Committee on Disabilities

This bill would require the creation of a universal initial application and universal recertification application for the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) program and Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) program, to be administered jointly by the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), by December 31, 2025. Additionally, the bill would require the implementation of an online application website for SCRIE and DRIE benefits, as well as the institution of an online recertification process for SCRIE and DRIE benefits, by December 31, 2025.

This bill would require the creation of a universal initial application and universal recertification application for the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) program and Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) program, to be administered jointly by the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), by December 31, 2025. Additionally, the bill would require the implementation of an online application website for SCRIE and DRIE benefits, as well as the institution of an online recertification process for SCRIE and DRIE benefits, by December 31, 2025.

Currently, senior citizens with annual incomes of $50,000 or less may qualify for an exemption from real property taxes to the extent of 50% of the assessed value of their homes. Acting upon authority granted to the City under a recent amendment of State law, this bill would expand tax relief to such senior citizen homeowners in the following income brackets: for homeowners with incomes equaling $48,000 or more but less than $49,000, 55 percent of the assessed home value would be exempt; for homeowners with incomes equaling $47,000 or more but less than $48,000, 60 percent of the assessed home value would be exempt; and for homeowners with incomes less than $47,000, 65 percent of the assessed home value would be exempt.

Currently, senior citizens with annual incomes of $50,000 or less may qualify for an exemption from real property taxes to the extent of 50% of the assessed value of their homes. Acting upon authority granted to the City under a recent amendment of State law, this bill would expand tax relief to such senior citizen homeowners in the following income brackets: for homeowners with incomes equaling $48,000 or more but less than $49,000, 55 percent of the assessed home value would be exempt; for homeowners with incomes equaling $47,000 or more but less than $48,000, 60 percent of the assessed home value would be exempt; and for homeowners with incomes less than $47,000, 65 percent of the assessed home value would be exempt.

This bill would increase the maximum income level for eligibility for the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption program and the Disability Rent Increase Exemption program to $75,000 beginning July 1, 2026, and would align the definition of income used to determine eligibility for these programs with State law. This bill would apply retroactively to July 1, 2026, and would expire on the same date as part U of chapter 55 of the laws of 2014, as amended by subpart A of part V of chapter 59 of the laws of 2026.

This bill would increase the maximum income level for eligibility for the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption program and the Disability Rent Increase Exemption program to $75,000 beginning July 1, 2026, and would align the definition of income used to determine eligibility for these programs with State law. This bill would apply retroactively to July 1, 2026, and would expire on the same date as part U of chapter 55 of the laws of 2014, as amended by subpart A of part V of chapter 59 of the laws of 2026.

This bill would increase the maximum income level for eligibility for the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption program and the Disability Rent Increase Exemption program to $75,000 beginning July 1, 2026, and would align the definition of income used to determine eligibility for these programs with State law. This bill would apply retroactively to July 1, 2026, and would expire on the same date as part U of chapter 55 of the laws of 2014, as amended by subpart A of part V of chapter 59 of the laws of 2026.

This bill would increase the maximum income level for eligibility for the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption program and the Disability Rent Increase Exemption program to $75,000 beginning July 1, 2026, and would align the definition of income used to determine eligibility for these programs with State law. This bill would apply retroactively to July 1, 2026, and would expire on the same date as part U of chapter 55 of the laws of 2014, as amended by subpart A of part V of chapter 59 of the laws of 2026.

The bill would increase the base income threshold for SCHE and DHE from $50,000 to $75,000, beginning July 1, 2027, and update the existing sliding-scale exemption schedules to reflect the increased threshold. The bill would also incorporate an increase in the maximum SCHE exemption from 50 percent to 65 percent, as proposed in Int. 934. Under the new schedules, eligible homeowners with annual incomes below $72,000 would receive a 65 percent exemption under SCHE, while eligible homeowners with incomes of $75,000 or less would receive a 50 percent exemption under DHE. Both programs would provide progressively smaller exemptions at higher income levels, with a five percent exemption available to homeowners with incomes of $82,500 or more but less than $83,400.

The bill would increase the base income threshold for SCHE and DHE from $50,000 to $75,000, beginning July 1, 2027, and update the existing sliding-scale exemption schedules to reflect the increased threshold. The bill would also incorporate an increase in the maximum SCHE exemption from 50 percent to 65 percent, as proposed in Int. 934. Under the new schedules, eligible homeowners with annual incomes below $72,000 would receive a 65 percent exemption under SCHE, while eligible homeowners with incomes of $75,000 or less would receive a 50 percent exemption under DHE. Both programs would provide progressively smaller exemptions at higher income levels, with a five percent exemption available to homeowners with incomes of $82,500 or more but less than $83,400.

This bill would require owners to disclose certain information to the City before evicting older adult tenants and would require the City to provide information to such tenants about available legal assistance.

This bill would require owners to disclose certain information to the City before evicting older adult tenants and would require the City to provide information to such tenants about available legal assistance.

This bill would allow the Commissioner of Finance to exercise discretion over certain informational requirements set forth in section 11-138 of the Administrative Code concerning the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption and Disability Rent Increase Exemption programs.

This bill would allow the Commissioner of Finance to exercise discretion over certain informational requirements set forth in section 11-138 of the Administrative Code concerning the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption and Disability Rent Increase Exemption programs.

This bill would expand existing requirements regarding the dissemination of information about the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption program to also include the Disability Rent Increase Exemption program and would add the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities as a participating agency. The bill would also require the Department of Finance (DOF) to provide annual training to designated personnel at participating agencies on information regarding rent freeze programs, including eligibility requirements, application and renewal procedures, key program features, reasonable accommodations, and applicant referrals. Additionally, DOF would be required to report annually to the Council on such trainings.

This bill would expand existing requirements regarding the dissemination of information about the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption program to also include the Disability Rent Increase Exemption program and would add the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities as a participating agency. The bill would also require the Department of Finance (DOF) to provide annual training to designated personnel at participating agencies on information regarding rent freeze programs, including eligibility requirements, application and renewal procedures, key program features, reasonable accommodations, and applicant referrals. Additionally, DOF would be required to report annually to the Council on such trainings.

This bill would require the Department for the Aging (DFTA), in consultation with the Cabinet for Older New Yorkers, to develop an informational toolkit about programs, benefits, and services available to New Yorkers aged 60 and up. The toolkit must include materials containing information about rent freeze programs; information about meal delivery programs; information about other public and non-public programs, benefits, and services for older adults; contact information for DFTA; and contact information for other relevant agencies and organizations. On an annual basis, DFTA would have to distribute a printed version of the toolkit at older adult centers, to homebound older adults, and to new or potential participants in DFTA programs. DFTA would also have to post the toolkit on its website and ensure that the printed and digital versions are accessible. This bill would require regular updates to the toolkit.

This bill would require the Department for the Aging (DFTA), in consultation with the Cabinet for Older New Yorkers, to develop an informational toolkit about programs, benefits, and services available to New Yorkers aged 60 and up. The toolkit must include materials containing information about rent freeze programs; information about meal delivery programs; information about other public and non-public programs, benefits, and services for older adults; contact information for DFTA; and contact information for other relevant agencies and organizations. On an annual basis, DFTA would have to distribute a printed version of the toolkit at older adult centers, to homebound older adults, and to new or potential participants in DFTA programs. DFTA would also have to post the toolkit on its website and ensure that the printed and digital versions are accessible. This bill would require regular updates to the toolkit.