Farah Louis Introduces
SCRIE, DRIE Expansion

Council Member Farah N. Louis Introduces Introduction 978 to Expand SCRIE and DRIE Eligibility, Protecting Seniors and New Yorkers with Disabilities from Displacement

NEW YORK, NY — Today, New York City Council Member Farah N. Louis introduced Introduction 978, landmark legislation to expand eligibility for the City's Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) and Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) programs by increasing the maximum qualifying household income to $75,000, ensuring that more older adults and New Yorkers with disabilities can remain safely housed despite rapidly rising rents. The legislation would take effect retroactively to July 1, 2026, and remain in effect through June 30, 2028.

SCRIE and DRIE are among New York City's most important housing stability programs, freezing rent increases for eligible seniors and persons with disabilities who live on fixed or limited incomes. However, the current income thresholds have failed to keep pace with the City's escalating cost of living, leaving thousands of vulnerable New Yorkers at risk of losing the homes and neighborhoods they have occupied for decades.

The state budget, which passed in late May, included provisions to increase the income thresholds for the SCRIE, DRIE, SCHE (Senior Citizen Homeowners’ Exemption), and DHE (Disabled Homeowners’ Exemption) programs to $75,000. These changes require local authorization to take effect and Introduction 978 would implement the increases in New York City.

The bill responds directly to New York City's worsening affordability crisis by modernizing eligibility standards for both programs. As housing costs continue to climb across every borough, expanding access to SCRIE and DRIE will provide critical relief to older adults and residents with disabilities while helping prevent unnecessary evictions, displacement, and homelessness. The legislation also supports landlords by continuing to reimburse rent exemptions through property tax abatements, strengthening both tenant stability and building sustainability.

"As New York City faces an unprecedented housing affordability crisis, we cannot allow our seniors and neighbors with disabilities to be priced out of the communities they helped build," said Council Member Farah N. Louis. "SCRIE and DRIE protect New Yorkers living on fixed incomes from impossible choices between paying rent, buying groceries, or purchasing life-saving medication. Introduction 978 recognizes today's economic reality by expanding eligibility so more vulnerable residents can remain safely housed. This legislation protects tenants, supports responsible landlords through tax reimbursements, reduces the risk of homelessness, and affirms that aging and disability should never become pathways to displacement. I urge my colleagues to join me in advancing this critical legislation and protecting the New Yorkers who need us most."

According to recent housing data, median monthly rents have reached historic highs, with Manhattan exceeding $5,000 per month and Brooklyn surpassing $4,300 per month, placing enormous financial pressure on residents living on fixed incomes. Meanwhile, demand for affordable senior housing continues to far outpace supply, with tens of thousands of applicants competing for only a small number of available units. Council Member Louis noted that expanding SCRIE and DRIE eligibility represents an immediate and practical strategy to help older adults and people with disabilities remain in their homes while preserving neighborhood stability.

Introduction 978 is co-prime sponsored by Council Members Gale A. Brewer, Susan Zhuang, Harvey Epstein, Amanda Farías, Christopher Marte, Crystal Hudson, and Kevin C. Riley.

Sen. Brian Kavanagh, Chair of the Senate Housing Committee said:

"I am thrilled to support Intro 978, to implement the expansion of SCRIE and DRIE that we fought so hard for at the State level. The law we enacted at the end of May authorizes localities to expand SCRIE and DRIE – as well as the homeowner programs, SCHE and DHE, beginning next year – to households making $75,000 a year, a 50% increase over the current limit of $50,000, and I am glad that the City Council is moving so quickly to adopt these changes in New York City. SCRIE and DRIE are proven, effective programs, and by raising the income eligibility, we are meaningfully expanding their reach and helping ensure that seniors and New Yorkers with disabilities can receive real relief and continue to live with the stability and dignity they deserve. I thank Assemblymember Deborah Glick, our colleagues in the State Legislature, and Governor Kathy Hochul for getting the State law enacted, Council Member Farah Louis for introducing this important City legislation, and all of my friends and colleagues in the City Council who have been staunch supporters of these programs for many years."

Council Member Gale A. Brewer said:

"Older adults and New Yorkers with disabilities deserve the opportunity to remain in their homes as they age. New York State recognized that the previous $50,000 income limit no longer reflected today's cost of living and expanded eligibility for SCRIE and DRIE to $75,000. This legislation brings the City's law in line with this change so more New Yorkers can benefit from these rent freeze programs. My office has long helped constituents apply for and renew SCRIE and DRIE, and we look forward to helping even more people receive this benefit and remain in the homes and neighborhoods they know best."

Council Member Susan Zhuang said:

"As Chair of the Committee on Aging, I believe older adults and New Yorkers with disabilities on fixed incomes should not have to choose between staying in their homes and keeping up with rising costs. Raising the SCRIE and DRIE income cap to $75,000 ensures more of our neighbors can access the protections they need to age in place with dignity. I am proud to support this legislation and thank Council Member Louis for her leadership."

Council Member Harvey Epstein said:

"New York City is in the midst of an affordability crisis, and our seniors and New Yorkers living with disabilities are among those feeling it most acutely. At the same time that the federal government is rolling back funding for programs that support seniors, health care, and other essential services, we have a responsibility to strengthen the protections that help people remain in their homes. The current income eligibility cap for SCRIE and DRIE no longer reflects the economic reality of living in New York City. Raising the threshold to $75,000 will ensure more older adults and people with disabilities can age in place with dignity, stay connected to their communities, and avoid being priced out by rising rents. As the cost of living continues to climb, our programs must keep pace so that the New Yorkers who built this city can continue to call it home."

Council Member Amanda Farías said:

"In communities like Parkchester and Lafayette Estates, I represent many older adults and New Yorkers with disabilities who have lived in their homes for decades and want to remain securely housed as their needs and expenses change. Many are retired city workers and longtime professionals who spent more than 20 years serving New York City or building their careers. A lifetime of hard work should not prevent them from receiving SCRIE or DRIE during their retirement years. Raising the SCRIE and DRIE income cap to $75,000 will bring these protections within reach for more New Yorkers and give them greater stability in the homes and communities where they have built their lives. I am proud to co-prime this legislation with Council Member Farah Louis and advance a necessary update to programs that help residents age in place and live independently."

Council Member Christopher Marte said:

"The affordability crisis is hitting older adults and New Yorkers with disabilities especially hard, and many of my constituents are feeling that pressure every single month. Too many people who have spent decades building their lives in our neighborhoods are now at risk of being priced out because the eligibility standards for SCRIE and DRIE have not kept pace with the reality of New York City’s housing market. Expanding these programs is a critical step toward helping people remain in their homes, age in place with dignity, and avoid unnecessary displacement. This legislation recognizes today’s economic reality and will make a meaningful difference for thousands of New Yorkers who simply want the chance to stay in the communities they call home."

Council Member Kevin C. Riley said:

"Across Council District 12, older adults have shared with my office the growing challenge of keeping up with rising housing costs while living on fixed incomes. As the representative of Co-op City, the nation's largest Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC), I understand just how critical programs like SCRIE and DRIE are to helping our seniors age in place with dignity. The State has already authorized New York City to expand these protections, and now it is our responsibility to act so more seniors and New Yorkers with disabilities can benefit. I am proud to co-prime this legislation alongside Council Member Farah Louis and my colleagues to ensure more New Yorkers can remain in the homes and communities they helped build. no one who has spent a lifetime building our city should be priced out of the community they call home. This bill will help more New Yorkers age in place with the stability and dignity they deserve."

Genesis Aquino, Executive Director of Tenants & Neighbors said:

"The State has acted to expand SCRIE and DRIE eligibility to $75,000, and now New York City must opt into these critical reforms so more seniors and tenants with disabilities can remain in their homes. We urge the City Council to move this legislation as quickly as possible and make the expansion retroactive to July 1 to ensure these long-overdue protections reach the New Yorkers who need them. As the city with the largest number of rent-regulated tenants and a growing senior population, New York cannot afford any delay in implementing these crucial protections."

The Mitchell-Lama Residents Coalition said:

"The Mitchell-Lama Residents Coalition, a grassroots organization representing rental and co-operative Mitchell-Lama developments statewide, urges the NY City Council to adopt the $75,000 income cap for SCRIE/DRIE and do so as soon as possible.  This change will alleviate increased burdens felt by Mitchell-Lama residents throughout the City and will keep our residents in their homes."

Adele Niederman of Cooperators United for Mitchell-Lama said:

"Cooperators United for Mitchell-Lama (CU4ML) represents the interests of the New Yorkers living in the 62,000 apartments in the 86 ML coops across New York City and State. The successful passage of the increased income cap for SCRIE and DRIE eligibility will provide financial relief for seniors and disabled people, especially in this time of dramatically increasing carrying charges and other expenses. We thank the city council for taking this up in a timely manner, and also urge that the legislation be made retroactive to July 1 in accordance with the state legislation."

Judith Goldiner, Attorney in Charge of the Civil Law Reform Unit at The Legal Aid Society said:

"Far too many older New Yorkers and people with disabilities are struggling to stay in the homes and communities they have called home for years because their incomes have not kept pace with the rising cost of living. This legislation will ensure that more seniors and New Yorkers with disabilities will be able to continue to afford their rent to remain safely and stably housed."

Introduction 978 was formally introduced at today's Stated Meeting of the New York City Council and has been referred for consideration by the Committee on Finance.

SOURCE: Office of City Council Member Farah N. Louis