Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Women-Led Households Make Up Majority Of Applicants To NY's Rental Aid Program
By
Sophia Chang
Published Aug 20, 2021
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
JUSTIN LANE/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
By
Sophia Chang
Published Aug 20, 2021
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Nearly two-thirds of the New York City applications for a state emergency rental aid program have been filed by women, mirroring trends across the state, according to data released by the state agency overseeing the program.
The state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s demographic data for applicants to the $2.7 billion Emergency Rental Assistance Program was released Wednesday, a day before hearings commenced Thursday in the state Senate on the program’s rocky rollout.
The program launched June 1st to offer funding for households with income at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI)—$95,450 for a family of four in New York City—with up to 12 months of rental and utility arrears payments for a maximum of $15,000.
But the website to submit applications repeatedly crashed and applicants had trouble setting up their online accounts or resetting passwords. The application design itself was also frustrating, some critics said - the lengthy forms had to be completed in one session without any ability to save for future completion.
New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program Applicant Characteristics
NY State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
On Thursday, the Senate Committee on Housing, Construction & Community Development and the Senate Committee on Social Services held a public hearing on the ERAP’s implementation.
With the Supreme Court last week blocking part of the state’s eviction moratorium, the emergency rent aid program has become one of the main lifelines for struggling New Yorkers to hang onto their homes. Applicants to the ERAP are automatically protected from eviction for up to a year as their applications are processed.
The OTDA data help illuminate who is economically struggling—statewide, 63.9% of applicants were female compared to 63% in the city. Through July 30th, 114,245 households in New York City had applied for help through the ERAP, out of 168,321 applications statewide.
The Bronx led in applications, with 35,490 households in the borough applying for aid. Brooklyn had 34,517 households apply, Manhattan, 18,619; Queens, 22,661; and Staten Island, 2,958 households.
The state said 37.6% of all applicants from New York City were Hispanic or Latino, 46.3% of all applicants were Black, 23.8% were white and 7.3% all of applicants were Asian.
New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program Applicant Characteristics
NY State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
On Monday, the state comptroller issued a report saying the ERAP had failed to disburse funds at all in June and only a fraction of applicants had received money by early August.
“As of August 9, two months after the start of the program, 7,072 households had received payments from the program, suggesting that the agency has struggled to process applications,” said the report from Thomas DiNapoli’s office. The state issued $98.6 million in payments as of August 10th.
“This analysis shows that prior to the pandemic, the effects of low incomes and rent burdens fell disproportionately on non-Whites, immigrants and those who lack a college degree, many of whom worked in lower-wage industries. The pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on these same groups. Outreach efforts, technical assistance, and steps to streamline applications should be targeted to reach those most in need,” DiNapoli’s report said.
Tagged
COVID-19
pandemic
rent
coronavirus
housing
real estate
Sophia Chang
Sophia Chang is a former WNYC and Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
After Trump defunding, thousands losing rental assistance in NYC may finally have relief
The Trump administration issued new guidance outlining a plan to replace expiring rental assistance vouchers with a new program.
By
David Brand
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 6:30 a.m. ET
Blind man dismissed from grand jury duty can sue NY for discrimination, judge rules
Albert Elia accused officials of "systemic discrimination" against blind people looking to serve on juries.
By
Samantha Max
News
Blind man dismissed from grand jury duty can sue NY for discrimination, judge rules
Albert Elia accused officials of "systemic discrimination" against blind people looking to serve on juries.
By
Samantha Max
Gatorade recall affects drinks sold in New York and New Jersey
By
Giulia Heyward
Gov. Hochul declares upstate NY measles outbreak a ‘disaster emergency’
By
Caroline Lewis
NYPD detective forced to retire after false statements in Brooklyn investigation
By
Charles Lane
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .