Robert Gavin is reporting for the Times Union affordable housing advocates are calling on state lawmakers to approve a slate of bills they say will prevent a looming eviction crisis. Three bills were unveiled July 10, by Democratic legislators that would extend protections for all tenants. Legislators are expected to reconvene later this month to pass additional bills on police reform and pandemic-related measures on housing and other issues. While the Legislature previously adopted some tenant protections, advocates say those measures do not go far enough. The latest bills would extend eviction protections as well as foreclosure proceedings for tenants and homeowners “for a period of one year after the end of the state of emergency;” cancel rent and mortgage payments during the crisis; and provide resources for homeless families and individuals to get into permanent, quality housing. Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris said without pursuing stronger protections, a housing crisis will smack lawmakers and New Yorkers in general in the face. “We just keep pretending there is not a problem. What we did was incredibly modest, and doesn’t scratch the surface in solving the problem,” he said. Read the full story in the Times Union.