Res 0512-2026

Res. No. 512 ..Title Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.4252/A.10721, to provide for a continuation of senior citizen rent increase exemption or disability rent increase exemption benefits after a period of ineligibility due to a head of household's temporary increase in income ..Body By Council Members Zhuang, Maloney, Stevens, Louis, Schulman, Aldebol and Morano Whereas, The Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) and the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) protect eligible older adults 62 years of age or older and eligible persons with disabilities from housing instability or loss that could result from rent increases; and Whereas, SCRIE freezes the rent for residents of rent-regulated housing who have a combined household income of $50,000 or less, are at least 62 years old, and spend more than one-third of their household income on rent; and Whereas, DRIE freezes the rent for residents of rent-regulated housing who have a combined income of $50,000, are at least 18 years old and have a qualifying disability, are named on the lease, and spend more than one-third of their household income on rent; and Whereas, Housing stability for both older adults and persons with disabilities is essential to ensure that they may continue to reside in their communities and avoid displacement or homelessness, the consequences of which can pose particular challenges for older adults and persons with disabilities; and Whereas, However, under the current programs, older adults and persons with disabilities who temporarily exceed income eligibility thresholds due to one-time or short-term increases in income, such as pension adjustments, part-time employment, or emergency withdrawals, risk the loss of their SCRIE or DRIE benefits; and Whereas, Such temporary increases in income do not reflect either a permanent or long-term improvement in an eligible resident's financial situation and cause unintended consequences and hardship if their rent protections under SCRIE and DRIE are permanently disrupted; and Whereas, In February 2025, New York State Senator Kevin S. Parker introduced S.4252, which has passed the State Senate, and would guarantee that recipients of the SCRIE benefit not be subject to hindsight rent increases due to a period of ineligibility; and Whereas, A companion bill, A.10721, introduced by New York State Assembly Member Grace Lee, is now pending in the State Assembly; and Whereas, This legislation would prevent the disqualification of older adults from receiving SCRIE benefits, and of persons with disabilities from receiving DRIE benefits, merely because of a one-time spike in income; and Whereas, Older adults and disabled New Yorkers should be stably housed and protected against displacement from their homes; and Whereas, It is imperative to streamline, safeguard, and make easier the process for the older adult and disabled New Yorker population to maintain their status under SCRIE and DRIE; 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.4252/A.10721, to provide for a continuation of senior citizen rent increase exemption or disability rent increase exemption benefits after a period of ineligibility due to a head of household's temporary increase in income. LS #22446 BS 3/19/26