NYCHA 2.0 PACT Program Brings $261M in Renovations to 3 Developments
NYCHA and the New York City Housing Development Corporation announced the completion of two major rehabilitation efforts: first, Baychester and Murphy Houses by Camber Property Group, L+M Development Partners, and MBD Community Housing Corporation; second, Betances Houses by RDC, a joint venture between MDG Design + Construction and Wavecrest Management. Both located in the Bronx, these PACT projects comprise 54 buildings totaling 1,810 apartments.
The projects were completed through NYCHA’s Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program. A virtual ceremony commemorating the occasion featured NYCHA leadership, community and real estate partners, as well as resident testimonials on the engagement process and ground-up renovation.
The buildings – constructed between 1906 and 1974 – have largely suffered from decades of federal disinvestment. All told, the Baychester/Murphy and Betances developments are home to an estimated 4,300 residents – and the sites were in desperate need of repair, from apartment renovations to the major rehabilitation of building infrastructure.
“PACT continues to be one of the best tools at our disposal to bring quality renovations and new job opportunities to NYCHA families throughout New York City,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Vicki Been. “The completion of construction at Baychester Houses, Murphy Houses, and Betances Houses will ensure that the residents of these vibrant communities have the better homes they deserve, and guarantees both the affordability and quality of those homes for generations to come.”
“Today’s completion of construction is the result of two years of dedicated engagement with our residents around the quality-of-life improvements they wanted to see for their homes,” said NYCHA Chair & CEO Greg Russ. “This project is a testament to the idea that exceptional housing quality upgrades, modern landscape design features, and enhanced community resources can be realized without sacrificing long-term affordability and resident rights.”
“NYCHA is continually focused on marshaling the resources necessary to comprehensively repair the apartments of our residents, and getting to the point where they can see and experience these improvements is a wonderful reward for that effort,” said NYCHA’s Executive Vice Present for Real Estate Development Jonathan Gouveia. “We are grateful to all the different private and community partners, government agencies, and resident leadership who worked hand-in-hand with us to make this day possible.”
“I have lived at Betances Houses for many years, and the improvements we have seen as a result of the RAD conversation are incredible,” said Giselle Gavin, Resident Association President at Betances Houses. “The development team listened to our concerns and made improvements that we’ve needed for years, which will positively impact residents for years to come. The residents and myself are so thankful to everyone involved, and are happy to call the new Betances our home.”
“The renovations and changes have transformed our community,” said Sandra Gross, Resident Association President at Baychester Houses. “Most of my conversations with the community is focused on folks asking me how they can move into Baychester Houses because it is so beautiful and so safe.”
In addition to apartment renovations, the developments each received a host of infrastructure and spatial redesign improvements, including roofing replacements, entry upgrades, façade repairs, nearly 11 acres of new walking paths throughout the developments, social gathering spaces, lawns, ball courts, and thematic playgrounds – all designed to strengthen the community infrastructure of each site’s different community areas.
With the help of BronxWorks at Baychester and Murphy Houses and the Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New York at Betances, a core feature of each project involves developing and implementing comprehensive social services designed to empower residents and enhance their quality of life. Services offered across the sites include access to mental health clinics, youth employment programs, food pantries, emergency assistance programs, and educational enrichment services.
Through PACT, Baychester and Murphy Houses and Betances will convert to a more stable, federally funded program called Project-Based Section 8. This allows NYCHA to unlock funding to complete comprehensive repairs, while also ensuring homes remain permanently affordable and residents have the same basic rights as they possess in the public housing program.
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