Update on COVID-19 Vaccination for People Experiencing Homelessness

Register for the COVID-19 Vaccination for People Experiencing Homelessness Webinar – January 19, 2021 – 2:00 PM EST
During this webinar, the CDC will provide the most recent updates about COVID-19 vaccination for people experiencing homelessness covering COVID-19 vaccine basics, safety, the prioritization of persons experiencing homelessness for COVID-19 vaccination, special considerations for the vaccination of this population, and an example strategy from the Minnesota of Department of Health.

Only 09 Days Until Tens of Millions of Renters Could Lose Their Homes When The Federal Eviction Moratorium Ends

Learn About Protections and Steps Renters Must Take!

A federal eviction moratorium issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is in effect from September 4, 2020 to December 31, 2020. The temporary moratorium on evictions extends vital protections to tens of millions of renters at risk of eviction for nonpayment of rent during the global pandemic.

Now we must work to ensure that every renter in need knows about this protection and takes the steps necessary to stay in their home. And we must push Congress and the White House to #GetBacktoWork on a COVID-19 relief bill that pairs a national eviction moratorium with at least $100 billion in emergency rental assistance.

FAQ ON CDC MORATORIUM

When the moratorium expires on December 31, 2020, back rent will be due, and renters will be unable to pay. In the meantime, small landlords who rely on rental income to maintain and operate their properties will increasingly struggle to pay their bills.

Congress must provide at least $100 billion in emergency rental assistance to keep renters stably housed during and after the pandemic and to ensure we don’t lose any of our country’s essential housing stock.

What’s Next?

To be protected, qualified renters facing eviction should immediately provide a signed declaration to their landlords. For more details about the moratorium and a sample declaration that renters can use, read NLIHC’s and NHLP’s Overview of National Eviction Moratorium and our National Eviction Moratorium: FAQ for Renters [Español]. 


SUPPORT RIGHT TO COUNSEL FOR LOW INCOME TENANTS IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY

If you believe that all low income tenants in Westchester County should receive free legal representation in eviction proceedings, call, email, or write your county legislator today. Tell your legislator:

Under the US Constitution, no one may be criminally prosecuted without legal representation. If a defendant cannot afford an attorney, an attorney is provided free of charge.

Under New York State Law, no one may lose custody of their children without legal representation. If a parent cannot afford an attorney, an attorney is provided free of charge.

But 93% of tenants facing eviction in Westchester housing courts have no legal representation. Tenants without attorneys typically lose their case - and their homes - within 3-4 minutes. No one in Westchester County should be evicted from their home without legal representation. If a tenant cannot afford an attorney, an attorney should be provided free of charge.

Find your legislator here.

https://giswww.westchestergov.com/ElectedOfficials/index.html

Sign our online petition here: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/the-right-to-counsel?source=direct_link&.

To receive regular email updates, please email:

rtcwestchester@gmail.com

FREE Flu Vaccines Available!

December 2020

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WESTCHESTER COUNTY EXECUTIVE GEORGE LATIMER ANNOUNCES FREE FLU VACCINES

AVAILABLE THIS WEEK

 

Health Commissioner Urges All Residents To Schedule A Flu Shot

(White Plains, NY) – Flu season is here and Westchester County Executive George Latimer announced that the County Health Department will partner with Westchester Medical Center Advanced Physicians Services to offer free flu shots to residents ages seven and older this Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at the Westchester County Center in White Plains.

Latimer said: “I encourage you to get a flu shot, and it is especially important this year, because you don’t want to suffer through the flu on top of Covid-19, and a flu shot will help you protect yourself and the most vulnerable around you well into 2021.”

Advance registration is required. To register CLICK HERE.

Appointments are available as follows:

•          Thursday, December 3, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

•          Saturday, December 5, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

•          Sunday, December 6, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

These flu vaccine appointments are open to all. The County Health Department has focused its public vaccination efforts on people who are unable to get vaccinated elsewhere by bringing flu shots to homeless shelters and food pantries throughout Westchester.

Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler, MD, said: “Flu vaccines are safe, effective and widely available now. I urge you not to wait until flu season peaks to get a flu shot, because the vaccine becomes fully effective in about two weeks. With the Covid-19 pandemic still posing a strain on our healthcare systems and a risk to us all, a flu shot is more important than ever. It can help you avoid flu and Covid-19 overlap and help doctors determine how best to treat you if you become sick.”

Although it is light now, flu activity usually peaks between December and February and can last into May. One flu vaccine now provides protection all season long and can prevent illness or reduce the severity of flu symptoms.

Dr. Amler said that anyone with respiratory infection symptoms should get tested for Covid-19 and influenza and avoid exposing others until they receive their test results. They also should cough or sneeze into their elbow, wash their hands frequently with soap and water, stay home until 24 hours after their fever subsides to avoid spreading germs, clean surfaces they touch frequently, such as doorknobs, water faucets, refrigerator handles and telephones, and get plenty of rest. 

www.childcarewestchester.org

914.761.3456

313 Central Park Avenue

Scarsdale, NY 10583

 

Join Our Mailing List

 

Westchester County's Eviction Prevention Initiatives with Commissioner Norma Drummond

Westchester County's Eviction Prevention Initiatives with Commissioner Norma Drummond
Monday, November 30th, 2:00 - 3:30 PM

Westchester County Commissioner of Planning, Norma Drummond, will provide an update on the county's eviction prevention initiatives and will answer questions from participants.

Register Here

Westchester Housing Stabilization Programs in the Midst of COVID-19:

  • Eviction Prevention for Landlords

  • Eviction Prevention in Consortium Communities

  • Foreclosure Prevention

  • Medium-Term Rental Assistance

Learn More Here

 


Webinar: Eviction Prevention and Housing Retention During and After COVID-19

Partner Webinar: SAMHSA's Homeless and Housing Resource CenterEviction Prevention and Housing Retention During and After COVID-19December 16 at 3:00 p.m. ETThe COVID-19 pandemic has led to economic hardship and housing instability for millions of A…

Partner Webinar:
SAMHSA's Homeless and Housing Resource Center

Eviction Prevention and Housing Retention
During and After COVID-19

December 16 at 3:00 p.m. ET

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to economic hardship and housing instability for millions of Americans. With eviction moratoria expected to expire at the end of 2020, individuals and families are at risk of losing their housing. Join SAMHSA’s new Homeless and Housing Resource Center to explore strategies for eviction prevention and housing retention. Participants will hear from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) leadership, an experienced housing attorney, and local Continuum of Care (CoC) leadership about implementing data-informed, targeted prevention efforts that prioritize racial equity and will learn strategies that can be implemented now to prevent future housing instability when the moratoria expire.

Speakers:

John Kuhn, SSVF National Director, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Larry McDonough, Attorney at Law and Adjunct Professor of Law, Senior Minnesota Counsel, National Anti-Eviction Project, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

Randy McCoy, Executive Director of Metro Area Continuum of Care for the Homeless (MACCH), Omaha, Nebraska

REGISTER HERE


This webinar is being hosted by our partner SAMHSA's Homeless and Housing Resource Center (HHRC). If you have questions or concerns, please contact info@hhrctraining.org.

Community Build Back Program Funding Expires 12/31/20

Please see below for information from HDSW's Neighborhood Preservation Company (NPC) regarding the County Executive's Community Build Back program to assist those impacted by COVID-19.  Funding is available, but expires 12/31/2020, to assist with Foreclosure and Eviction Prevention.

The NPC is located In Port Chester; however, they do serve all of Westchester County. They are able to make appointments to “see” people by telephone or virtually by Zoom.

 

Any questions? Please contact NPC directly at (914) 939-2005.

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People Experiencing Homelessness May Qualify for an Economic Impact Payment

People experiencing homelessness may be eligible for a $1,200 Economic Impact Payment and $500 for each qualifying child under age 17. To get this payment, they must register with the IRS by using the free Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here tool by Saturday, November 21, 2020.

If someone's income is below $12,200, or $24,400 if they're married, they probably don't file a tax return. That means the IRS may not have enough information to issue their payment.

The free Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here tool is available in English and Spanish.

People who don't normally file a tax return may be eligible for an EIP if they:

  • Are a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or qualifying resident alien

  • Have a work-eligible Social Security number

  • Cannot be claimed as a dependent of another taxpayer

To use the tool, a person needs:

  • Name, as it appears on Social Security card, for self and spouse, if they are eligible

  • A work-eligible SSN for self and spouse, if they are eligible

  • For each qualifying child, name, relationship and SSN or Adoption Tax Identification Number

  • An email address to help create an account to use the Non-Filers tool

  • A mailing address where they can receive the payment and a confirmation letter, which the IRS will mail within 15 days after issuing their payment

  • Banking information, including routing and account numbers, if they want their payment via direct deposit

  • An Identity Protection Personal Identification Number, if the IRS sent one in the past. If a person lost it, they can use the Get an IP PIN tool at IRS.gov to retrieve their number

The Non-Filers tool asks for a user's license or state ID number to digitally sign the document. There are other ways to do this, so an ID is optional in the tool.

If someone wants their payment by direct deposit but doesn't have a bank account, they can visit the FDIC website for help. The IRS will mail a payment to anyone who doesn't give direct deposit information.

Other key points about Economic Impact Payments

  • The IRS highly recommends the online Non-Filers tool for the fastest Economic Impact Payment.

  • People who can't access or use the tool should follow the steps in the Non-Filers tool section of the Economic Impact Payment FAQs. Someone who mails a simplified paper tax return to get their Economic Impact Payment, rather than using the Non-Filers tool, must submit it by Thursday, October 15, 2020.

  • If someone misses the November 21 deadline, they can claim the payment as a credit on a 2020 federal income tax return next year.

  • The payment is not taxable income and getting one does not affect eligibility for other benefits, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, unemployment benefits or other benefit programs.

  • People can use the Get My Payment tool at IRS.gov within two weeks to check their payment status.

More information:

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/people-experiencing-homelessness-may-qualify-for-an-economic-impact-payment

Help for Westchester Homeowners with Mortgage Arrears

If you are a Westchester homeowner and resident who is facing foreclosure due to four months or less of mortgage arrears due to Covid-19, we can help. Westchester County has provided The Bridge Fund of Westchester with a grant to help those facing foreclosure to pay their arrears and save their homes.

The money we provide to eligible homeowners does not have to be repaid. But the funds we have will expire at the end of 2020, so act now to find out if you are eligible for this assistance.

  • You must be a single family homeowner whose primary residence is in Westchester County.

  • The cause of the arrears must be due to Covid-19.

  • You must not owe more than four months. Arrears owed prior to April 1, 2020 are ineligible.

  • The money will be paid directly to the bank where the mortgage is held.

  • You do not have to repay the money to The Bridge Fund of Westchester.

For more information, call The Bridge Fund of Westchester: (914) 949-8146

Housing Law & Eviction Prevention for Community Advocates Presentation

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Basic Housing Law & Eviction Prevention for the Community Advocate

Two sessions will be offered on the following dates:


Friday, November 6, 12-1:30pm

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82753663114?pwd=d3hxdjZaRzFLY3J5dmdJRW91 Qm4wZz09
Meeting ID: 827 5366 3114
Passcode: 997494

Tuesday, November 10, 12-1:30pm

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82982378247?pwd=WXVRR3hvbCs0QXM4Q3pDQ3UrWnM1Zz09

Meeting ID: 829 8237 8247

Passcode: 990337

Please contact AVasquez@lshv.org if you need a dial in phone number.
Space is limited so please rsvp to: AVasquez@lshv.org