Res 0470-2026

Res. No. 470 ..Title Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.3563/A.10927, to permit other qualifying members of a household to qualify for the disability rent increase exemption ..Body By Council Members Zhuang, Banks, Epstein, Ung, Hanif and Louis Whereas, The Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) program is a critical housing tool that allows eligible low-income New Yorkers with disabilities to freeze their rent and remain in their homes; and Whereas, DRIE has helped tens of thousands of New York City residents maintain housing stability and avoid displacement in an increasingly unaffordable housing market; and Whereas, Eligibility for DRIE is limited by a restrictive definition of what qualifies as head of household excluding many households in which a person with a disability resides but is not formally designated as the head of household; and Whereas, S.3563, introduced by New York State Senator Cordell Cleare, now pending in the State Senate, and A.10927, introduced by New York State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright, now pending in the State Assembly, would amend the real property tax law to permit other members of a household to establish household eligibility for the disability rent increase exemption; and Whereas, Specifically, S.3563/A.10927 would include the parent or guardian of a person with a disability in the definition of head of household for purposes of the disability rent increase program; and Whereas, This legislation would ensure the thousands of households with disabled members are not denied critical rent protections solely because of limitations on how head of household is defined; and Whereas, Expanding the eligibility for DRIE in New York City would promote housing stability, prevent eviction, curtail homelessness, and advance equity for people with disabilities and their families; now, therefore be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.3653/A.10927, to permit other qualifying members of a household to qualify for the disability rent increase exemption. LS #22448 BS 3/19/26