Adi Talwar
A view of NYCHA's Wagner Houses in East Harlem from the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge.
News, investigations and analysis about the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), the nation’s largest public housing system. This series is generously supported by the New York Community Trust (NYCT).
As the city faces dual affordable housing and homelessness crises, City Limits asked the candidates’ running in Tuesday’s primary for their stance on a number of key related issues. Are they a renter or a landlord? Do they support the idea of “member deference” on local land use votes? What’s the best route for funding repairs at NYCHA?
“You think about a $106 billion budget—we’re asking for $400 million with an M,” Councilmember Carmen De La Rosa said at Thursday’s rally. “NYCHA tenants deserve more and we’re going to continue to stand with you until we see a budget that reflects the dignity that you have long deserved.”
El objetivo de la Autoridad de Vivienda de la ciudad de Nueva York (NYCHA por sus siglas en inglés) es que la entrega de los apartamentos se produzca en 30 días. Sin embargo, en abril, NYCHA tardó una media de 410 días en volver a ocupar un apartamento desocupado, lo que supone un aumento significativo desde principios de año, y más del doble que hace un año.
Advocates hoped Adams would kick off his first term by appointing a deputy mayor for housing and homelessness—ensuring that previously siloed agencies would report to the same person. He didn’t, but departing administration member Jessica Katz was the next best thing, they say.
“If you charge someone less than what they’re supposed to be paying they might not shout about it quite as loudly,” said Comptroller Brad Lander, whose office conducted the review. “Undercharging people relative to their income, they might not complain, but then the agency might not have the money it needs.”
NYCHA reported a decrease in heat outages and shorter restoration times during the 2022-2023 winter heating season, which concluded Friday, citing millions of dollars invested in upgraded boiler systems and newly installed hot water heaters and heat pumps.
NYCHA’s target time is 30 days for apartment turnover. But as of April, it took the housing authority an average of 410 days to re-occupy a vacant apartment, up significantly from the start of the year and more than double what it took a year ago.
While New Yorkers are on the rebound from job loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic, unemployment rates in NYCHA continue to plague residents, particularly among Black and Latino men, a new report finds.
While the total won’t be clear until remaining applications for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) are processed, a majority of the $391 in aid will likely go to the housing authority and other public housing tenants, with $35 million specifically earmarked for NYCHA. Still, thousands of New Yorkers living in public or subsidized housing did not apply for ERAP but continue to struggle with mounting debt.
The board so far includes three city housing officials, two tenants association presidents and the head of a nonprofit. NYCHA aims to initially transfer up to 25,000 units to the Trust, what supporters say will unlock federal housing subsidies to fund billions in renovations.
City Limits uses investigative journalism through the prism of New York City to identify urban problems, examine their causes, explore solutions, and equip communities to take action.
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