Council Member Alicka Ampry-Samuel, Chair of the Committee on Public Housing, speaks at the NYCHA oversight hearing on June 29, 2020. Image Credit: New York City Council

Residents voiced concerns about mold, ventilation and lack of signage. On June 29, 2020, the New York City Council’s Committee on Public Housing and the Committee on Housing and Buildings held a joint hearing to discuss the steps that the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) are taking to protect residents from the spread of COVID-19. (read more…)

Image Credit: Office of the Comptroller

Audit of NYCHA’s Controls over Heat Maintenance revealed inefficiencies in work order tracking system and inadequate boiler inspection. On May 28, 2020, the Office of the Comptroller released the results of its audit of the New York City Housing Authority’s (NYCHA) controls over heat maintenance. The audit report stated that NYCHA’s current system for tracking heating complaints is inefficient, and NYCHA’s system for tracking its boilers is inaccurate and uncomprehensive. NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer called for NYCHA to upgrade NYCHA’s system during warmer weather before “thousands more residents are left in the cold again.” (read more…)

Part of NYCHA’s Metro North Plaza Houses, which will receive funds from the transfer of development rights at Hobbs Court. Image Credit: Google Maps

NYCHA seeks to raise revenue for capital repairs by selling transferrable development rights on NYCHA properties. On March 5, 2020, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) announced the finalization of an agreement to transfer approximately 9,000 square feet of development and parking rights at the Hobbs Court development, located at 315 E 102nd Street in East Harlem, Manhattan.

(read more…)

Ribbon cutting to open Stonewall House, the City’s first LGBT-friendly senior affordable housing development. Image Credit: HPD

The project is a part of NYCHA’s efforts to build 10,000 units of affordable housing over the next decade. On December 17, 2019, the Department of Housing, Preservation and Development (HPD) announced the opening of Stonewall House, a new LGBT-friendly affordable elder housing at 112 St. Edwards Street in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. The project is the first elder housing in both the City and State to be designed as “LGBT-friendly.” (read more…)

Image Credit: NYCHA.

NYCHA put the tenant on probation after the tenant’s dog attacked the NYCHA employee. In April 2015, Lerone Washington’s English bulldog, Onyx, jumped and bit NYCHA’s employee who was delivering a hotplate to Washington’s apartment.  A few weeks later NYCHA informed Washington that it considered terminating Washinton’s lease due to his having an unauthorized and dangerous dog in the apartment. Although Washington attempted to register Onyx as a service pet, NYCHA ordered Washington to remove Onyx from the apartment immediately and placed Washington on probation for one year. (read more…)

Bart Schwartz speaking at the 164th CityLaw Breakfast./Image Credt: CityLand

On Friday, November 15, 2019, New York City Housing Authority Federal Monitor, Bart Schwartz spoke at the 164th CityLaw Breakfast at New York Law School. Mr. Schwartz was introduced by Professor Ross Sandler, Director of the Center for New York City Law. Mr. Schwartz spoke on “NYCHA Challenges and Updates.”

(read more…)