Tanya Hobson-Williams Urges NYC Council to Impose Rent Freeze

FLORAL PARK, NY — Attorney Tanya Hobson-Williams of Hobson-Williams, P.C. is asking the New York City Council to pass a bill that would raise the income threshold for senior citizen tenants living in rent-regulated apartments. She says that, under this bill, more seniors would be protected from rent hikes and be able to stay where they are currently living.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
John Zaher (631) 207-1057 ext. 8
Hank Russell (631) 207-1057 ext. 4
PRMG New York

Thursday, April 24, 2014

On April 10, City Councilwoman Margaret Chin introduced a bill that would update the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) Program. Currently, seniors over the age of 62 with an annual income of less than $29,000 who use one-third of their income to pay rent are eligible for a rent freeze. Under Councilwoman Chin’s legislation, the income cap would almost double to $50,000 a year.

According to Councilwoman Chin’s office, the proposed bill would grant rent freezes to an additional 24,000 seniors in the city. Although the income threshold has been raised only twice in the past 10 years, it has never kept up with the cost of living, her office said. Last year, the New York City Rent Guidelines Board announced a 4% rent hike on those residing in rent-regulated apartments.

“This bill would allow more senior citizens to stay in their apartments and not be kicked out because they cannot afford to pay the rent,” Ms. Hobson-Williams said. “The SCRIE Program would prevent landlords from forcing out senior tenants just so they can make more money on the property. I urge the City Council to approve Councilwoman Chin’s bill and Mayor de Blasio to sign it into law.”

For more information, call 1 (866) 825-1529 or visit www.thobsonwilliamslaw.com.

Author: Tanya Hobson-Williams

Appointed to the bench by the Board of Trustees in 2008, and elected in 2009, Tanya Hobson-Williams was the first African-American Female Justice in the Incorporated Village of Hempstead. Tanya Hobson–Williams obtained her B.A. in Government and Politics from St. John's University and her law degree from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. Tanya Hobson-Williams has an active elder law practice assisting senior citizens in obtaining Medicaid for Home Care and Nursing Home Care. She routinely lectures at senior citizen centers, assisted living facilities, law schools and counsels families on a variety of topics of concerns to families caring for the elderly. View all posts by Tanya Hobson-Williams

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