Governor Hochul’s proposal to raise the income eligibility threshold for New York City’s rent freeze programs to $75,000 is a critical and long-overdue victory for seniors and people with disabilities struggling to remain in their homes. This change will expand access to the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) and the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE), helping more New Yorkers avoid displacement in an increasingly unaffordable housing market.

Nearly 1.5 million older adults live in New York City, and for many, economic insecurity is a daily reality. Almost three in five residents over age 70 lack stable retirement income, and a similar share of older renters are rent-burdened—making rising housing and food costs a direct threat to their health, safety, and independence.

For more than a decade, the income cap for SCRIE and DRIE remained stagnant at $50,000, even as rents and living expenses soared. Updating the threshold to $75,000 reflects the true cost of living in New York City. It will allow thousands more seniors and people with disabilities to age in place with dignity and stability.

“Rent freeze programs are too often the only thing standing between New York City’s most vulnerable residents – seniors and people with disabilities – and homelessness or institutionalization,” said Assembly Member Rebecca A. Seawright, Chair of the Assembly Aging Committee. “With nearly 1.5 million older adults in our city, many without stable retirement income or affordable housing, expanding SCRIE and DRIE is essential. I will continue fighting to ensure older adults and people with disabilities can remain safely housed and aging-in-place.”

In addition to the rent freeze proposal, Governor Hochul’s State of the State includes a bold, comprehensive agenda to support older New Yorkers. Expanded investments in Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs), additional funding to reduce waitlists for non-medical in-home services, and the launch of the CAPABLE program will provide seniors with essential services – from meals and transportation to nursing, occupational therapy, and home modifications – helping them age safely and with dignity in their own homes. The Governor is also improving access to hospice and palliative care, strengthening protections against elder abuse, scams, and fraud, and creating a multi-agency initiative to help older New Yorkers navigate benefits more easily.

“I commend Governor Hochul for advancing a full agenda to support older New Yorkers, from preventive home care to protections against abuse and fraud. Together, these initiatives will help our seniors live safely, independently, and with dignity in the city they helped build.”