Frustrated New Yorkers and housing advocates rallied outside of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Manhattan office after they say public housing tenants were overlooked for COVID-19 rent relief.  

Juanita Lewis, executive director of Community Voices Heard, says that over 70,000 public housing tenants are at the risk of eviction, stating that they were put at the back of the line for rent relief stipends during the height of COVID-19.

Those at Friday's rally are calling for the governor to put $589 million into the state’s budget for rental debt relief for public housing residents.  

“If we are serious about addressing New York’s housing crisis, we must recognize public housing is part of the solution, and we must match our words with dollars,” said Council Member and chair of the New York City Council’s Committee on Public Housing Alexa Aviles, who joined protesters on Friday.  

The New York state constitution mandates the approval of the state budget by Saturday, April 1, but it is expected to be delayed.