Assembly and Senate Republican Minority leaders Will Barkley and Rob Orth have called on Governor Cuomo to make use of the $ 1.3 billion so far unused federal aid as soon as possible.
The money was allocated back in December especially for people who are unable to pay their rent. Not only tenants will benefit from subsidies, but also homeowners who have accumulated a lot of debt during the pandemic.
If this money is not used by September 30, Washington will take it back and give it to other states that may be able to be more agile than New York.
Last spring, the state received $ 100 million in federal aid under the CARES Act. Of this amount, only $ 47 million has been spent so far. The federal authorities have already extended the terms once, but the distribution of funds is still being delayed.
Will Barkley warns that this story could repeat itself with money addressed to tenants who could help themselves and the landlords. He accused the state government of “managerial incompetence.”
Newspaper headline:
Don’t keep your money hidden