HELEN ROSENTHAL

Council Member, District 6

Manhattan

DISTRICT OFFICE
563 COLUMBUS AVENUE, AT 87
TH
STREET
NEW YORK, NY 10024
(212) 873-0282

CITY HALL OFFICE
250 BROADWAY, ROOM 1744
NEW YORK, NY 10007
(212) 788-6975

www.council.nyc.gov

THE COUNCIL
OF
THE CITY OF NEW YORK

CHAIR
Contracts

COMMITTEES
Finance
Housing and Buildings
Cultural Affairs
Community Development
Oversight and Investigations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 15, 2014

Contact:
Jennifer Blatus (CM Cohen): 718.549.7300 // 914.755.1954
Stephanie Buhle (CM Rosenthal): sbuhle@council.nyc.gov, 212.873.0282 x.205


Council Member Andrew Cohen and Council Member Helen Rosenthal
Introduce a Resolution Calling on NYS to Eliminate Sunset Provisions
for SCRIE and DRIE Programs


Council Member Andrew Cohen and Council Member Helen Rosenthal introduced a
resolution last week calling on the State to eliminate the sunset provisions included in the
recent income threshold increases for the Senior Citizens Rent Increase Exemption
program (SCRIE) and the Disability Rent Increase Exemption program (DRIE).

The repeal of the income threshold increases, currently scheduled for July 2016, would
cause thousands of households in New York City to lose their SCRIE and DRIE benefits,
threatening their ability to remain in their homes while paying affordable rents.

Many New Yorkers rely on these assistance programs to have stability within their
household. The elimination of these sunset provisions would take away that stability for
many of our vulnerable residents. As members of the New York City Council we must
remain focused on maintaining affordable living for senior citizens and disabled residents
who are living on fixed incomes. This resolution is targeted towards eliminating the
sunset provision in order to prevent middle class tenants from falling through the
cracks. I urge the Governor and the State Legislature to uphold this vital piece of
legislation. said Council Member Andrew Cohen.

"The raised income cap for SCRIE and DRIE is a fundamental component of preserving
affordable housing," said Council Member Helen Rosenthal. "Thousands of additional
seniors and people with disabilities can stay in their homes -- until the scheduled end of
the exemption in two years. However the cost of living continues to rise, especially for
those who have limited incomes and high medical costs. We must eliminate the sunset
provision and keep seniors and people with disabilities in their homes for good."

The New York State 2014-2015 Executive Budget contained an authorization for
localities in the State to adopt a local law to increase the maximum income level
qualifying residents for SCRIE from $29,000 to $50,000 for a period of two years
beginning July 1, 2014.

The state legislature and the Governor also authorized an increase for DRIE income
threshold from $20,412 for a single-person household or $29,484 for households
comprised of two or more people to $50,000 for all households.

Seniors are eligible for the SCRIE program if they are at least 62 years old, have a total
household income that does not exceed a maximum amount authorized by State law,
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
their monthly income on rent.

Under DRIE, individuals that receive State or federal disability related assistance are
eligible for exemption from future rent increases if they have a total household income
that does not exceed a maximum amount authorized by State law, 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 their monthly income on
rent.

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