New York, NY – The New York City Department of Finance today released its 2022 Annual Report on the New York City Rent Freeze Program and announced expanded outreach efforts to enroll more eligible seniors and New Yorkers with disabilities in the Rent Freeze Program, which protects eligible tenants living in affordable housing from future rent increases. Beginning in November, DOF’s Outreach Unit will hold walk-in enrollment hours weekly at DOF’s five Business Centers located in each borough in addition to continuing its regular enrollment services. New Yorkers can also schedule an appointment here to visit a Department of Finance Assistance Center. Virtual appointments will also be made available.
“The SCRIE and DRIE programs are critical tools that ensure seniors and New Yorkers with disabilities can continue to afford their rent,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “Through these expanded outreach efforts, we aim to spread awareness of the program to enroll more eligible participants, and ensure our city remains affordable and accessible for our most vulnerable New Yorkers.”
“Ensuring that the most vulnerable New Yorkers are not forgotten is crucial to the economic success and long-term recovery of our City. While the 2022 Report on the New York City Rent Freeze Program shows that tens of thousands of seniors and New Yorkers with disabilities continue to depend on this important benefit to prevent their rent from going up, save money, and stay in their homes, it also revealed the first decline in enrollments in recent years in 2020,” said Department of Finance Commissioner Preston Niblack. “This reflects the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had a particular impact on the vulnerable population the Rent Freeze Program is designed to serve and underscores our need to expand outreach efforts and provide more opportunities for eligible New Yorkers to enroll and renew in Rent Freeze benefits. That is why DOF is dedicating more staff and holding open enrollment events at each of our five Business Centers in addition to maintaining regular enrollment services. We will continue to work to strengthen the Rent Freeze Program and reach more New Yorkers who would benefit from the assurance that their rent will stay affordable.”
Starting in November, DOF staff will be at each of the DOF Business Centers weekly to assist with enrolling or renewing rent freeze benefits. See the chart below for exact locations, dates, and times:
Rent Freeze program eligibility requirements can be found below:
SCRIE Eligibility:
- Age: 62 or older.
- Combined household income: $50,000 or less.
- More than one-third of the monthly household income must be spent on rent.
- In addition to residing in an eligible unit, the applicant must be named on the rent order or have succession rights.
Residence in an apartment that is rent-regulated or subject to the Private Housing Finance Law.
DRIE Eligibility:
- Age: 18 or older.
- Combined household income: $50,000 or less.
- More than one-third of the monthly household income must be spent on rent.
- In addition to residing in an eligible unit, the applicant must be named on the rent order or have succession rights.
- The applicant must have been awarded Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability Insurance, disability-related Medicaid, or a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or United States Postal Service disability pension or disability compensation.
- Residence in an apartment that is rent-regulated or subject to the Private Housing Finance Law.
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