File #: Int 1032-2024    Version: * Name: Establishing a universal application and recertification system for the senior citizen rent increase exemption program and disability rent increase exemption program.
Type: Introduction Status: Committee
Committee: Committee on Housing and Buildings
On agenda: 9/12/2024
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to establishing a universal application and recertification system for the senior citizen rent increase exemption program and disability rent increase exemption program.
Sponsors: Christopher Marte, Lynn C. Schulman, Yusef Salaam, Eric Dinowitz, Gale A. Brewer, Carmen N. De La Rosa, Shekar Krishnan, Chi A. Ossé, Lincoln Restler, Tiffany Cabán, Shahana K. Hanif, Sandra Ung, Erik D. Bottcher, Amanda Farías, Mercedes Narcisse, Justin L. Brannan
Council Member Sponsors: 16
Summary: This bill would require the creation of a universal initial application and universal recertification application for the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) program and Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) program, to be administered jointly by the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), by December 31, 2025. Additionally, the bill would require the implementation of an online application website for SCRIE and DRIE benefits, as well as the institution of an online recertification process for SCRIE and DRIE benefits, by December 31, 2025.
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 1032, 2. Int. No. 1032, 3. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 9-12-24, 4. September 12, 2024 - Stated Meeting Agenda

Int. No. 1032

 

By Council Members Marte, Schulman, Salaam, Dinowitz, Brewer, De La Rosa, Krishnan, Ossé, Restler, Cabán, Hanif, Ung, Bottcher, Farías, Narcisse and Brannan

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to establishing a universal application and recertification system for the senior citizen rent increase exemption program and disability rent increase exemption program.

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Chapter 7 of title 26 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 26-606.2 to read as follows:

§ 26-606.2 Universal application and recertification for senior citizen rent increase exemption program and disability rent increase exemption program. a. Definitions. As used in this section, the term “universal online and paper application and recertification system” means an application and recertification system for the senior citizen rent increase exemption program and the disability rent increase exemption program which meets the following criteria:

1. such system has an identical interface and accessibility requirements for all eligible users;

2. the means for such system are identical for all users regardless of where their current data exists and regardless of which entity is responsible for processing such data;

3.  such system has the ability to route applications and recertification applications to the necessary entities; and

4. in the case of electronic applications and electronic recertification applications, all subsequent communications are held through the same such system in a standardized manner.

b. Universal application and recertification. By December 31, 2025, the commissioner of finance and the commissioner of housing preservation and development, in collaboration with relevant agencies, shall establish and maintain a universal online and paper application and recertification system for the senior citizen rent increase exemption program and disability rent increase exemption program in accordance with this local law.

c. Universal online application and recertification system website. By December 31, 2025, the commissioner of finance and the commissioner of housing preservation and development, in collaboration with relevant agencies, shall establish and maintain a website that permits the public to assess their potential eligibility for the senior citizen rent increase exemption program and disability rent increase exemption program. Such website shall provide:

1. a means to access an application or otherwise receive either such exemption for which an individual or household may be eligible; and

2. a means to apply for recertification of either such exemption for which an individual of household may be eligible.

c. The system required by subdivision b of this section may be incorporated into an existing website or application, such as the tenant access portal or a successor website or application, established for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of either such exemption.

d. The commissioner of finance and the commissioner of housing preservation and development, in collaboration with relevant agencies, shall undertake efforts to increase public awareness of the universal application and recertification system required by subdivision b of this section. Such efforts shall include, but not be limited to, including a link to the universal online application and recertification system required by subdivision b of this section on any city website relating to public assistance programs or the New York city rent freeze program.

e. Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude the acceptance of annual income affidavits, initial applications, or recertification and renewal applications for the senior citizen rent increase exemption program or disability rent increase exemption program prepared on a paper form.

§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.

CP

LS #15802

8/13/2024 2:36 PM