BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — As housing courts re-open across the states, housing advocates are holding rallies and calling for action against evictions in front of those buildings, including Buffalo.
"I'm here basically to ask Governor Cuomo, from the bottom of my heart to cancel the rent and the mortgage," said Aminah Johnson, Tenant Advocate for PUSH Buffalo.
They're calling for an #EvictionFreeNY for this year. This comes after an extension on the eviction moratorium issued by Governor Andrew Cuomo last month.
Protestors fear many tenants don't have enough money saved up to pay three months worth of rent. Which could mean hundreds will soon be out on the streets if no changes are made.
Housing advocates are making their voices heard outside of Buffalo city court this morning. @WKBW #EvictionFreeNY pic.twitter.com/Q0oilqsDjz
— Taylor Epps (@taylor_epps_) June 22, 2020
On the other side of things, local landlords have worries of their own.
"Of course our fears are that more people can't pay the rent and we don't have the money to keep our properties up to do what we need to do," said Mark Pew, Property Manager at the Kingswood Apartments in Depew.
He worries that without evictions and if rent is not paid apartment complexes will go out of business.
"I sure would like the Governor to come and talk to us before he makes some of these rules and see how it impacts us," said Pew.
Both sides say they will continue to call for action until the state itself acts.
