DRIE helps eligible tenants with disabilities stay in affordable housing by freezing their rent. This means tenants can keep paying what they were paying even if the landlord increases the rent. The landlord will get a property tax credit that covers the difference between the new and original rent amount.
Heads Up
You need to be receiving a qualifying disability benefit to qualify for DRIE.Renew on time to keep paying the same amount of rent in the future as you do now.You are not required to file taxes to qualify for DRIE.You do not need your landlord's permission to apply.The NYC Rent Freeze program also includes the (https://access.nyc.gov/programs/senior-citizens-rent-increase-exemption) Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) for seniors 62 and older.
Eligibility
To be eligible for DRIE, you should be able to answer "yes" to all of these questions:
Are you 18 years old or older?Is your name on the lease?Is your combined household income $50,000 or less in a year?Do you spend more than one-third of your monthly income on rent?Do you live in NYC in one of these types of housing?a rent stabilized apartmenta rent controlled apartmenta Mitchell-Lama developmenta Limited Dividend developmenta redevelopment company developmenta Housing Development Fund Company (HDFC) Cooperative developmenta Section 213 Cooperative unita rent regulated hotel or single room occupancy unitDo you have income from the following benefits?Supplemental Security Income (SSI)Federal Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability pension or compensationDisability-related Medicaid if you received either SSI or SSDI in the past
Required Documents
To apply for DRIE, you will need copies of documents that prove:
Who you are (and your age)Where you live (with rental amount)IncomeThis includes your income and the income of all household members who lived in your apartment the year before you submit your application. For example, if you apply in 2023, you will need income information for 2022.That you receive a qualifying disability benefit (and award letter)
How to Apply
OnlineIf you are applying for DRIE for the first time, you can apply online (https://www1.nyc.gov/site/rentfreeze/tools/nyc-tap.page) . (https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/finance/jump/dof-appointments.html) Schedule a virtual appointment (https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/rentfreeze/downloads/pdf/drie/drie-initial-application-only.pdf) to apply for DRIE.By mail
Print an (https://www1.nyc.gov/site/rentfreeze/help/help-temporary-centers.page) initial application and fill it out. You can also pick one up from the DRIE Assistance Center or call 311 to request an application be mailed to you.Mail your completed and signed application along with supporting documents to:Rent Freeze Program – DRIEP.O. Box 3179Union, NJ 07083In-personFind a Department of Finance Assistance Center near you to apply. You may need to schedule an appointment to visit a center.By phoneIf you live in a Housing Development Fund Company (HDFC) apartment, call HPD at 212-863-8494 to apply for DRIE.
Online
Complete the online application through the Department of Finance (DOF) (https://www1.nyc.gov/site/rentfreeze/tools/nyc-tap.page) if you are applying for DRIE for the first time.You can get help applying to DRIE by (https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/finance/jump/dof-appointments.html) scheduling a virtual appointment with DOF.
By Mail
In Person
Find a center
Get Help
Visit the NYC Rent Freeze Program website (http://www1.nyc.gov/site/rentfreeze/index.page) to learn more. (http://www1.nyc.gov/site/finance/about/contact-by-email/contact-drie.page) Request assistance (https://www.nyc.gov/site/mayorspeu/index.page) from the Department of Finance.Call 212-639-9675 if you have a hard time hearing.Call 311 and ask for a DRIE specialist.Call 929-252-7242 to get one-on-one help with applying for DRIE from an NYC Public Engagement Unit Specialist.
