Council Member Sandra Ung, who represents Flushing and surrounding areas, has announced a new initiative aimed at assisting senior citizens and disabled residents with their financial concerns.
Starting Apr. 30, representatives from the Department of Finance will be available at her district office, located at 136-21 Latimer Pl., Suite 1D, on the fourth Tuesday of every month. These representatives will assist with submitting applications and provide updates on rent freeze programs and property tax exemptions. District residents are also encouraged to visit the office for any inquiries related to the Department of Finance.
Ung urges her constituents to take advantage of the unique partnership to get assistance with the application processes in relation to the programs. “For many New Yorkers, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find affordable housing that fits their budget. But for senior citizens and members of the disabled community, who often live on fixed incomes, even the slightest increase in their rent or property taxes can pose an insurmountable challenge,” Ung said.
The consultations are free, but Ung advises residents to make an appointment in advance by calling her office at (718) 888-8747 or emailing district20@council.nyc.gov.
The Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) and the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) assists eligible senior citizens and disabled tenants by freezing their current rent rates and exempting them from any future rent increases. The Senior Citizen Homeowners’ Exemption (SCHE) and Disabled Homeowners’ Exemption (DHE) tax breaks are available to eligible homeowners under a certain income.
