New Tenant Resource Portal Helps Renters Avoid Eviction

The Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants (MOPT), the Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit (PEU), and the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (DoITT) jointly launched the NYC Tenant Resource Portal. It’s the city’s online resource to help renters access free resources to help prevent evictions and keep tenants stably housed. The portal features an eviction prevention tool to help renters navigate free resources that can stabilize their housing situations.

Tenants will respond to a series of questions about their unique circumstances and be directed to the most relevant resources, such as help navigating an illegal lockout or eviction. The portal also has up-to-date information on the general status of evictions in New York City Housing Court. Tenants who don’t have access to the Internet can call 311 and ask for the “Tenant Helpline.”

The types of information the portal can provide to tenants behind on rent are facts on the eviction moratorium, finding information on court cases, free legal assistance, and public subsidies such as the “One Shot Deal” emergency assistance program.

How Tenants Apply for ‘One-Shot Deal’ to Help Pay Rent Arrears

Paying rent may not be feasible for some of your tenants who recently lost work. For these tenants, the city’s Human Resources Administration can offer some help through the “One Shot Deal.” This emergency assistance program can provide qualifying New Yorkers with a one-time payment they can put toward rent.

A “One-Shot Deal” is emergency financial assistance that can help a tenant who’s facing eviction to pay rent. Most one-shot deals are loans that a tenant must pay back with a payment plan. If a tenant receives SSI or has children under 18 in the household, the tenant generally won’t have to pay HRA back.

Who’s eligible? Generally, to be eligible, a tenant must: (1) provide a reason why the tenant couldn’t pay your past rent; and (2) show how the tenant will pay the rent in the future. If a tenant receives cash assistance from the Human Resources Administration, the tenant doesn’t have to pay back the One Shot Deal. If, however, the tenant isn’t already receiving cash assistance, the tenant will be required to repay the One-Shot-Deal provided to the tenant under a repayment plan.

How to apply? The tenant will apply for an Emergency Assistance / One Shot Deal Rent Arrears (EA/OSD) public subsidy online at http://nyc.gov/accesshra or HRA’s smartphone app ACCESS HRA. Once the tenant has submitted an application, the tenant will be contacted by an HRA representative for a phone interview. Due to COVID-19, the turnaround for approval may be longer than expected.

Tenants can call HRA’s Infoline at (718) 557-1399 if there are any questions or tech issues with ACCESS HRA. Tech issues should be reported online using the “Contact Us” link at the bottom of any ACCESS HRA web page and selecting “I’m having an issue using ACCESS HRA.” Staff are available through the automated phone system Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.