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Department of Finance backs intent to expand outreach on rent‑freeze programs but says it lacks household contact data
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Summary
Intro 10‑34 would require the Department of Finance to notify eligible seniors and people with disabilities about rent‑freeze programs. Finance supports the bill’s aim but said it does not have access to the data needed to mail notices to eligible heads of household and can instead notify landlords of rent‑stabilized units.
Intro 10‑34, sponsored by Council Member Julie Menin, would require the Department of Finance to notify households eligible for the senior citizen rent increase exemption and disabled citizen rent increase exemption (commonly called SCRIE and DRIE) and to expand renewal and third‑party notice processes.
Jake Capistran, deputy chief of staff and director of legislative affairs for the Department of Finance, told the committee the department "supports the intent" of the bill and does outreach, including hundreds of community events and council office assistance. Capistran said Finance cannot identify all eligible heads of household because it lacks access to necessary data; however the agency can mail notices to registered landlords who have rent‑stabilized units. He described existing training and "train the trainer" efforts Finance uses to reach community partners and non‑profits and said the agency has assisted about 1,000 constituents this year with rent‑freeze enrollment support.
Council members pressed whether landlords could be required to notify tenants; Finance said it currently can notify registered landlords of rent‑stabilized units and welcomed collaboration with the council on implementing that practice. The committee took testimony and requested follow‑up; no vote was taken during the hearing.
