New York Passes 'Strongest Bill' Against Evictions

The last days of the first year of the virus brought with it a flurry of new eviction and foreclosure moratoriums and extensions, including one that New York state leaders say is the country's strongest. "This legislation is the strongest bill in the nation to block eviction proceedings from going forward and will help ensure New York renters and homeowners can stay in their homes if they are facing hardships due to the pandemic," the Empire State's state Senate said of the bill signed Monday night by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The new measures include allowing any New Yorker to bar their eviction or foreclosure until May 1 by submitting a "Standardized Hardship Declaration Form" to their landlord, lender, or a court that states they can't pay their rent or mortgage because of the pandemic.