New PACT Projects to Bring Repairs & Quality Property Management for 3,100 Apartments
The latest Request for Expressions of Interest will maintain the Authority’s focus on proposals that showcase robust resident engagement approaches, diverse partnership teams, and community-enhancing urban designs.
On December 22, NYCHA released a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) to attract development partners for new projects under the Authority’s Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program to repair and preserve more than 3,100 units in the Bronx, Upper Manhattan, and Staten Island.
The official RFEI represents an essential first step in unlocking the capital funds needed to address the infrastructure repair needs of severely distressed properties. In the past year, NYCHA’s Real Estate Development Department has worked diligently to incorporate feedback from stakeholders in designing a proposal submission process that prioritizes such measures as diverse partnerships, resident programming and services, deep decarbonization activities, connected urban designs, and engagement plans that meaningfully incorporate resident input throughout the development process. The proposals will be reviewed by resident committees formed by the tenant association leaders to assist NYCHA in the selection of partners for each development.
Residents in developments participating in the PACT program will see their buildings, common spaces, and apartments modernized through extensive renovations. Repairs to individual apartments will include comprehensive work on kitchens, bathrooms, windows, and living spaces. Chronic heat and gas outages will be addressed and renovations of interiors and common spaces, as well as elevator repairs, will be completed. Additionally, there will be improvements to building security, including upgraded entry systems and additional security cameras. Partnerships with social service providers will also be established to improve on-site services and programming based on input from residents.
Pre-qualified Partners designated through the annual PACT Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process will be invited to submit proposals in response to the following projects:
- Eastchester Gardens (877 apartments)
- Moore and East 152nd Street – Courtlandt Avenue (684 apartments)
- Rangel (984 apartments)
- West Brighton I and II (574 apartments)
Applicants to the West Brighton project must also propose a plan to demolish and replace two vacant bungalows with a new, mixed-use building containing affordable housing and community amenities. This component of the project at West Brighton is a collaboration with the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD).
“NYCHA’s Real Estate team continues to work with residents and housing advocates to make incredible strides in ensuring that the PACT program provides comprehensive rehabs, permanent affordability, and robust tenant protections,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Vicki Been. “The Round 12 RFEI, NYCHA’s third this year, is proof that NYCHA, working closely with resident leadership, is improving the health, safety, and living conditions for the many families who call NYCHA home.”
“The Authority has worked closely with resident leadership to craft comprehensive rehabilitation plans that address the wide range of capital and community-based needs for NYCHA campuses across New York City,” said NYCHA Chair & CEO Greg Russ. “We are excited to expand that effort to a new round of sites through today’s announcement and this latest Request for Expressions of Interest.”
“The PACT program has put more than 35,000 households on a pathway towards seeing long-lasting improvements to their homes, and we look forward to meaningfully upgrading the public housing developments that have been designated through the PACT Round 12 Request for Expressions of Interest,” said NYCHA’s Executive Vice President of Real Estate Development Jonathan Gouveia. “The RFEI process allows us to gather invaluable feedback that enhances NYCHA’s connection to the communities we serve and strengthens our ability to properly oversee these projects.”
“The PACT program will provide residents at Rangel Houses a better quality of life,” said Bernadette McNear, Resident Association President of Rangel Houses. “This funding will directly improve our living conditions and will be used for the betterment of our community.”
“I’m looking forward to the building improvements for the residents at East 152nd-Courtlandt,” said Cassandra Bowlin, Resident Association President of Melrose Houses. “NYCHA has explained the PACT program to residents, and I look forward to seeing the work completed and followed through on.”
“NYCHA took us to visit other developments that have gone through PACT” said Rosa Pinero, Resident Association President of Moore Houses. “They looked beautiful and great! For residents at Moore Houses, we’re looking forward to improvements to our buildings, like the plumbing behind the walls. We’ve been complaining about leaks for years. PACT will also provide new and improved social services, and that is another thing that we’re looking forward to.”
“The Eastchester Gardens Resident Association and residents are looking forward to the PACT/RAD program to help fund the much-needed repairs that we deserve,” said Keith Ramsey, Resident Association President of Eastchester Gardens.
“Residents are looking forward to an engagement process that continues to be transparent, and I’m looking forward to a West Brighton community that’s safe and secure for our residents,” said Shekina Butler, Resident Association President of West Brighton Houses.
PACT is a key tool to fund comprehensive repairs at developments citywide while safeguarding tenant rights and protections. Through PACT, developments will be included in the federal Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) and transition to a more stable, federally funded program called Project-Based Section 8. PACT depends on partnerships with private and nonprofit development partners. Once the property is converted to Project-Based Section 8, NYCHA will lease the land and buildings to the development partners, who will conduct the repairs, serve as the new on-site property manager, and provide enhanced social services and community programs.
NYCHA will continue to own the land and buildings, administer the Section 8 subsidy and waitlist, and monitor conditions at the development. NYCHA will ensure that the partners adhere to standards outlined in the RAD Roundtable Guiding Principles created by NYCHA residents and advocacy groups to preserve resident protections and guarantee permanent affordability.
All proposals are due by June 30, 2022. Interested parties can attend a virtual pre-submission conference on February 2, 2022. Details on how to RSVP for the virtual conference can be found within the RFEI. Only pre-qualified partners are eligible to submit proposals. For more information about the pre-submission conferences, proposal requirements, or how to become a pre-qualified partner, visit the PACT procurement page found here.
Photo caption: A current photo of Rangel Houses, one of the developments that will be comprehensively repaired and renovated through PACT.
