City to Fund NYCHA $2.2 Billion to Fix Housing Woes
HUD, NYCHA and New York City signed an agreement which will result in the dismissal of the federal lawsuit alleging a lack of decent, safe and sanitary housing for NYCHA residents.
NEW YORK CITY—Under an administrative agreement entered into on Jan. 31, 2019, the New York City Housing Authority must reform its operations and substantially improve living conditions for its residents. This includes under a federal monitor, remedying five problems: lead paint hazards, mold, rats, lack of heat and broken elevators. The City must also select a new permanent chair and CEO of NYCHA. Stanley Brezenoff has been working in the interim in these roles, following Shola Olaytoye resignation as NYCHA’s chairwoman in April.
The City must provide NYCHA $2.2 billion over the next 10 years to address the host of problems set forth in the federal complaint filed on June 11, 2018 by Geoffrey S. Berman, US Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
As a result of the deal reached by the US Department of Housing, NYCHA and the City of New York, the complaint will be dismissed.
It alleged for years NYCHA had violated federal health and safety regulations, failing to provide decent, safe, sanitary housing, and to protect children from lead paint hazards. The complaint specified those who suffered included elderly people without heat in winter; residents with asthma whose conditions were worsened by moldy and pest-infested apartments; and disabled tenants without functioning elevators.
The complaint stated NYCHA repeatedly made false statements to HUD and the public regarding its lead paint inspection compliance, and intentionally deceived HUD inspectors.
More than 400,000 New Yorkers live in NYCHA housing.
“This is a very positive outcome, one that I believe can bring meaningful change to living conditions of the many thousands of families who depend upon NYCHA for their housing,” says HUD secretary Ben Carson. “But there is still a lot of work to be carried out. We look forward to continuing what has been a productive working relationship with the mayor and his team.”
US Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman points out the agreement provides strict, enforceable standards that NYCHA must meet. He states there are “deadlines for the five critical living conditions, including requiring both the immediate remediation of lead paint in apartments with children under 6 years old and, over time, 100% abatement of all lead paint in all NYCHA developments.”
The deal also requires NYCHA to establish a compliance department, an environmental health and safety department and a quality assurance unit.