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Council Discourse

NYC Council meetings, chaptered and linked by time.

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Remarks

Chair Hanif on affordability gaps for enrolled DRIE recipients

New York City Council · Sep 18, 2026 · starts 0:18:14 · 41 sec

Hanif reports the median DRIE recipient household income is $16,671 with tenants paying 62% of income toward frozen rent, and 16% have frozen rent exceeding their entire household income, arguing freezing rent at unaffordable levels defeats the program's purpose.

Shahana Hanif

But enrollment is only half the problem.

Shahana Hanif

Among DRI recipients in 2024, the median household income was $16,671.

Shahana Hanif

And the median tenant was paying 62% of their income toward frozen rent.

Shahana Hanif

16% had a frozen rent that exceeded their entire reported household income.

Shahana Hanif

These are households the city already enrolled and counted as a success.

Shahana Hanif

And they're still paying rents they cannot afford.

Shahana Hanif

Freezing rent at an unaffordable number is not the point of the program.