One of the main problems lies in how New York legislators designed the state’s now-depleted pandemic rent relief program. Public housing tenants were given the lowest priority of those eligible for assistance because legislators figured they had access to other safety nets.

NYCHA residents still applied for at least $130 million worth of aid — but they received none.

The New York City Housing Authority collected just 65 percent of the rent it charged in the 12 months leading up to December, the lowest percentage in the agency’s history.

Source: As Thousands Fall Behind on Rent, Public Housing Faces ‘Disaster’ – The New York Times