Comprehensive Repairs for 62,000 Apartments

November 1, 2018December 5, 2018 Michael Corwin

Innovative public-private partnerships, including the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program, are bringing extensive repairs to 62,000 NYCHA apartments, home to about 140,000 residents. This will address nearly $13 billion of much-needed repairs. These apartments will be converted to Section 8 funding and will remain permanently affordable. Residents will keep all their rights as public housing residents, pay no more than 30 percent of their income toward rent, and stay in their buildings during the renovations. Residents will benefit from new kitchens and bathrooms, windows, elevators, boilers, roofs, and security systems and improved common areas. Quality private managers will maintain and operate these buildings.

This announcement was made by Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYCHA Interim Chair and CEO Chair Stanley Brezenoff on November 19 at Betances Houses, which has already been converted to the Section 8 program, along with Ocean Bay (Bayside) and Twin Parks West. Renovations are complete at Ocean Bay (Bayside) Apartments, home to about 1,400 families. All 62,000 apartments – home to more than a third of NYCHA’s residents – will be renovated over the next 10 years.

“This is a turning point for tens of thousands of NYCHA residents,” announced Mayor de Blasio. “These partnerships are one of our best-proven tools to deliver critical repairs. We look forward to working with officials, residents, and advocates on this and other new strategies to make a concrete difference for the 400,000 people who call NYCHA home.”

Interim Chair Brezenoff added: “As our properties need $32 billion worth of repairs, a new and radical approach is absolutely necessary to tackle that enormous figure. With the support of Mayor de Blasio, who knows the vital role of public housing in New York City, PACT [NYCHA’s “Permanent Affordability Commitment Together” Section 8 conversion initiatives] is the way of the future for NYCHA, as we work to improve residents’ quality of life while contending with the harsh reality of declining federal funding.”

RAD is a ground-breaking tool from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that lets public housing authorities permanently preserve public housing developments as affordable homes and make necessary repairs. In New York City, RAD involves collaboration among the Authority, NYCHA residents, development partners, and community and housing advocates, and it is a key part of NextGeneration NYCHA, the Authority’s long-term strategic plan to create financial stability and improve residents’ lives. Watch the video below to learn more about RAD.

These developments are the next to be renovated through RAD:

Manhattan sites: