This bill (S 631) helps rent-controlled tenants with tax abatements who experience a significant income drop. If a household’s combined income decreases by more than 20% after receiving a tax abatement, they can apply to lower their rent to match the original rent-to-income ratio. The adjusted rent can be made retroactive to when the income dropped, but only back to the date of their most recent approved application (not further). It applies specifically to households with rent-controlled units under existing tax abatement programs.
Requires rent reduction in cases of submetered utility service; directs the division of housing and community renewal to develop a standard reduction and an appeals process.
This bill creates the Vacant Rental Improvement Program, providing grants of up to $75,000 per unit to owners of small rental buildings (five or fewer units) located outside New York City. It requires renovated units to be leased at affordable rates - defined as 80% of area median income - for a 10-year period, with new owners inheriting the affordability requirement. The program prioritizes vacant units or those with code violations and establishes a dedicated "rental improvement fund" for financing. Owners who violate the lease terms risk full repayment of grants.
Establishes the small rental housing development initiative to provide funding to eligible applicants to construct small rental housing developments in eligible areas.
Requires the New York City Housing Authority to create policies regarding administrative procedures that conform with Title 42 Sections 13661-13662 of the United States Code and any relevant guidance developed by the Office of Public and Indian Housing of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development with respect to proceedings involving decisions of the Authority.
Establishes an affordable housing program to be administered by the division of homes and community renewal which will provide loans or grants to certain property owners; provides that property owners receiving such loans or grants shall rent such property for no more than thirty-three percent of a tenant's income.
Codifies the disparate impact standard in the human rights law; provides that in cases of alleged housing discrimination, an unlawful discriminatory practice may be established by a practice's discriminatory effect.
Protects renters using a housing subsidy or voucher, or receiving public assistance from discrimination by the housing provider based on such renters' income or use of such housing subsidy, voucher or public assistance.
Excludes squatters from tenant protections; extends the time period for tenancy rights from 30 days to 60 days of possession; adds squatting to the definition of criminal trespass in the third degree; clarifies lease provisions.
Requires section 8 voucher holders to be provided notice of their legal protections from source of income discrimination; requires online housing platforms operating in the state to display notices of rights against source of income discrimination; makes related provisions; provides for penalties for violations.
