DRIE

The Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) program became available in NYS through an amendment of the Senior Citizen Increase Exemption (SCRIE) law. DRIE provides an exemption from future rent increases to low income eligible renters with disabilities.

Municipalities throughout NYS have the choice to implement the program or not. In October 2005, the New York City Council approved the DRIE program and made it available to eligible New York City residents.

DRIE is funded by New York City through a loss of tax revenue. NYC provides landlords a dollar-for-dollar property tax abatement credit (TAC) that makes up the difference between the amount of rent paid by the DRIE participant and the legal rental amount.

In New York City, the Department of Finance (DOF) administers the DRIE program. The DOF authorizes the TAC’s and transfers the credit to the building owner’s property tax account.

The DRIE program enables low income people with disabilities who live in eligible housing to receive an exemption from paying certain increases in their rent. The building owner receives a dollar-for-dollar tax abatement credit to his/her property tax obligations to compensate the owner for rent increases the tenant will not be paying.

In order to be eligible, an applicant must be the lease holder or tenant of record, be in receipt of a disability-related government benefit, pay a rent amount that is at least one-third of the household disposable aggregate income, live in an eligible apartment, and meet DRIE income requirements. All DRIE applicants must apply through the NYC Department of Finance. DRIE participants must recertify every two years or at the time of their lease renewal.