Resources
Resource sharing is the cornerstone of CIPHER’s mission. Below you can find a list of websites and resources vetted and compiled by our students. If you have any additional resources or opportunities you’d like to share with our team, please feel free to submit them in the form provided at the bottom of this page.
Get Healthy Heights: Housing Directory
Get Healthy Heights is a resource directory and hub for Columbia University’s neighboring communities. Resources are updated, comprehensive, and organized into a wide range of categories and topics. The site is easy to use and navigate - it also includes a newsletter to stay on top of community resources as they are posted and updated.
Legal Services NYC: COVID-19 Resources
Legal Services NYC offers a in-depth list of legal services available during COVID-19. The information is available in six languages: Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Korean, Haitian Creole, and Bangla. Currently, eviction proceedings remain suspended but some new filings are allowed - the site nicely lays out who to contact, explains the Tenant Safe Harbor Act, and provides other helpful resources.
Legal Aid for Housing Issues During COVID-19
This helpful listing of resources is organized by frequently asked questions. The page is updated regularly as new information is gathered and announced. The site also has useful links to help find and contact a lawyer remotely. The COVID-19 Rent Relief Program, free do-it-yourself legal forms, and online chat with Legal Aid are also available through this site.
For Renters
If you have received an eviction notice recently or a Section 8 termination, you can find answers to questions you may have by visiting the Nassau Suffolk Law Services website. The firm is working remotely and speaks Spanish. Information on new evictions, old evictions, all tenants and subsidized housing can be found on their website.
All eviction proceedings and any ongoing eviction orders are suspended statewide until August 20.
This pause is called an "eviction moratorium."
The moratorium is on residential and commercial evictions.
Read more about what the eviction moratorium means by clicking below.
New York is also banning fees for late or missed payments during the eviction moratorium. Renters facing financial hardship due to COVID-19 are also allowed to use their security deposit as payment and repay their security deposit over time.
For Mortgage Holders
All existing foreclosure proceedings have been suspended until August 2020. Foreclosure cases are "non-essential" matters. If you are behind on your payments, your lender should not be able to start a new foreclosure case against you right now. If you are already facing foreclosure, you should know that foreclosure cases are being rescheduled to later this year.
What should you do if you’re facing foreclosure or falling behind on your mortgage during the COVID-19 pandemic? LawNY lays out options in their recent article.
North Manhattan Resources
Social Services: Improvement Corp
Northern Manhattan Improvement Corp is providing services to all families in need of legal and career services, immigration, housing, access to benefits and more. The contact information is provided by the Get Healthy Heights site and include a link to NYC Access for information on rent freeze programs, child support, and food pantries.
Low Income Housing in Inwood & WashHeights
LowIncomeHousing.us provides a listing of available Inwood and Washington Heights low income housing units including Section 8 housing, Low Income Housing Tax Credit Properties (LIHTC), HUD, Non Profit Apartments, Senior Low Income Public Housing and more.
Shelters, Transitional Housing, & Services for Homeless People
The Hunter College New York City Food Policy Center has published an excellent and extensive list of resources in the Inwood and Washington Heights communities. The NYC Food Policy Center has been calling continuously to check openings to keep the list updated.
Are we missing an important resource?
We’d like to know! Don’t hesitate - submit your resource, questions, or concerns in our contact form provided here. Your name is optional. We’d love to hear from you!