BILL NUMBER: S561
SPONSOR: KRUEGER
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the administrative code of the city of New York and the
real property tax law, in relation to notice regarding the rent increase
exemption for low income elderly persons and persons with disabilities
programs
 
PURPOSE:
This bill relates to notice regarding the rent increase exemption for
low income elderly persons and persons with disabilities programs.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section one amends the administrative code of the city of New York by
adding a new section 26-605.2.
Section two amends subdivision three of section 467-b of the real prop-
erty tax law by adding anew paragraph j.
Section three amends subdivision three of section 467-c of the real
property tax law by adding a new paragraph e.
Section four sets forth the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) and Disability Rent
Increase Exemption (DRIE) programs, collectively known as the Rent
Freeze programs, freeze the rent of eligible senior citizens or disabled
individuals who are over the age of 62 or have a qualifying disability,
have an annual income of $50,000 or less, live in a rent-stabilized,
rent-controlled or other eligible affordable housing unit and spend a
third of their household income or more on their rent. Together, these
programs have helped thousands of vulnerable tenants who live on low,
fixed incomes remain in their homes.
Despite their efficacy, the Rent Freeze programs remain woefully under-
subscribed. According to a report by New York City Comptroller Scott
Stringer, only 49% of all eligible individuals are enrolled in SCRIE or
DRIE. The report estimated that more than 121,000 seniors and just under
35,000 disabled were eligible but not enrolled in SCRIE or DRIE respec-
tively. The number of working seniors in New York City grew by 62%
between 2005 and 2015. Providing seniors and people with disabilities
with rent increase relief will help them to stay in their homes and to
spend their golden years relaxing instead of worrying about how they are
going to pay their bills.
This legislation will help increase enrollment in the SCRIE and DRIE
programs by requiring agencies of New York City and New York State that
regularly and officially interact with tenants regarding their leases to
provide tenants with notification of their potential eligibility for
SCRIE and DRIE.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: S.429/A.679 (Rosenthal) - Reported to Finance/Referred to Hous-
ing
2021-22: S.512/A.719 (Rosenthal) - Referred to Housing
2019-20: S.6210/A.7730 (Rosenthal) - Referred to Housing
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Undetermined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have
become law; provided, however, that the amendments to section 467-b of
the real property tax law made by section two of this act shall not
affect the expiration of such section and shall expire therewith.
Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule
or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effec-
tive date are authorized and directed to be made and implemented on or
before such effective date.

Statutes affected:
S561: 467-b real property tax law, 467-b(3) real property tax law, 467-c real property tax law, 467-c(3) real property tax law