Governor Kathy Hochul signed the three bills into law at a news conference in Yonkers on Monday. Two of his are for providing financial relief to elderly homeowners.
A law allows for more flexible timelines for emergency home repairs for seniors receiving funds from the state’s RESTORE program.
“The cost of repairs makes things start to break. If you can’t fix something essential, it can drive someone into poverty,” Hochul said.
Another law, sponsored by Westchester MP Tom Avinanti, will help reduce the burden of local property taxes for those over 65 and those with disabilities.
Local governments can now increase the maximum income for New York property tax exemption from 29,000 to 50,000.
Marie Johnson, executive director of Sprye, a nonprofit that works with seniors, said the bill is a step in the right direction to help seniors reach the right age.
“8 out of 10 people want to keep living in their homes, and to do so, they may need to make modifications or upgrades to keep them safe and affordable. ”
A third bill signed by the governor affects first-time homebuyers. This will allow the local government to extend the property tax exemption for new homes until he 2028.