Int 2080-2020

Be it enacted by the Council as follows: Section 1. Chapter 1 of title 21 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 21-144 to read as follows: � 21-144 Online access to rental assistance application status. a. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings. Provider. The term "provider" means a community-based organization under contract or similar agreement with the department or the department of homeless services for assisting an individual with their rental assistance application or renewal request. Rental assistance. The term "rental assistance" means financial assistance provided by the department for the purpose of paying a recipient's rent on an ongoing basis and includes but is not limited to the public assistance shelter allowance provided by the department as established by section 131-a of the social services law, section 159 of the social services law, section 349 of the social services law, or any codes, rules and regulations, as well as subsidies provided through the rental assistance program established in chapters 9 and 10 of title 68 of the rules of the city of New York, and any successor program to the foregoing programs. b. Online access. No later than June 30, 2021, the commissioner or his or her designee shall execute a contract that will provide for the status of a rental assistance application or renewal request to be made available online to the applicant or provider. Such status shall include specific information on where in the process of the rental assistance request an application is, and whether and when any rental assistance payments have been issued. � 2. This local law takes effect immediately. SG/ACK LS #8043 10/21/2020 10:47pm 2 2