A Blueprint for Change

NYCHA Unveils Ideas to Invest in Its Properties and People

Dear Colleagues,

To ensure that public housing is here for New Yorkers for another 85 years and beyond, NYCHA is unveiling A Blueprint for Change, a set of ideas that outlines potential ways that NYCHA can invest in its properties, residents, and organization.

We have been working tirelessly to improve services to residents in several critical areas – including heating, elevators, pests and waste, lead, and mold – in accordance with the Authority’s 2019 agreement with the federal government. At the same time, we have been working to transform NYCHA’s organizational structure and operations. By instituting property-based budgeting, bringing central office support functions to the front line, and streamlining resources, we are transforming operations from the building level up, empowering property management staff in their work to serve residents and respond to building conditions.

We recognize, however, that without significant capital investment, the efforts of property management staff will continue to be impacted by the conditions of our buildings, which haven’t received the investment they’ve needed for some time. To address our buildings’ massive capital needs, A Blueprint for Change introduces an innovative way to invest in and preserve all of the Authority’s buildings and apartments.

This is the first time in many decades that NYCHA has proposed a comprehensive improvement plan for every single one of its buildings. This would be the largest investment in New York City’s public housing since the 1950s – an investment that would help the city recover economically from the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing job training and jobs and healthier homes to residents. Renovations would incorporate the latest energy-efficient technologies and appliances, fostering a greener and cleaner NYCHA.

To bring much-needed repairs and renovations to the 110,000 NYCHA apartments that are not being upgraded through PACT, A Blueprint for Change proposes creating a Public Housing Preservation Trust. The State-created Public Trust would transform residents’ homes by expediting massive, historic levels of rehabilitation and accessing new funding streams. With the increased capital investment, we would build new capacity to execute on such a large scale.

The Public Trust ensures a fully public process and public ownership. And it ensures that no NYCHA jobs are lost. NYCHA, which remains the owner of the land and the buildings, would enter into a long-term ground lease with the Trust; the Trust oversees the improvements, while NYCHA staff continue to maintain and manage the properties. It’s a model similar to the NYC School Construction Authority, which builds and renovates schools for the Department of Education. 

Please click here to learn more about A Blueprint for Change. If you have any questions about the plan, please reach out to us at transform@nycha.nyc.gov. We all have an essential role in ensuring NYCHA’s longevity and improving the quality of life for NYCHA families. Thank you for your collaboration and dedication as we work together to accomplish this critical mission.

Sincerely,

Greg Russ, Chair & CEO

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Watch Chair Russ discuss A Blueprint for Change at a New York Housing Conference event here.