Assemblyman Michael Blake Looking to Expand Rent Freeze Program for Seniors if He Becomes Public Advocate

Posted By NYC Newswire

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Assemblyman Michael Blake, who is a candidate to become New York City’s next Public Advocate, has expressed concerns over transportation and housing issues that negatively impact seniors throughout New York City.

HOUSING
ENFORCE AND STRENGTHEN RENT STABILIZATION LAWS

More than 50% of New Yorkers are rent burdened and spend more than 30% of their monthly income on housing. (As a general rule, you want to spend no more than 30 percent of your monthly gross income on housing. If you’re a renter, that 30 percent includes utilities, and if you’re an owner, it includes other home-ownership costs like mortgage interest, property taxes and maintenance.) The elimination of rent-stabilized units is particularly harmful for our City’s senior citizens, who should have the right to age in place.

As Public Advocate, I will work to expand the number of senior citizens enrolled in the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption program, SCRIE, which freezes rent for senior New Yorkers who earn less than $50,000 and are paying more than a third of their income in units that are rent-controlled or stabilized. I will also work to expand the enrollment eligibility from the current household income threshold to $45,800.

TRANSPORTATION
More than 40% of our seniors live in areas that don’t have enough public transportation. We need to make it easier for our seniors to get around by making our bus system more accommodating and expanding Access-A-Ride service. Only one out of every three bus stops have shelters and benches, which is unacceptable in a world-class city. I will push for the City to build more benches and shelters.

Find out more about Michael Blake on the Issues.

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