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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 309-05
August 9, 2005

MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG SIGNS LEGISLATION PROVIDING RENT INCREASE EXEMPTION FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Remarks by Mayor Bloomberg at a Public Hearing on Local Laws

“The next bill before me is Introductory Number 667-A, sponsored at the request of the Administration by Council Members López, Avella, Brewer, Fidler, Foster, Gennaro, Gonzalez, James, Koppell, Nelson, Recchia, Stewart, Liu, Gentile, Jackson, Weprin, Speaker Miller and Public Advocate, Betsy Gotbaum.  This bill provides a rent increase exemption for persons with disabilities living in New York City.

“The availability of accessible housing for disabled persons is limited.  Their special needs can limit the housing options available and decrease the chances of securing affordable housing.

“Intro. 667-A, modeled after similar legislation that allowed rent increase exemptions to low-income senior citizens, will extend rent increase exemptions to people with disabilities – ensuring that eligible disabled citizens will be exempt from rent increases if they are already paying more than a third of their income on rent.  This will help alleviate the challenges faced by the disabled community with securing affordable and accessible housing and enable these citizens to remain in their homes.

“I would like to thank the City Council for shepherding this bill through the legislative process.  I would also like to thank the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities Executive Director Matthew Sapolin, the Department of Finance Commissioner Martha Stark and the agency staff who worked on this bill.”







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