NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A rally to urge Gov. Kathy Hochul and the New York state legislature to extend the pandemic era eviction moratorium Tuesday afternoon is expected to draw over a 100 faith leaders as well as tenants and members of Housing Justice for All — an organization that fights housing rights statewide.
The march comes amid reports state lawmakers are scheduled to meet as early as Wednesday to vote on extending Tuesday's eviction moratorium deadline after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Biden administration’s temporary federal ban on evictions.
On Friday, Hochul called for a special legislative session "to address the impending eviction crisis, given the Supreme Court’s decision."
Following a short program, marchers will head to Hochul's Midtown Manhattan office to deliver their letter and later hold a prayer vigil to close out Tuesday's event.
"We are united in our faith commitment to love and care for our neighbors, especially the most vulnerable," the organization said. "And it is in that spirit that we appeal to you now. Faith leaders will be joined by tenants who are behind on rent and facing displacement as pandemic-era eviction protections lapse."
Deputy Senate majority Leader Michael Gianaris, said he expects an extension to pass.
"It seems that the Legislature and the governor all agree that we want to get this done; and so it's just a matter nailing down the last couple of details," Gianaris said.
860,000 New Yorkers are behind on rent and 77% of households with rent-debt are people of color, according to Housing Justice For All.
"You can stop every eviction," the letter reads. "It is imperative that you act. You probably have members of your own families who share in this predicament. Members of our congregations are certainly facing homelessness if the eviction moratorium is not renewed and expanded."