What's happening
This bill lowers the rent-to-income threshold for senior citizens' rent increase exemptions from one-third to one-fourth of household income.
Why it matters
Lowers the financial burden for seniors renting in New York. By reducing the rent-to-income threshold from one-third to one-fourth, more low- and moderate-income senior households can qualify for rent increase exemptions, making it easier for them to manage housing costs on fixed incomes.
Expands eligibility for rent increase protections. Seniors who previously did not qualify for exemptions because their rent was less than one-third—but more than one-fourth—of their income will now become eligible, potentially helping thousands more elderly tenants remain in stable housing.
May increase municipal responsibility for tax abatements. Since the rent increase exemption is offset by property tax abatements to landlords, municipalities may see a higher number of applications and greater financial outlays, potentially impacting local budgets or requiring administrative adjustments.
Addresses housing insecurity among vulnerable populations. By making rent increase exemption easier to access, the bill helps prevent displacement, homelessness, or forced moves among elderly residents, supporting aging-in-place and community stability.
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Who cares
Senior tenants in rent-regulated housing
For households without a monthly shelter allowance, the bill would lower the rent-to-income threshold used to calculate rent increase exemptions from one-third to one-fourth of combined household income.
Landlords with tenants receiving rent increase exemptions
The bill would change the calculation of property tax abatements that offset exempted rent increases.
Municipal governments administering rent increase exemptions
The bill would require use of the one-fourth threshold in the affected exemption and tax abatement calculations.
Senior tenants reapplying after an exemption lapses
In cities with at least one million residents, the bill would apply the one-fourth threshold to the existing provision allowing certain returning recipients to preserve their prior exemption calculation.
Headline styles
Lower Rent Cap for Seniors
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
11 Co-sponsors
2 Multi-sponsors
History
- Referred to aging
- Referred to aging
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Lower Income Threshold for Seniors
In Senate Committee · Aging · Sponsor Toby Ann Stavisky
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1495
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 15, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. RICHARDSON, CARROLL, HYNDMAN, RIVERA, L. ROSEN- THAL, ORTIZ, COLTON, WALKER, BLAKE, NIOU, SEAWRIGHT, BARRON -- Multi- Sponsored by -- M. of A. JONES, SIMON -- read once and referred to the Committee on Aging
AN ACT to amend the real property tax law, in relation to the income level for the applicability of the senior citizens' rent increase exemption
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 2 and subparagraph 3 of paragraph d of subdivision 3 of section 467-b of the real property tax law, subdivision 2 as amended by chapter 747 of the laws of 1985, paragraph (c) of subdivision 2 as added and subparagraph 3 of paragraph d of subdivision 3 as amended by chapter 553 of the laws of 2015, and paragraph (d) of subdivision 2 as added by chapter 343 of the laws of 2016, are amended to read as follows:
2. The governing body of any municipal corporation is hereby authorized and empowered to adopt, after public hearing, in accordance with the provisions of this section, a local law, ordinance or resolution providing for the abatement of taxes of said municipal corporation imposed on real property containing a dwelling unit as defined herein by one of the following amounts:
(a) where the head of the household does not receive a monthly allowance for shelter pursuant to the social services law, an amount not in excess of that portion of any increase in maximum rent or legal regulated rent which causes such maximum rent or legal regulated rent to exceed [one-third] one-fourth of the combined income of all members of the household; or
(b) where the head of the household receives a monthly allowance for shelter pursuant to the social services law, an amount not in excess of that portion of any increase in maximum rent or legal regulated rent
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04449-01-9
A. 1495 2
which is not covered by the maximum allowance for shelter which such person is entitled to receive pursuant to the social services law.
(c) Provided, however, that in a city of a population of one million or more, where the head of household has been granted a rent increase exemption order that is in effect as of January first, two thousand fifteen or takes effect on or before July first, two thousand fifteen, the amount determined by paragraph (a) of this subdivision shall be an amount not in excess of the difference between the maximum rent or legal regulated rent and the amount specified in such order, as adjusted by any other provision of this section.
(d) (1) Provided, however, that in a city with a population of one million or more, a head of the household who has received a rent increase exemption order that has expired and who, upon renewal application for the period commencing immediately after such expiration, is determined to be ineligible for a rent increase exemption order because the combined income of all members of the household exceeds the maximum amount allowed by this section or the maximum rent or legal regulated rent does not exceed [one-third] one-fourth of the combined income of all members of the household, may submit a new application during the following calendar year, and if such head of the household receives a rent increase exemption order that commences during such calendar year, the tax abatement amount for such order shall be calculated as if such prior rent increase exemption order had not expired. However, no tax abatement benefits may be provided for the period of ineligibility.
(2) No head of the household may receive more than three rent increase exemption orders calculated as if a prior rent increase exemption order had not expired, as described in subparagraph one of this paragraph.
(3) where the head of the household does not receive a monthly allowance for shelter pursuant to the social services law, the amount by which the maximum rent or legal regulated rent of the subsequent dwelling unit exceeds [one-third] one-fourth of the combined income of all members of the household, except that this subparagraph shall not apply to a head of the household who has been granted a rent increase exemption order that is in effect as of January first, two thousand fifteen or takes effect on or before July first, two thousand fifteen.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately; provided 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 and shall expire therewith.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.