When, how, and whom to ask for help may be questions we have as we age in place.  What help to request, the psychological and emotional barriers to seeking help or coping with change are covered in the downloadable document below.  Facing the future with confidence and staying in control when accepting help from others are ways to ensure you remain independent.  It is important to plan by preparing advance directives (wills, healthcare proxies, powers of attorney), by planning for long-term care, and/or spending down to Medicaid eligibility thresholds. 

More information on these topics as well as some elder law contacts are available in the downloadable files below.

We take for granted that to age in place, one needs a place to call one's own.  This is becoming harder and harder in a city where real estate prices put pressure on tenants, owners and landlords alike.

Older adults are entitled to certain protections against harassment and eviction such as the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption or SCRIE and the Senior Citizen Homeowners' Exemption or SCHE.

For the basics about SCRIE from the NYC Rent Guidelines Board, please click here and take a look at the recap below.  Also, watch the brief video below for an overview of SCRIE eligibility and see this FAQ.  For the most up-to-date information, see the NYC Rent Freeze program website.

To read more about property tax exemptions for seniors who own coops and condos in the city, click here.

When you need help or representation on these matters, your Assembly Member or Housing Court Answers may be a good contact for assistance. For answers to your questions about housing court, contact them here.  They publish a tenant's guide to negotiating with your landlord, which you may download here.  For BAiP members, Assembly Member O'Donnell provides assistance to apply.  His community office may be reached at (212) 866-3970.  More information from his office appears in the image at the bottom of this post in English and Spanish.

Ever Considered a Roommate?
Do you have an extra bedroom? Would you like to have some company and help with paying the rent? Then the New York Foundation for Senior Citizen’s home sharing program may be a solution. The Foundation’s free Home Sharing Program helps link adult “hosts” with extra private spaces in their homes or apartments with appropriate adult “guests” to share their space. Professional Social Work staff thoroughly screen and match hosts with compatible guests. Guests provide a monthly contribution towards expenses, and everyone gains companionship and a sense of security. For more information, call 212-962-7559 or visit the link above.


Some of this information comes from Assembly Member Danny O'Donnell's office.  And some of this information was presented at our October 23, 2014, panel “Your Home & Your Rights."