Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature pass and the Governor to sign legislation amending income eligibility determinations for the senior citizen rent increase exemption (SCRIE) and disability rent increase exemption (DRIE) programs

By Council Members Johnson, Chin, Gentile, Gibson, Koo, Levine, Reynoso, Rose, Vacca, Vallone, Van Bramer, Rosenthal, Mendez and Menchaca

Whereas, In 1970, New York City instituted the senior citizen rent increase exemption (SCRIE) program to shield low-income seniors from rising housing costs by offering landlords a property tax abatement in exchange for freezing the rent of eligible senior tenants; and

Whereas, Tenants are eligible for the SCRIE program if they are at least 62 years old, have a total household income that does not exceed $50,000, reside in a rent controlled or rent stabilized apartment, rent regulated hotel, or an apartment owned by a Mitchell-Lama development, and spend more than one-third of monthly income on rent; and

Whereas, In 2005, the City began to offer certain individuals with disabilities benefits similar to those offered through the SCRIE program under the disability rent increase exemption (DRIE) program; and

Whereas, Individuals that receive state or federal disability related assistance are eligible to be exempted from future rent increases if they have an annual household income no greater than $50,000, reside in a rent controlled or rent stabilized apartment, rent regulated hotel, or an apartment owned by a Mitchell-Lama development, and spend more than one-third of monthly income on rent; and

Whereas, Due to the income limits of SCRIE and DRIE, even small cost of living adjustments to entitlement programs such as Social Security or other increases in outside income can cause an individual to lose program eligibility; and

Whereas, Union dues, court-ordered support payments, business losses, and capital losses should be excluded for the purposes of determining income eligibility and pension benefits and Social Security benefits should also be excluded for the purpose of determining eligibility for SCRIE or DRIE following such household's initial application for either program; and

Whereas, A change would also require that the frozen rent of a recipient of SCRIE or DRIE only be increased by the administering agency if the recipient household's income permanently increases by at least twenty percent; and

Whereas, Changes to current legislation would allow more seniors and individuals with disabilities to keep their SCRIE and DRIE benefits, thus allowing them to afford to continue living in their homes; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon New York State Legislature pass and the Governor to sign legislation amending income eligibility determinations for the senior citizen rent increase exemption (SCRIE) and disability rent increase exemption (DRIE) programs.

KET 2/27/14 3:33PM

LS 683/2014