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
Makes it easier for more seniors to qualify for rent increase exemptions. , as rent would now need to exceed just 25% (instead of 33%) of household income before seniors can get protection, potentially helping those with lower incomes or higher rents.
Could provide greater housing stability and affordability for seniors. , reducing the risk of displacement or housing insecurity, especially in high-rent areas where seniors are often on fixed incomes.
May affect municipal budgets and tax revenues. , as a broader exemption could mean more property tax abatements for landlords with qualifying senior tenants, potentially shifting some costs to city governments.
Signals a policy shift toward prioritizing senior housing affordability. , reflecting legislative recognition of growing financial pressures on elderly residents and responding to concerns about cost-burdened older renters.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Lower Income Threshold for Seniors
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
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 Rent Cap for Seniors
In Assembly Committee · Aging · Sponsor Diana Richardson
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2944
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 31, 2019
Introduced by Sen. STAVISKY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed 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 which is not covered by the maximum allowance for shelter which such person is entitled to receive pursuant to the social services law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04449-01-9
S. 2944 2
(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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
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
Purpose or general idea of bill
Reduces from one-third to one-fourth of income the applicability of the senior citizen's rent increase exemption.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1. Subdivision 2 and subparagraph 3 of paragraph d of subdivi- sion 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 are amended.
One of the criteria that must be met in order to be eligible for the senior citizen's rent increase exemption(SCRIE) deals with household income. At least one-third of a senior's income must be used for rent in order to be eligible for SCRIE. This criteria would be lowered to include seniors who pay at least one-fourth of their income for rent.
Justification
SCRIE was established in 1979 to allow senior citizens an exemption from rent increases if specific criteria are met. They must reside in rent controlled, rent stabilized or Mitchell-Lama housing, be at least 62 years of age, have household incomes of no more than $50,000 (as of July 1, 2014 per NYC DHCR fact sheet 21)and pay at least one-third of their income for rent.
The problem lies in the requirement that one-third of household income be used for rent. Many seniors do not meet that requirement and are subject to high rents and rent increases. This bill will lower the requirement to one-fourth and allow more seniors to become eligible for SCRIE.
Prior legislative history
This legislation was previously introduced.
Fiscal implication for state and local governments
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately; provided that the amendments made to section 467-b of the real property tax law made by section one of this act shall not affect the expiration of and shall expire there- with.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.