1. How it Works
SCRIE helps eligible senior citizens ages 62 and over stay in affordable housing by freezing their rent. Tenants pay the frozen rent. A property tax credit covers the difference between the actual rent amount and the frozen rent.
- You can keep paying the same amount of rent in the future as you do now if you apply for SCRIE and renew on time.
- Senior citizens who live in certain rentals or developments can qualify for SCRIE.
- You can qualify for SCRIE even if you have not filed your taxes.
- You do not need your landlord’s permission to apply.
- Once you apply, it takes around 10-15 days to hear back.
- The NYC Rent Freeze program also includes the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE).
Next section:
More ways to get help with this program
Visit the websites
Visit the NYC Rent Freeze Program website to learn more.
Review the frequently asked questions for the Rent Freeze Program during COVID-19.
If you live in an HPD development, visit HPD’s website to learn more about HPD-supervised SCRIE.
Contact SCRIE
Request assistance from the Department of Finance.
Email HPD
For questions about HPD-supervised SCRIE, email SCRIE@hpd.nyc.gov
Call 311
Ask for a SCRIE specialist.
Call SCRIE using TTY
Call 212-639-9675 if you have a hard time hearing.
Call HPD
Call 212-863-8494 if you have questions about HPD-supervised SCRIE.
2. Determine your eligibility
To be eligible for SCRIE, you should be able to answer “yes” to all of these questions:
- Are you 62 or older?
- Is your name on the lease?
- Is your combined household income $50,000 or less in a year?
- Do you spend more than one-third of your monthly income on rent?
- Do you live in NYC in one of these types of housing?
- a rent stabilized apartment
- a rent controlled apartment
- a rent regulated hotel or single room occupancy unit
- a Mitchell-Lama development
- a Limited Dividend Housing Company development
- a Redevelopment Company development
- a Housing Development Fund Company development
Take a short survey to see if you might be eligible for this or 30 other programs.
Am I Eligible?Next section:
3. How to apply
Here are your options.
Apply online
Apply online
If you are applying for SCRIE for the first time, you can apply online.
Apply during a virtual appointment
- You can get help applying to SCRIE by scheduling a virtual appointment. When scheduling:Under “Select Service”, choose Renter and Homeowner Exemption Programs. Then, choose “Rent Freeze (SCRIE or DRIE) Initial application.
- Under “Select Location”, choose “Exemptions Virtual Appointments.”
- Choose a date and time. Then, fill out your contact information to create your appointment.
Apply by mail
- Print an initial application and fill it out. You can also pick one up from the SCRIE Assistance Center or call 311 to request an application be mailed to you.
- Mail your completed and signed application along with supporting documents to:
Rent Freeze Program – SCRIE
P.O. Box 3179
Union, NJ 07083
If you live in a Mitchell-Lama or Redevelopment Company development housing:
- Download the HPD SCRIE application and mail it to:
HPD SCRIE Unit
100 Gold Street, 7th floor
New York, New York, 10038 - You can also email your completed application to SCRIE@hpd.nyc.gov.
Apply in person
Find a Department of Finance Assistance Center near you to apply. You may need to schedule an appointment to visit a center.
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