Manhattan BP Hoylman-Sigal testifies supporting Intro 978 and related bills

Thank you very much.

Brad Homan, Siegel Manhattan Borough President.

Really just here to thank you, Chairs Long, Hanif, and Lee, and the members of your committee.

You know, I represent 1.6 million Manhattanites, including the largest share of SCRI and DRI recipients in any borough of the city.

And I'm really grateful to the council and the speaker for your hearing today, the tenants, the advocates, my state,

former state colleagues and our city colleagues who join us in support of, in particular, Councilmember Lewis's legislation, Intro 978, as you know.

From today's hearing, we're facing an affordability crisis in our rents, one which particularly impacts our most vulnerable neighbors.

In Manhattan, rents are rising at nearly double the rate of inflation, with the average rent reaching a staggering $6,650 in August of 2026.

And we have a proven tool at our hands for seniors and people with disabilities so they don't get priced out of their homes.

The rent freeze program known as SCRI injury.

But the household income limit, as again, you know, to qualify for the program has been frozen at $50,000 since 2014.

This is tied for the longest freeze.

in the program's history in the years since 2014, inflation in this region rose by nearly 39%,

shelter costs over 46%, and Social Security's federally mandated cost of living adjustments reached just 38%.

This means that simply receiving inflation-adjusted Social Security could push a New Yorker above the $50,000 cap and effectively strip away their rent protections despite not

enabling them to actually afford their rent.

This has had a terrible impact on the service we are providing to a vulnerable population.

And I want to thank again the council for their work, our state colleagues for authorizing the first increase in this cap in 12 years, raising that maximum income to $75,000, which represents a 50% increase.

I also want to thank the bills that are before you today.

The one in particular that I'd like to mention, Council Member Caban's resolution to support the state bill that would raise the cap and index it to inflation.

To make also enrollment easier, Albany has to pass legislation to allow New York City to create an automatic enrollment program.

Intro 307 by Council Member Marte would also ease the application process by creating a single universal application.

HPD and the Department of Finance would jointly administer.

And just want to thank Councilmember Lewis for 978, to Senators Kavanaugh and Assemblymember Rosenthal and our other legislative partners.

I'm proud to stand with you in your support and urge you to pass the bills before you today and deliver on the rent protections that our constituents deserve.

Thank you very much for the opportunity to speak to you.

Thank you, Board of President.

I also thank you for the work you did in Albany.

Thank you.

Let's see my next panel.

Alexa, und tanzing.

Brenda is a Zari.

Ring, Paris, Yami.

Rabia Khalid.

Brianna McKinney.

William Jourdain.

When you're ready, you can begin.