Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 10, 2019

CONTACT: media@nycha.nyc.gov

NYCHA ENGAGES WITH FULTON HOUSES RESIDENTS ON NYCHA 2.0 PROPOSALS

Outreach plan follows the Authority’s existing commitment to work with communities regarding vital campus improvements funded through ground leases for mixed-income development.

NEW YORK –Today, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) began its robust community outreach and engagement to residents of Robert Fulton Houses regarding proposed new construction that would help address critical infrastructure needs at the development.

“Our residents’ homes have critical needs that we need to address, and their input will help shape the future of their communities,” said NYCHA Interim Chair and CEO Kathryn Garcia. “We have a variety of tools through NYCHA 2.0 that will help ensure that residents have safe, affordable housing while reinforcing public housing in New York City for future generations.”

In December 2018, Mayor Bill de Blasio and the Authority released NYCHA 2.0, a comprehensive 10-year plan to address $24 billion in capital needs at New York City’s aging public housing. The announcement included a commitment to create plans that include community input for any campus improvements.

Fulton Houses, which was built in 1965 and is home to more than 2,160 New Yorkers across 11 buildings, has approximately $168 million in capital needs. Necessary structural repairs include brick replacement, gas riser replacement, mechanical upgrades, security upgrades, accessibility upgrades, and playground and community center renovations.

The Authority expects to use a combination of tools to increase revenue to NYCHA and provide as many of the repairs for Fulton Houses residents as possible. As a result, NYCHA has developed a robust engagement plan for residents and the surrounding community that will continue throughout the year.

In addition to the initial direct communications and outreach with residents, NYCHA will hold a series of community meetings that will bring together stakeholders to discuss concepts for the future of Fulton Houses. Proposals include demolition of existing low-rise buildings and construction of new units. The new units would be erected first to prevent any displacement of residents from the campus.

Regardless of any development proposals, all NYCHA families will keep their home or move into new apartments within Fulton, Chelsea-Elliot, or Chelsea Addition. Likewise, rents will not change because of this program, and all residents will maintain their rights as NYCHA residents.

NYCHA 2.0 offers the Authority three main tools to help drive much-needed money into public housing infrastructure citywide while safeguarding long-standing tenant rights and protections. The tools include:

• With PACT to Preserve, at least 62,000 NYCHA apartments (home to approximately 140,000 people) will be completely renovated through public-private partnerships using HUD Section 8 conversion programs, including Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD).
• Build to Preserve allows the City and NYCHA to build mixed-income affordable housing on underused public-owned land while dedicating 100 percent of the proceeds to addressing the capital needs of the nearest developments.
• Transfer to Preserve helps generate new revenue by transferring a portion of NYCHA’s extensive unused development rights, or “air rights.”

Altogether, funding generated by these tools – on top of the expected $8 billion in federal, State, and City capital funding – allows NYCHA to address nearly $24 billion in capital needs over the next decade, or up to 75 percent of the Authority’s $31.8 billion overall capital need. More information on both NYCHA 2.0 initiatives can be found here and here.

For more information regarding upcoming NYCHA 2.0 meetings, residents can call NYCHA at 212-306-4660 or email NYCHA2.0@nycha.nyc.gov.

About the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)

NYCHA’s mission is to increase opportunities for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers by providing safe, affordable housing and facilitating access to social and community services. Over 390,000 New Yorkers reside in NYCHA’s 316 public housing developments and PACT/RAD developments formerly managed by NYCHA around the five boroughs. Over 190,000 receive subsidized rental assistance in private homes through the NYCHA-administered Section 8 Leased Housing Program. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/nycha, and for regular updates on NYCHA news and services, connect with us via  www.facebook.com/NYCHA and www.twitter.com/NYCHA.