The New York City Council has approved legislation to raise the household income limit for senior and disability rent-freeze programs from $50,000 to $75,000.
Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz welcomed Thursday's vote in a statement Friday, saying the state Legislature had authorized the higher ceiling in this year's budget but New York City needed Council approval to adopt it.
The Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption and Disability Rent Increase Exemption programs, known as SCRIE and DRIE, protect qualifying tenants from future rent increases. Dinowitz said the higher ceiling would help more residents stay in their homes as living costs rise, and encouraged constituents to apply.
Bill awaits mayoral action
The Council's legislative record listed Introduction 978-B at the mayor's desk for signature on Friday.
Sponsored by Council Member Farah Louis, the bill would make the increase retroactive to July 1, 2026, and align the programs' definition of income with state law. Its expiration would track the underlying state authorization.
Other eligibility rules still apply
The city's posted eligibility guidance says SCRIE applicants must be at least 62 and DRIE applicants at least 18 with qualifying disability benefits. Applicants must live in eligible housing, be named on the lease or rental agreement and generally spend more than one-third of household income on rent.
Ordinary non-rent-regulated apartments, sublets, public housing run by the New York City Housing Authority and units paid for partly or fully by Section 8 vouchers are outside the program's listed eligibility.
The city's guidance still listed the older $50,000 ceiling on Friday. Tenants can check the Rent Freeze Program's application instructions or call 311 for help with eligibility and application timing.
File photo of the New York State Capitol.
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