Rents in New York have started rising again, and a lot of older people are feeling the pressure. Many seniors live on fixed incomes, which means their money doesn’t go up even when rent does. What makes things worse is that many of them don’t realize the city already has a program that can stop their rent from increasing.

There’s a rent-freeze program for older adults and for people with disabilities. The city created it to help anyone who can’t keep up with rising costs but still wants to stay in their home. The frustrating thing is that a lot of people who qualify never apply, either because they don’t know the program exists or because they think it’s too complicated.

How Seniors Can Freeze Their Rent

New York has two main rent-freeze programs. One is for seniors, and one is for people with disabilities. Here’s how it works for seniors:

1. Meet the Age Requirement

You must be at least 62 years old.

2. Live in a Rent-Regulated Apartment

This includes rent-stabilized or rent-controlled apartments. Many long-time tenants qualify without realizing it.

3. Show That Your Income is Limited

Your household income has to be below a certain level. It changes slightly every year, but it’s set up to help low- and moderate-income seniors.

4. Show That Your Rent Takes Up a Big Part of Your Income

You must be paying more than one-third of your monthly income toward rent.

5. Apply With Proof of Your Income and Rent

You fill out an application and provide copies of documents like your lease, proof of age, and income statements. Once the city approves you, your rent is frozen.

6. Your Landlord Gets a Tax Credit

The program works by giving the landlord a break on their property taxes, so they don’t lose money when your rent stays the same. You don’t have to deal with this part; the city handles it.

7. Renew Every Two Years

To keep your rent frozen, you must renew the program every two years, but the renewal process is usually easier than the first application.

Why Rent Freeze Matters for Seniors

When a senior qualifies for a rent freeze, their monthly rent stays the same year after year. Even if the landlord raises the building’s regulated rent, the senior continues paying the amount they were paying when they were approved. For someone on Social Security or a small pension, this can be a lifesaver. It can prevent eviction, stop constant financial stress, and help them stay in their neighborhood.

Some seniors don’t apply because they assume the process is confusing. Others don’t think they qualify. Some don’t even know their apartment is rent-regulated, which is required for the program. The city has tried to spread the word, but a lot of older tenants still aren’t aware of it.