Res. No. 143
Title
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass Assembly Bill 4227 and its companion Senate Bill 2334 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.
Body
By Council Members Nelson, Weprin, Addabbo, Comrie, Gennaro, Koppell, Reed, Rodriguez, Liu and Golden
Whereas, The Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) program exists pursuant to State enabling legislation codified at Sections 467-a and 467-b of the Real Property Tax Law; and
Whereas, The SCRIE program provides income eligible seniors, 62 years of age and over, who live in rent-controlled and rent-stabilized apartments, and whose rent comprises more than one-third of their income, with orders exempting them from future rent increases; and
Whereas, Currently, a senior's total annual household income must not exceed $20,000 to qualify for SCRIE; and
Whereas, According to the New York State Assembly, there are currently only 55,000 individuals receiving benefits through the SCRIE program; and
Whereas, The last legislation the Council enacted, pursuant to State enabling legislation, to increase the maximum income eligibility from $16,500 to $20,000 was Local Law 1 of the year 1996; and
Whereas, Subsequently, senior incomes have remained stagnant, and due to the increases in cost of living expenses and inflation, this has resulted in seniors having less money to live on; and
Whereas, Additionally, since that time, rents have increased exceeding the rate of inflation due to rent guideline increases and out of guideline increases for major capital improvements, further diminishing the purchasing power of senior households; and
Whereas, Other senior citizen tax exemption programs provide for deduction of non-reimbursed medical expenses from the definition of income in determination of eligibility, however, the SCRIE program does not allow such expenses to be deducted from income; and
Whereas, Assembly Bill 4227 and Senate Bill 2334 will enable New York City to increase the maximum income eligibility for SCRIE from $20,000 to $25,000, entitling more seniors to qualify for SCRIE and allowing them to remain in their homes and communities; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass Assembly Bill 4227 and its companion Senate Bill 2334 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.
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