Housing Support

Print icon Print
NYC Aging Housing Support Services

Tenancy and Eviction Support Services (TESS)

The Tenancy and Eviction Support Services (TESS) program assists older adults who are facing eviction in Manhattan, Brooklyn or the Bronx housing court, resolve cases and preserve tenancy.

Staff from NYC Aging’s TESS conduct psychosocial assessments and will assess the eligibility of older adults referred to the program. If accepted into the program, TESS will provide case management services and advocacy to assist in discontinuing housing court proceedings. To get in touch with TESS., call Aging Connect at 212-AGING-NYC (212-244-6469).

HPD Housing Lottery

The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) creates affordable rent-stabilized apartments and homeownership opportunities for households at a wide range of income levels and sizes. You can learn more about HPD’s affordable housing options on their website.

To better serve the growing older adult population, HPD launched Seniors First, a three-pronged strategy to support older New Yorkers age in place including, Developing New Older Adult Housing on NYCHA land, and Supporting Older Adults through Preservation. Learn more about HPD’s Seniors First initiative.

SCRIE/DRIE

The New York City Department of Finance (DOF) Rent Freeze Program, which includes the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) benefit and the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) benefit, helps residents of rent controlled and rent stabilized apartments continue living in their communities by freezing their rent payments.

SCRIE:

Older New Yorkers who qualify for the SCRIE may have their rent frozen at their current level and be exempt from future increases. To be eligible for SCRIE at the time of the rent increase:

  • You must be the head of the household;
  • Your total annual household income must be $50,000 or less;
  • Your rent or carrying charges must be greater than one-third of the household's total monthly income;
  • You must be at least 62 years of age.

SCRIE applicants living in a public housing development (HDFC) or Mitchell-Lama apartments, must contact HPD to apply for SCRIE. For applications and more information, please call 212-863-8494 or visit HPD’s website

For more information about SCRIE, visit Freeze Your Rent or call 311.

DRIE:

People with disabilities may qualify for DRIE. You do not need to be an older adult to be eligible for the benefit. For more information about DRIE eligibility, visit the DOF website or call 311.