New York Rent Help

Ursula, I’m sorry to hear about the passing of your grandmother. It sounds like she was a great provider for your household.

I assume that where the apartment previously housed three people, that now there are only two in the home. The question I must ask is this: Is the apartment still appropriate for your needs? I realize there is likely a sentimental attachment to the apartment, but it can also relieve stress if you are able to make a move to a more affordable apartment. There are grant programs that could help with making this transition if you were open to the possibility.

The vast majority of the rental assistance programs are based on the premise that they can provide you with a quick cash grant to get you through a temporary hardship. If the situation is ongoing, then it would not permanently solve the problem and thus you would not be a candidate for those programs.

I would encourage you instead to look for ways to increase the income for yourself and your brother. These same organizations that provide rent aid can also provide classes and/or referrals to employment training programs. Some of these job help services include a small amount of rental aid, so it definitely helps to find out!

We periodically feature some of these programs so please feel free to visit us again.