BILL NUMBER: S6533
SPONSOR: STAVISKY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the real property tax law, in relation to tax abatement
for rent-controlled and rent regulated property occupied by and real
property owned by senior citizens or persons with disabilities
 
PURPOSE:
To allow localities to raise the income eligibility limits for the
Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) and Disabled Rent
Increase Exemption (DRIB) program to $55,000 beginning on July 1, 2025.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Paragraphs a and b of subdivision 3 of section 467-b of the
real property tax law, paragraph a, as amended by section 1 of part U of
chapter 55 of the laws of 2014, and paragraph b, as amended by chapter
129 of the laws of 2014, are amended to allow an income of fifty-five
thousand dollars beginning July 1, 2025, and still be eligible for SCRIE
and DRIB.
Section 2. Subparagraph (i) of paragraph (a) of subdivision 3 of section
467 of the real property tax, as amended by section 2 of part K of chap-
ter 59 of the laws of 2023, is amended to allow an income of fifty-five
thousand dollars beginning July 1, 2025, and still be eligible for SCRIE
and DRIB.
Section 3. Subparagraph (i) of paragraph (a) of subdivision 5 of section
459-c of the real property tax law, as amended by section 8 of part K of
chapter 59 of the laws of 2023 is amended to allow an income of fifty-
five thousand dollars beginning July 1, 2025, and still be eligible for
SCRIE and DRIB.
Section 4. Establishes the effective date
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption is a program that can freeze
the rent for senior citizens living in rent-stabilized, rent-controlled,
Mitchell-Lama and Redevelopment Company buildings (both tenants and
co-op shareholders are eligible), Housing Development Fund Corporation
co-ops, and federally assisted co-ops. The Disability Rent Increase
Exemption offers the same benefits for those who are disabled. The
current income eligibility limit for SCRIE and DRIB is $50,000. These
programs provide a vital service by allowing eligible senior and disa-
bled residents to remain in their homes and communities by keeping their
rents affordable. SCRIE and DRIB freeze rents for low-income seniors and
people with disabilities living in rent-regulated housing who pay one
third or more of their income in rent.
These programs are not adjusted for cost-of-living increases or
inflation. Increases in the cost of living and the continued stagnation
of wages make it difficult for many seniors and persons with disabili-
ties to make ends meet, regardless of whether they rent or own their
homes. Both low-and middle-income residents are subject to the burden of
escalating costs. Senior citizens and those with disabilities often rely
on a fixed income and homeowners typically have their primary wealth
invested in their property. Also, elderly and disabled residents are
often burdened with higher than average healthcare costs. The cost of
living in New York City in particular makes it difficult for persons
with low incomes to make ends meet. By exempting low-income seniors and
disabled persons from rent increases, this bill will help prevent some
of New York's most vulnerable residents from being forced to give up
their homes.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023/2024: S1819- PASSED SENATE - Referred to Aging
2022: S4216A - AMEND & RECOMMIT TO AGING
2021: S4216 - PASSED SENATE - Referred to Aging
2019/2020: A7843- S3914 - REFERRED TO AGING
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the State.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately, provided that the amendments to
paragraphs a and b of subdivision 3 of section 467-b of the real proper-
ty tax law made by section one of this act shall not affect the expira-
tion of such paragraphs and shall be deemed to expire therewith.

Statutes affected:
S6533: 467 real property tax law, 467(3) real property tax law, 459-c real property tax law, 459-c(5) real property tax law