Utica, NY—Tenants, property owners and housing advocates are demanding that Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri move more quickly to provide relief to tenants and homeowners who are struggling and cannot afford to make rent and mortgage payments.
“So many people have lost their jobs because of the Coronavirus pandemic. People are suffering from a loss of income, stressors that are beyond their control and at this point some people will not be able to recover without assistance from the government,” said Felicia Graves-Perry, Citizen Action member and Utica resident. “Why has Mayor Palmieri been so silent on enacting the funds for rent relief? If he can provide peace of mind to vulnerable tenants and property owners, why hasn’t he yet?”
Congressman Anthony Brindisi secured $1.48 million in Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) funding in the federal CARES Act to combat homelessness. It has been more than a month since the Utica Common Council unanimously passed a rent relief resolution urging Mayor Palmieri to use the ESG funding for rental relief in Utica. The mayor has yet to announce plans to help distribute the funds.
“When rent is piling up and residents are facing eviction, where is Palmieri,” said Jay Barton, Citizen Action member and Utica resident. “Where is the program? People are running out of time and options. Why isn’t this moving faster?”
Many of Utica’s residents were rent-burdened before Covid-19. Without rent and mortgage forgiveness at the federal level, and New York’s eviction moratorium set to expire in August, Mayor Palmieri must take action now to protect his constituents and help residents facing homelessness.