A New Era for Low-Income New Yorkers
Thanks to over a decade of advocacy by Empire Justice, welfare mortgages are being abolished in New York State On April 9, 2022, the New York State budget repealed Social Services Law 106. This predatory law required homeowners to give a mortgage on their homes in exchange for receiving public assistance benefits. Instead of providing stability and financial security for their families through the asset of their home, public assistance recipients were saddled with debt, draining the equity out of their homes and creating intergenerational financial burdens. This change was made possible by Empire Justice Center’s 360-degree approach. After working with New Yorkers affected by Social Services Law 106, Empire Justice Center brought public attention to this issue in 2013 with our report, “Don’t Lien on Me,” located HERE. In 2017, Empire Justice filed Andersen V. Roberts, requiring credits to welfare mortgages for workfare. For the past 7 years, Empire Justice's policy team has worked to repeal SSL 106. This is a huge victory for low-income homeowners in our State, saving thousands of families from millions of dollars in debt. We can't do this transformative work without your support. Donate to Empire Justice today. Together, we can make the law work for ALL New Yorkers. |
|
Help us spread this exciting news! Forward this email or share to social media. We’re extremely proud of the team at Empire Justice Center paved the way for this change, including Susan Antos, Kristin Brown, Kirsten Keefe, Eoghann Renfroe, Jessica Radbord, and our co-counsel, Saima Akhtar of NCLEJ. We’re grateful for the work of Central Staff in the Legislature, Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal and Senator Roxanne Persaud. |
|
