Increases allowable maximum income of persons occupying rental units otherwise eligible for tax abatement in certain cases

BILL NUMBER:S439A

Title of bill

An act to amend the real property tax law, in relation to increasing the allowable maximum income of persons occupying rental units otherwise eligible for tax abatement in certain cases

Purpose

To allow localities to raise the income eligibility limits for the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) program to any amount up to $50,000.

Summary of provisions

Section 1. Amends the real property tax law, section 467-b (3). Increases the combined household income limits that the local governing body may authorize from twenty-nine thousand dollars up to fifty thousand dollars for the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption assistance program (SCRIE).

Section 2. Amends the real property tax law, section 467-c (1) (d). Increases the income limits for an eligible head of household and such head of household's spouse that the local governing body may authorize from twenty-nine thousand dollars up to fifty thousand dollars for the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption assistance program (SCRIE).

Section 3. Effective Date

Existing law

The current income eligibility limit for SCRIE is $29,000.

Justification

The Senior Citizens Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) provides a vital service by allowing senior residents of New York to remain in their homes and communities by keeping their rent affordable. To be eligible for SCRIE one must be 62 years of age or older, the head of a household, live in a rent controlled or rent stabilized apartment or rent regulated hotel unit and their household income may not exceed $29,000. Monthly rent must also exceed one third of monthly household income.

The cost of living in New York City makes it difficult for many seniors to make ends meet. Not only low income, but also middle income seniors feel the burden of the escalating costs in rent. This bill would authorize the locality to increase the income eligibility level to any amount up to $50,000 and can therefore provide not only financial relief to a growing number of seniors but will also allow them to remain in their current residences.

This bill is not a local mandate. Localities can determine the amount of the increase, if any.

Legislative history

2013: S.439 - Referred to Aging/A.2043 - Referred to Aging

2011-12: S.124A - Amended and Recommitted to Housing, Construction and Community Development/A.6206A - Amended and Recommitted to Aging 2009-10: S.4870A - Reported and Committed to Finance/A.516A - Amended and Recommitted to Aging

Fiscal implications

None for the State and none mandated for local governments. Fiscal implications at local level, if any will be determined by localities.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately, provided, however, that the amendments to section 467-b of the real property tax law made by section one of this act shall not affect the expiration of such section pursuant to chapter 576 of the laws of 1974, as amended, and shall be deemed to expire therewith.