Res. No. 282-A

Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S. 4748 and A. 5565A, legislation increasing the income threshold for the senior citizen homeowners’ exemption program.

By Council Members Rosenthal, Vacca, Arroyo, Chin, Cohen, Constantinides, Dickens, Eugene, Ferreras, Gentile, Johnson, Mendez, Reynoso, Rodriguez, Rose, Vallone, Dromm, Koslowitz, Wills, Kallos, Lander and Van Bramer

                     Whereas, New York State law authorizes the City of New York to provide certain senior citizens and persons with disabilities property tax and rent increase exemption benefits that help them remain in affordable housing; and 

                     Whereas, In 1970, New York City instituted the senior citizen rent increase exemption (SCRIE) program to shield low-income seniors from rising housing costs by offering landlords a property tax abatement in exchange for freezing the rent of eligible senior tenants; and

                     Whereas, Tenants are eligible for the SCRIE program if they are at least 62 years old, have a total household income that does not exceed a maximum amount authorized by State law, reside in a rent controlled or rent stabilized apartment, rent regulated hotel, or an apartment owned by a Mitchell-Lama development, and spend more than one-third of their monthly income on rent; and

                     Whereas, Under the senior citizen homeowners’ exemption (SCHE) program, those age 65 and over are eligible for a property tax exemption if the combined income of all owners of the property and their spouses does not exceed $37,399 and the applicant maintains the property as their primary residence; and

                     Whereas, New York State’s 2014-2015 Executive Budget contained an authorization for localities in the State to adopt a local law to increase the maximum income level qualifying for SCRIE from $29,000 to $50,000 for a period of two years beginning July 1, 2014; and

                     Whereas, In May 2014, the Council adopted legislation implementing the income threshold increase for SCRIE; and

                     Whereas, The State Budget did not provide authorization for increases to the income limits for the SCHE program; and

                     Whereas, Even minor cost-of-living adjustments to entitlement programs such as Social Security and disability assistance can cause senior citizen homeowners to lose their SCHE benefit; and

                     Whereas, SCHE recipients are no less deserving of regular adjustments to income requirements of such programs than those receiving SCRIE benefits; and

                     Whereas, in February 2015, New York State Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh introduced A. 5565A, and in April 2015, New York State Senator Diane Savino introduced S. 4748, legislation that would amend the provision related for the SCHE income threshold increases; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign S. 4748 and A. 5565A, legislation increasing the income threshold for the senior citizen homeowners’ exemption program.

KET/KGW

5/15/15

LS 1676 & 1851-A/2014