a group that was previously ineligible to receive help from the state's Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program assists households behind on their rent that have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19 and are at risk of homelessness or housing instability.
“Rockland tenants have been approved for nearly $3,000,000 in rental assistance so far through this program. I urge all residents that are eligible to apply as soon as possible as funds are limited,” said County Executive Ed Day.
Applications from households with income up to 100 percent AMI will be prioritized for processing through October 29, 2021. After that, all applications for households with income up to 120% AMI will be processed on a first come, first-served basis.
Area median income varies by county and by household size. The income limits for Rockland County are below:
| Area Median Income | 1 Person | 2 People | 3 People | 4 People | 5 People | 6 People | 7 People | 8 People |
| 80% AMI | $66,850 | $76,400 | $85,950 | $95,450 | $103,100 | $110,750 | $118,400 | $126,000 |
| 100% AMI | $83,600 | $95,500 | $107,400 | $119,300 | $128,900 | $138,400 | $148,000 | $157,500 |
| 120% AMI | $100,320 | $114,600 | $128,800 | $143,160 | $154,680 | $166,080 | $177,600 | $189,000 |
- On or after March 13, 2020, a member of the household received unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in income, incurred significant costs or experienced financial hardship, directly or indirectly, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The applicant is obligated to pay rent at their primary residence and has rental arrears (rent overdue) at their current residence for rent owed on or after March 13, 2020.
- The household must be at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability, which can be demonstrated by having rental arrears owed on or after March 13, 2020.
County Executive Ed Day said, “Newly eligible residents should apply as soon as possible because this opportunity and funding will not last long. Our Department of Social Services is ready to help any tenant or landlord with the application process. Please call 845-364-3316 or e-mail ERAProgram@dfa.state.ny.us for help.”
Department of Social Services staff are available to help during the below dates and times and at the following locations. Those interested in applying should review the attached Renters Checklists for the documents needed to apply. [ DOWNLOAD: Checklist - English, Checklist - Spanish, Checklist - Haitian-Creole ]
Monday, 9/13/21 and 9/20/21Tuesday, 9/14/21 and 9/21/21Wednesday, 9/15/21 and 9/22/21Thursday, 9/16/21 and 9/23/21Friday, 9/17/21 and 9/24/21
| Centro De Amigos
91 Broadway Haverstraw, NY 10927 1:00pm – 5:00pm
AND Rockland County DSS 50 Sanatorium Road Building L Pomona, NY 10970 8:00am – 4:00pm | Centro De Amigos
91 Broadway Haverstraw, NY 10927 1:00pm – 5:00pm
AND Rockland County DSS 50 Sanatorium Road Building L Pomona, NY 10970 8:00am – 4:00pm | Louis Kurtz Civic Center
9 N. Main Street Spring Valley, NY 10977 11:00am – 6:00pm
AND Rockland County DSS 50 Sanatorium Road Building L Pomona, NY 10970 8:00am – 4:00pm | Konbit Neg Lakay
16 E. Church Street Spring Valley, NY 10977 9:00am – 4:00pm
AND Rockland County DSS 50 Sanatorium Road Building L Pomona, NY 10970 8:00am – 4:00pm | Konbit Neg Lakay
16 E. Church Street Spring Valley, NY 10977 9:00am – 4:00pm
AND Rockland County DSS 50 Sanatorium Road Building L Pomona, NY 10970 8:00am – 4:00pm |
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