In an effort to close the enrollment gap in the city's Rent Freeze program, which helps older New Yorkers and those with disabilities to stay in their homes, the mayor’s Public Engagement Unit (PEU) will send out officials to canvass residents in Canarsie on Thursday.
Thousands of New Yorkers are currently leaving state affordable housing dollars on the table, the PEU said in a release. The city estimates that 63,000 New Yorkers are eligible for programs, but are not yet enrolled. Canarsie currently has the highest number of eligible residents not enrolled in services.
Qualifying applicants in rent-stabilized or rent-controlled units can receive either the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE), which supports eligible older New Yorkers over age 62, or the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE), which helps those with disabilities. These exemptions enable recipients to freeze their rent with the city offsetting rent increases by applying a tax credit to the building owner’s property taxes. If a New Yorker enters the program now and continues to renew their benefit, the amount they pay for rent today will be the same for years to come.
“The Rent Freeze Program provides a crucial lifeline for eligible seniors and New Yorkers with disabilities, helping them stay in their homes by freezing the dollar amount of their monthly rent,” said Robin Lee, the taxpayer advocate from the Department of Finance. “At the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate, we are committed to assisting New Yorkers with their unresolved tax issues, and work to ensure that the Rent Freeze Program remains a fair and reliable resource for qualifying New Yorkers. We encourage all eligible New Yorkers to enroll in this incredible benefit.”
The most recent Rent Freeze report from the Department of Finance revealed that in 2020, only 71,665 income-eligible older New Yorkers and New Yorkers with disabilities froze their rent, representing a 5.1 percent decrease in Rent Freeze recipients from the previous year, despite the fact that an estimated 135,000 households were eligible.
“The Public Engagement Unit is focused on using modern technology and campaign tactics to reach New York’s hardest-to-reach communities and provide them in-person care and support in completing their Rent Freeze application,” said Adrienne Lever, Executive Director of the Public Engagement Unit. “In the face of rising costs and economic challenges, this program stands as a testament to the enduring promise that every individual deserves a stable place to call home.”
New Yorkers can call the Public Engagement Unit Rent Freeze Hotline at 929-252-7242 to speak with a Rent Freeze Specialists who can provide free, one-on-one application support. Renters can also check the Public Engagement Unit's website to see if they are eligible for the Rent Freeze Program and learn more. The Department of Finance, which administers the Rent Freeze Program, also offers the Tenant Access Portal (NYC TAP) as a convenient way for tenants and their representatives to manage and access information about Rent Freeze benefits online. First-time applicants only can use NYC TAP to apply for the Rent Freeze Program online.
