The Housing Affordability

Act
 Section 1
Options for low/ middle income individuals/ families

A. The Department of Housing Preservation and Development shall extend affordable housing
options for low and middle income individuals and families.
B. An individual is eligible for a subsidized home if one or all of the following applies to them:
1. The individual is between the ages of 18 and 59
2. The individual receives an annual income of $120,750 or less
3. The individual is unemployed
4. The individual contains a disability or other severe medical condition
5. The individual is unable to work for a minimum of nine weeks
6. The individual is the parent/ legal guardian of at least one child under the age of 18
C. The eligibility income level shall increase by 10% from the current eligible income require-
ment.
D. The eligibility income level shall increase at a constant 12% increment per individual living in
the same residence.

Section 2
Options/ Exemptions for Seniors

A. The Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption Program shall be extended for senior citi-
zens, if they meet certain requirements.
B. Any senior citizen is eligible for a rent increase exemption if one or all of the following
applies to them:
1. The senior is at least 60 years old
2. The senior’s annual income is below $75,000
3. The senior contains a disability or other severe medical condition
4. The senior’s spouse is deceased
5. The senior has resided in their home for a minimum of two years
 C. If the senior citizen is also a home owner, they are eligible for a property tax exemption if
all of the following applies to them:
1. The senior has owned in their home for a minimum of two years
2. The senior receives an annual income of $60,500 or less, if employed
3. The senior is currently unemployed
4. The senior contains a disability or severe medical condition
5. The senior’s spouse is deceased
6. The senior is currently the legal guardian of at least one child under the age of 18

Section 3
Options/ Exemptions for Disabled Individuals

A. The Disability Rent Increase Exemption shall be extended for individuals with a disa-
bility, if they meet certain requirements.
B. Any individual with a disability is eligible for a rent increase exemption if one or all
of the following applies to them:
1. The individual is between the ages of 18 and 59
2. The individual’s annual income is below $50,000
3. The individual is unable to work due to their disability
4. The individual has been unemployed for a minimum of four weeks
C. An individual with a disability that is also a home owner is eligible for a property
tax exemption if one or all of the following applies to them:
1. The individual receives an annual income of $50,000 or less
2. The individual has owned the property for a minimum of five years
3. The individual is currently unemployed
4. The individual is the sole home owner

Section 4
Options/ Exemptions for Veterans and Their Spouses
A. The Veteran Rent Increase Exemption Program shall be established at the beginning of
the following year.
B. Any veteran and their spouse are eligible for a rent increase exemption if all of the fol-
lowing applies to them:
1. The veteran has a disability or severe medical condition
2. The veteran receives an annual income of $75,000 or less
3. The veteran is currently unemployed or retired
4. The veteran has resided in their home for a minimum of six months
C. A veteran that is also a home owner is eligible for a property tax exemption if one or all
of the following applies to them:
1. The veteran receives an annual income of $75,000 or less
2. The veteran is currently unemployed or retired
3. The veteran has owned their home for a minimum of 12 months
4. The veteran contains a disability or severe medical condition

Section 5
Requirements for Undocumented Immigrants

A. Any undocumented immigrant over the age of 18 residing in a subsidized home is eligi-
ble for a rent decrease/ property tax deduction if one or all of the following applies to
them:
1. The immigrant has been employed for a minimum of 12 months
2. The immigrant is currently a business owner
3. The immigrant has not been committed of a misdemeanor and/ or felony
4. The immigrant is currently serving in the United States Military
5. The immigrant is an owner of a business whose annual revenue doesn’t exceed $100,000
B. The rent decrease shall not exceed past $425, while the property tax deduction shall not
exceed past $750
C. Any undocumented immigrant living in a subsidized home is not eligible for a rent and/
or property tax increase exemption.
 D. An undocumented immigrant applying for affordable housing options must provide the
local housing authority agency with appropriate documentation, which shall include
proof of residency and income.

Section 6
Mitchell Lama Development Program Requirements

A. Any individual over the age of 18 may apply for affordable housing options under the
Mitchell Lama development service, if one or all of the following applies to them:
1. The individual receives an annual income of $60,250 or less
2. The individual is currently unemployed
3. The individual has a severe medical condition
4. The individual has a physical and/or mental disability
B. Veterans and seniors who live in a Mitchell Lama development home are eligible for a
rent increase exemption if they provide the appropriate documentation to the local hous-
ing authority agency.
C. Parents of children under the age of 18 with a disability are eligible for a rent and
property tax increase exemption, if any of the following from Part A of this section
applies to them.

Section 7
Options/ Exemptions for Community Heroes

A. Any individual who was or who is currently a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or emer-
gency medical technician are eligible for a rent increase or property tax exemption if one or
all of the following applies to them:
1. The individual has served in their field for at least 12 months
2. The individual is currently unemployed
3. The individual has a severe medical condition/ disability
4. The individual has owned their home for a minimum of 16 months, if they are a homeowner
B. A spouse of a deceased law enforcement officer, firefighter, or emergency medical technician
may be eligible for subsidies, rent, and property tax increase exemptions if they meet the require-
ments as listed in Section 1, Part A of this proposal.

Section 8
Rent/ Property Tax Freeze requirements

A. The Housing Authority shall impose a two year rent freeze for all subsidized homes in New
York City.
B. The Department of Finance shall impose a three year property tax for all subsidized homes
across New York state.
C. After both freeze programs expire, individuals who meet the requirements for exemptions as
listed in Section 2-5 shall be eligible for such appropriate requirements

Section 9
Housing Developments within Communities and Requirements

A. The Housing Authority shall develop an approximate 120 new housing units throughout the
five boroughs within a 40 month period
B. Each housing development shall be completed in a maximum time period of 15 months.
C. Any subsidized home that has been abandoned in any of the five boroughs within the past six
months shall be redeveloped and meet the same requirement from Part B of this section