The New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program assists households behind on their rent that have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19 and are at risk of homelessness or housing instability. Applications accepted starting June 1st. Need help applying? Hudson River Housing’s Housing Navigators can provide assistance.

DO I QUALIFY?

Eligible residents must meet the following criteria:

• Household gross income at or below 120 percent of area median income, which varies by county and household size. The maximum income threshold was increased as of September 15, 2021.
• A member of the household received unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in income, incurred significant costs or experienced financial hardship, directly or indirectly, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The applicant owes past due rent at their current residence.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

This assistance can pay up to 12 months of past due rent and for some households, pay up to 3 months for future rent. The program can also pay for up to 12 months of overdue electric or gas bills. Please note, payments will always be issued directly to the landlord or utility provider.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT YOU NEED TO APPLY: Click here for Landlords Click here for Renters

Apply for NYS Emergency Rental Assistance

If you need assistance accessing the portal, uploading documentation, or have any questions, our Housing Navigators are available to help. For assistance in English, contact (845) 337-4407. Para asistencia en español, llame a (845) 337-4407 x108. 

If you are in need of assistance, you are encouraged to apply and complete all application questions. Our Housing Navigators will assist in determining eligibility for any currently available emergency rent relief assistance funds. 

If you previously applied for assistance through Hudson River Housing or another source and were denied or having an ongoing unmet need, please submit an application. Immigration status is not an eligibility criteria for funding. 

Hudson River Housing’s Emergency Rent Relief Program is funded by Dutchess County, the City of Poughkeepsie, TD Bank Charitable Foundation, the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, the NYS Housing Trust Fund Corporation, and private donors.

GENERAL

Dutchess Responds (connection to other resources, Dutchess Responds emergency services)

• Dutchess County Coronavirus Information Line: 845-486-3555
• Website: https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/DBCH/Dutchess-Responds-COVID-19.htm

Map of Dutchess County Emergency Resources: https://arcg.is/Oy84m

EMERGENCY FOOD & FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Dutchess Outreach (meals, food pantry, emergency assistance with rent and utilities): 845-454-3792

Cathlic Charities (food pantry, emergency assistance with rent and utilities): 845-452-1400

Community Action of Poughkeepsie (Food Pantry, free tax preparation services) 77 Cannon Street, Poughkeepsie 845 452-5104 Hours of operation: call to make an appointment Monday through Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm (closed 12- 1 pm) Eligibility: Must bring proof of address and I.D. for self and dependents

Neighborworks Homeownership Center Financial Counseling Services / Foreclosure Prevention – See contact below under “Housing Resources”

There may be other pantries closer to you – see more Dutchess County Food Pantries here: ww.dutchessny.gov/Departments/DBCH/Docs/Food-Pantries-or-Meals-Resources.pdf

Unemployment insurance – 888-209-8124, https://labor.ny.gov/unemploymentassistance.shtm

HOUSING RESOURCES

Emergency housing access

• Hudson River Housing’s Webster House & Mental Health America’s Living Room – Emergency Overnight Shelter and Daytime Shelter Program at 150 North Hamilton Street, Poughkeepsie NY 12601, 845-473-5166

• General questions about homelessness services – Call Nikole at 845-905-6138

• After Hours Emergency Placement Telephone Line: 845-471-8454, Nikole at njohannesen@hudsonriverhousing.org

• Grace Smith: Domestic Violence Shelter, 845-471-3038

• MARC – CDCC Addiction Treatment Center at 51 Cannon St, Poughkeepsie NY 12601, 845-471-0310

• House of Faith Ministry, Inc. Emergency Shelter, 845-765-0293

Rental & utilities assistance

• Hudson River Housing Emergency Fund: Applications available above.

• Hudson River Housing’s Housing Navigator – Leave Robin a message at 845-337-4407 ext 105 or by email at RDilio@hudsonriverhousing.org.

• Legal Services of the Hudson Valley – Personalized phone in-takes about your unique situation to provide advice from an attorney, 845-471-0058 EXT 400 or 428.

• Neighborworks Homeownership Center Foreclosure Intervention counseling services, call Lashonda at 845-276-3689 or email Ldenson@hudsonriverhousing.org. Also provides general financial counseling services, leave a message for Leona at 845-454-9288 EXT 603 or email Loconnell@hudsonriverhousing.org.

• Dutchess Outreach (emergency assistance with rent and utilities): 845-454-3792

• Cathlic Charities (emergency assistance with rent and utilities): 845-452-1400

• Good Neighbor Fund (Up to $275 support with utility payments to Central Hudson): 845-471-1210

• Central Hudson Get updated information about service by phone (845-452-2700) or at their website: https://www.cenhud.com/my-energy/safety/coronavirus-safety/

FREE & LOW COST INTERNET & TECH 

Altice Advantage COVID-19 Offer for families with K-12 children and college students at home

• Offered through Optimum
• 60 days of free internet, installation, and equipment. At the end of the period, households can either cancel or continue as a regular customer.
• Call 866-200-9522 or visit https://www.alticeadvantageinternet.com/
• Eligibility:
  • All families with school age (K-12/ college)
  • New customers

Altice Advantage Ongoing Offer & Offer for households with no school age kids

• Offered through Optimum
• Internet at $14.99 per month (no charge for first 2 months)
• Apply online at https://apply.alticeadvantageinternet.com/welcome
• Find out if you quality at 844-358-3147
• Eligibility:
  • Part of either The National School Lunch Program (NSLP),
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (ages 65+)
  • Veteran and receiving state or federal public assistance.
• Application available at https://www.spectrum.com/browse/content/spectrum-internet-assist

Spectrum COVID-19 Offer for families with K-12 children and college students at home

• 2 months of free internet beginning March 16, all installation and service fees waived
• Call 855-243-8892
• Eligibility:
  • All families with school age children with remote learning needs
  • Households that have not previously had Spectrum

Spectrum Internet Assist Ongoing Offer

• Internet at $14.99 per month if you choose to continue with Spectrum after 2 month period or do not have school age children. No contract needed.
• Eligibility: 1 or more members of the household must be a part of
  • National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
  • Community Eligibility Provision (CEL) of NSLP
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (ages 65 and up)
  • Not included: SSD, SSDI, & Social Security Survivor and Retirement Benefits

• Application available at https://www.spectrum.com/browse/content/spectrum-internet-assist

The Lifeline Assistance Program through Assurance Wireless / “The Obama Phone”

• Free cell phone, monthly service, and 250 minutes
• Other providers in New York that offer the Obama Phone: Access Wireless, Safelink Wireless (subsidiary of Tracfone)
• Apply online: https://www.assurancewireless.com/
• Eligibility based on household income OR One member of the household is participating in one of these programs:
  • Medicaid/Medi-Cal
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps or SNAP)/CalFresh
  • Supplemental Security Income
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
  • Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
  • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
  • Tribal Head Start
  • Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefits

PC’s for People

• Internet ($15 a month), LTE access (included), and modem ($80)
• Professionally refurbished laptops and desktop computers starting at $100
• Eligibility: Those 200% under the poverty line or participating in government assistance programs Learn more here: https://www.pcsforpeople.org/eligibility/ and order online here: https://pcsrefurbished.com/sales/salesHome.aspx.
• Phone support is open 11 AM – 6:30 PM EST Monday – Friday: 651-354-2552.

FREE MENTAL & EMOTIONAL HEALTH RESOURCES

24/7 Crisis Services Call or text 845-485-9700 or call 877-485-9700. Walk-ins available at the Stabilization Center at 230 North Road, Poughkeepsie NY. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, you can get support here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

New York State COVID-19 Emotional Support Helpline 8AM – 10PM 7 days a week, 1-844-863-9314

Down Dog – Customizable yoga app, free until May 1st and free for students and teachers (K-12 and college) and healthcare professionals until July 1 (downdogapp.com/schools and downdogapp.com/healthcare). They also have apps “Barre” and “HIIT” for different forms of exercising.

Balance – Customizable meditation app

Chakra Meditation Balancing – App containing meditation soundtracks and information about the body and spirituality

Sanity & Self – Stress relief and meditation app, specifically for women

Water Reminder – App for helping to track your hydration levels

MyFitnessPal – App for tracking/planning nutritional intake and workouts