NYC Housing Connect
We have launched a new version of NYC Housing Connect. Learn more about the new website and continue to find and apply for affordable housing units at nyc.gov/housingconnect.

To help us do everything we can to move New Yorkers into affordable housing as quickly as possible, we have made several changes to the lottery process. Please see the Housing Connect Application Guides webpage for more information and answers to frequently asked questions.

Application Resources
Housing Ambassadors are community-based service providers who help people prepare and apply for NYC Housing Connect affordable housing lotteries. Please email or call the organization in your community to learn more about what services they're offering at this time. Office locations may be changing their hours or offering services over the phone.

Free financial counseling through "Ready to Rent will continue by phone. Our financial counselors will help you check your credit, calculate your income for housing applications, and save for moving expenses.

New York City renters, you have rights!
Free legal advice and counsel is available for New York City residential renters. To access these services, please call 311 and ask for the "Tenant Helpline" and get all the help you need navigating the COVID-19 crisis.

Evictions
If you are at risk of eviction, or if you want up-to-date information about the eviction moratorium and Housing Court, please visit the Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants website.

Report a Complaint
New Yorkers should continue to report housing code violations to 311. HPD's Housing Inspectors are conducting inspections in response to complaints, prioritizing hazardous complaints including lack of hot water, lack of essential services, mold, lead-based paint and window guards, and reinspections in response to property owner requests.

Rent and Utility Arrears
If your work schedule was reduced as a result of the coronavirus and you are unable to pay your rent, you can apply for a Cash Assistance special grant request to get benefits for emergencies. If you have an active Cash Assistance case, visit ACCESS HRA.

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program that helps low-income homeowners and tenants pay for utility and heating bills. Visit HRA's HEAP webpage for more information.

Tenant Protection
For additional information and resources, visit the Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants' Information and Resources for NYC Tenants Impacted by COVID-19 webpage.

During the COVID-19 crisis, the City of New York wants to make sure you have access to free services and support from the safety of your home. Help is available. For a complete list of services, visit nyc.gov/agingcovid

Food Assistance:
Sign up for free pick-up meals and emergency home food delivery at nyc.gov/getfood or call 311 to learn more.

Health and Wellbeing:
Get help with feelings of stress, sadness, anxiety, or fear:

• Coping tips: nyc.gov/nycwell
• Free 24/7 crisis counseling and mental health support: 1-888-NYC-WELL or text "WELL" to 65173
• Guide to mental health services available while staying home: nyc.gov/thrivenyc

Get Help with Medicare: Call Aging Connect at 212-244-6469
Stay connected with free recurring social check-in calls from a volunteer: Call Aging Connect at 212-244-6469

Safety:
If you do not feel safe at home, or if you feel pressured, bullied, or scared by anyone:

• Call the Aging's Resource Center at 1-212-442-3101(9am-5pm)
• Call NYC Hope's Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-621-4673 (24 hours)
• Call 911 in an emergency

Stay Home as Much as Possible:
Only go outside for essential tasks, such as getting groceries and supplies, or securing necessary medical care. If you must go outside, keep at least six feet of distance between yourself and others, and wear a face covering. Wash your hands with soap and water often, for at least 20 seconds every time, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Protect Your Money:

• Economic Impact Payment (Stimulus Payment): Visit nyc.gov/TalkMoney
• Free help filing your taxes: visit nyc.gov/taxprep or call 311
• The income tax filing deadline was postponed to July 15, 2020; however, if you are eligible for a stimulus payment but will not get it automatically, then you must file your taxes to get your stimulus payment.
• Free financial counseling by phone: visit nyc.gov/TalkMoney or call 311
• Avoid Scams: Visit www1.nyc.gov/site/dca/consumers/older-adults.page

Additional Support:

• All eviction proceedings in NYC are suspended indefinitely: Call 311 or visit nyc.gov/doi for more information
• Utilities cannot be shut off for missing payments during the COVID-19 crisis: Call 311 or visit www1.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/energy-assistance.page
• Apply to receive benefits while staying home, including the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) and Cash Assistance (CA): www1.nyc.gov/site/hra/important-information-about-covid-19-and-your-hra-benefits.page
• Low-income NYC residents may be eligible for up to $900 in financial assistance to cover funeral expenses: Visit www1.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/burial-assistance.page

COVID-19 Flyers
We ask all building owners and property managers that work with HPD to prominently display the most up to date COVID-19 flyers in your buildings. The most recent flyer was updated on March 15th and is translated into 22 additional languages. They can be found at nyc.gov/coronavirus.

Building Safety
The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) has provided guidance for general building disinfection.

For your safety and the safety of your tenants, it is critical that you:

• Keep any common area bathrooms stocked with soap and paper towels.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces.
• Take precautions if you need to enter tenant apartments.

Residential Buildings Guidance
DOHMH has compiled a list of faqs for residential buildings.

This guidance is appropriate for buildings with self-contained residence units (not shared kitchens or common living spaces), and buildings with maintenance staff and/or providers supporting the social and health needs of the residents.

This guidance is important to review and implement for buildings with ANY senior populations.

Congregate Buildings Guidance
DOHMH has compiled guidance for congregate buildings.

This guidance is appropriate for buildings with shared spaces residents employ for cooking, shared living space, and social congregating, and buildings with maintenance staff and/or providers supporting the social and health needs of the resident.

This guidance is important to review and implement for buildings with ANY senior populations.

Free Resources for New Yorkers
The City has put together resource flyers for seniors and all New Yorkers. We encourage you to post these flyers in the lobby and/or other public areas. If you are able to provide the flyer directly to tenants under doors or in their mailboxes we would welcome the information getting to them directly.

• Free Help for Seniors (Español)
• Free Resources for All New Yorkers (Español | 简体中文)

HPD Borough Offices
All HPD borough offices are temporarily closed to encourage social distancing and help keep New Yorkers safe from coronavirus (COVID-19). For assistance from borough office staff, please contact the appropriate borough office by phone or email.

Energy Assistance
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program that helps low-income homeowners and tenants pay for utility and heating bills. Visit HRA's HEAP webpage for more information.

HUD Guidance
For general guidance from HUD for housing providers, visit hud.gov/coronavirus.

During the COVID-19 crisis, the City of New York wants to make sure you have access to free services and support from the safety of your home. Help is available:

Food Assistance
If you are worried about your ability to get food, free pick-up meals are available for all, and some New Yorkers may qualify for assisted home delivery. Visit nyc.gov/getfood or call 311 to learn more.

Mental Health
An infection illness outbreak such as COVID-19 can be stressful. It's natural to feel overwhelmed, sad, anxious, or afraid. For help coping, visit the NYC Well website at nyc.gov/nycwell. If your symptoms become overwhelming, you can speak with a counselor 24/7 by calling 1-888-NYC-WELL or texting "WELL" to 65173.

Safety in Your Home
If you do not feel safe at home, or if you feel pressured, bullied, or scared by anyone, there are resources available. NYC has a 24-hour Domestic Violence hotline at 1-800-621-4673 or visit nyc.gov/nychope. Seniors can also call the NYC Department for the Aging's Resource Center at 1-212-422-3101 between 9am and 5pm.

HPD Section 8 Customer Service Office Closure
As of March 16th, we closed HPD Section 8 Customer Service Office at 100 Gold Street until further notice.

During this period, we have a plan to ensure that voucher holders have unbroken access to housing:

• Any Section 8 voucher set to expire will be automatically renewed. Clients do not need to reach out to us for an extension.
• All subsidy terminations in process are suspended until further notice. All tenant conferences & briefings are postponed & will be rescheduled. All hearings for appeal are cancelled until further notice. **HPD will continue to pay subsidy until final determinations are made**
• All non-emergency Section 8 Housing Quality Standard inspections are suspended until further notice.

Contact HPD Section 8
The HPD Section 8 team is still available to the public:

• Voucher holders facing rent hardships due to drops in income should email DTRAI@hpd.nyc.gov or fax at 212-863-5299.
• Building owners should email DTROS@hpd.nyc.gov or fax at 212-863-8526.

Extension of Income Affidavit Filing
As a result of these difficult times, we have adjusted the Income Affidavit timeframes in order to remain committed to supporting the residents and professionals in the Mitchell Lama community. Due to the coronavirus public health emergency, HPD is making the following changes for the 2019 Income Affidavits:

• The deadline for residents to file is now extended to July 31, 2020
• Income Affidavits do not have to be notarized this year
• Managing agents will calculate surcharges based on the 2019 Income Affidavits that will take effect September 1, 2020
• Current surcharges remain in effect until September 1, 2020
• Tenants/shareholders who have experienced either long term or short-term changes in income, may apply at any time for an interim change in income pursuant to Mitchell-Lama Rule 3-03
• Mitchell-Lama managing agents, board of directors, and attorneys should have received this communication on March 30, 2020 in order to inform residents of this extended deadline.

Attention all seniors: Effective March 16, 2020, the SCRIE unit at HPD will be closed to the public until further notice. We are taking steps to protect our staff, clients, customers, partners and the New Yorkers who rely on us, while continuing to perform our work. 

Seniors can email or mail their applications to HPD:

• Questions and documents can be emailed to: scrie@hpd.nyc.gov
• Documents may also be mailed to:
  SCRIE Unit
  100 Gold Street
  Rm 7M-3
  New York, NY 10038

HPD will continue to process reinstatements and new applications accordingly. In the event this process is delayed, HPD will issue retroactive SCRIE payments on behalf of seniors that are determined to be eligible for the program. As the impact of COVID-19 evolves, HPD will continue to evolve its policies to keep our staff and the New Yorkers we interact with as informed and safe as possible.

Intake and registration are suspended. If you have been displaced from your home as a result of a vacate order or a fire incident and need shelter, please contact the American National Red Cross at 1-877-733-2767. Please contact your assigned Case Manager for services. If you have trouble contacting your Case Manager, call 212-863-6770 or email ehs-remote@hpd.nyc.gov.