Tenants in New York City who were unable to pay rent during the pandemic have been waiting anxiously for New York State to extend the eviction moratorium.

Without it, suddenly, a year and half's worth of rent would be due, and housing courts were being flooded with applications from landlords to evict tenants who have not been able to pay. But many have already been caught up in evictions, and it seems they have nowhere to turn. 

Ellen Davidson, staff attorney for The Legal Aid Society said, even if you've already received an eviction notice, all hope is not lost; there are, indeed, steps that can be taken to save your home.

Davidson joined In Focus to answer practical, urgent questions about what renters facing eviction can do to stave off the marshals.  

For example, did you know that, just by applying for rent relief, the clock stops on eviction? Davidson, who, along with her Legal Aid colleagues, is representing tenants facing eviction, shares her wisdom and her legal advice, allowing terrified tenants to take important first steps to stop enforcement of eviction notices that have already been served, and to protect themselves in the future.