The next coronavirus stimulus package should include $100 billion in rental assistance to help families stay in their homes amid an economic crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said.

At the same time, Gillibrand is backing a provision that would provide $11.5 billion for state and local governments to aid families and people who are left homeless due to the crisis.

What You Need To Know

  •  Senator Gillibrand is asking for $100 billion for rental assistance
  •  The program would send money through an existing temporary assistance program
  • Evictions are still barred in New York.

“This pandemic has caused steep and unique barriers for New Yorkers experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity,” Gillibrand said. “It is our job as public servants to protect our most vulnerable and we must ensure that at-risk Americans are able to remain housed and have access to housing and shelters during this crisis.”

Gillibrand wants the rental assistance money to help people stay in their homes as well as pay essential utilities.

The program would send money to states, communities and tribes through an existing temporary assistance program created by the federal government in order to rapidly distribute the money.

In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo in March issued an order barring evictions for tenants who cannot pay their rent as well as a moratorium on mortgage foreclosures.

The economic crisis has led to a sharp rise in unemployment to 14.7 percent, the highest since the Great Depression.