NY Democrats call for mortgage forgiveness in next coronavirus relief bill

Members of the New York Democratic congressional delegation are urging leaders to include rent and mortgage forgiveness in the next coronavirus stimulus bill. 

Reps. Grace Meng and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrote a letter Tuesday signed by eight other New York Democrats calling for the creation of a new Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program.

“We have seen how this crisis has exposed the deeply entrenched inequities in our economic and housing system. Therefore, we urge you to include a universal, national rent and mortgage forgiveness fund in the next legislative package — and ensure that as families fight for their health, we protect their human right to stable housing,” the Democrats wrote. 

The proposed HUD program would reimburse landlords for rent and would allow homeowners to take advantage of mortgage forgiveness for the duration of the pandemic and a six month period after the pandemic is declared over. 

“Not only does HUD have the capacity to administer a program of this scale, but it would serve as a direct stimulus for the countless families that are facing unprecedented economic hardship,” the members added. 

The letter was sent to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.). 

Democratic New York Reps. Jerrold Nadler, Nydia Velazquez, Adriano Espaillat, José Serrano, Yvette Clarke, Eliot Engel, Carolyn Maloney and Hakeem Jeffries also signed on. 

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) introduced legislation in April to cancel rent and mortgage payments over the pandemic. The bill has the support of both co-chairpeople of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, but faces long odds at making it through Congress.