Skip to main content
Cash & Expenses

Rent freeze for seniors

Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) | NYC Department of Finance (DOF), NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD)

1. How it Works

SCRIE helps eligible senior citizens 62 and older stay in affordable housing by freezing their rent. Tenants can keep paying what they were paying even if their landlord increases the rent. The landlord gets a property tax credit that covers the difference between the new and original rent amount.

  • Only senior citizens who live in certain rentals or developments can qualify for SCRIE.
  • Renew on time to keep paying the same amount of rent in the future as you do now.
  • You are not required to file taxes to qualify for SCRIE.
  • You do not need your landlord’s permission to apply.
  • The NYC Rent Freeze program also includes the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) for people with disabilities.

More ways to get help with this program

Learn more online

Visit the NYC Rent Freeze Program website to learn more.

If you live in an HPD development, visit HPD’s website to learn more about HPD-supervised SCRIE.

Contact SCRIE

Ask for help from the Department of Finance.

Email HPD

For questions about HPD-supervised SCRIE, email SCRIE@hpd.nyc.gov

Call 311

Ask about SCRIE.

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.

Get help with the application

Call 929-252-7242 to get one-on-one help with applying for DHE from an NYC Public Engagement Unit Specialist.

Last Updated February 18, 2025