Mayor de Blasio Seeks Private Management of Public Housing Projects

Mayor de Blasio recently announced Requests for Proposals for the private management of 21 public housing projects. Through the public-private partnerships and HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) intends to bring comprehensive repairs to 62,000 apartments. RAD is a tool that lets public housing authorities permanently preserve public housing developments as affordable homes and make necessary repairs. All 62,000 apartments will be converted to Section 8 funding and remain permanently for low-income tenants.

Maintenance and ongoing operations will be provided by private managers. The approximately 140,000 residents in these units will retain all their rights as public housing residents, pay rent limited to 30 percent of their income, and remain in their buildings during the renovations, which will include new kitchens and bathrooms; replacing windows, elevators, boilers, and roofs; and improved common areas.

“This is a turning point for tens of thousands of NYCHA residents. We have an opportunity to undo decades of neglect and mismanagement, and we have to take it,” said Mayor Bill 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.”