FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 06, 2024
CONTACT: media@nycha.nyc.gov | (212) 306-3322

PACT Program to Improve the Quality of Life for Over 2,000 Residents at Murphy Private in the Bronx with $470.8 Million Transformation

Capital needs for 850 apartments will be addressed across eight developments

NYCHA and resident leaders selected Settlement Housing Fund, MDG Design & Construction, Wavecrest Management, and Bronx Pro Group as partner team

NEW YORK – The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) today announced the selection of Settlement Housing Fund, MDG Design & Construction, Wavecrest Management, and Bronx Pro Group to address $470.8 million in capital needs for the over 2,000 residents of Murphy Private through the Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program. Murphy Private consists of 850 apartments across eight NYCHA developments in the Bronx: Bryant Avenue-East 174^th Street, East 165^th Street-Bryant Avenue, East 173^rd Street-Vyse Avenue, Hoe Avenue-East 173^rd Street, Hunts Point Avenue Rehab, Longfellow Avenue Rehab, West Farms Road Rehab, and West Farms Square Conventional. Resident leadership from each development has worked closely with NYCHA to select a PACT partner team composed of the firms best suited to transform the developments and improve the quality of life for residents. 

The PACT partners will begin the process of scheduling inspections and building studies with Murphy Private residents, while regular resident meetings will continue to help finalize investment priorities for the campuses. In the coming months, a social services provider will be added as the partner team continues assessing the unique needs of each Murphy Private development. Construction is slated to begin after the partner team and residents finalize plans for the community investments, which will be memorialized in a community plan document.   

"As the Adams administration remains steadfast in our mission to provide housing stability for all New Yorkers, we are thrilled to be able to advance repairs for the homes of the 2,000 NYCHA residents at Murphy Private," said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. "The resident leadership from the eight developments comprising Murphy have shown the importance of tenant power in selecting a highly qualified development team. We look forward to seeing this tenant-developer collaboration transform New Yorkers' lives as $470.8 million in capital repairs are made."

“I'm thrilled to see resident leaders at Murphy Private and NYCHA select the team of Settlement Housing Fund, MDG Design & Construction, Wavecrest Management, and Bronx Pro Group,” said Executive Director for Housing Leila Bozorg. “This PACT partnership will provide over 850 units — homes to over 2000 residents — with much-needed comprehensive repairs and demonstrates the Administration's commitment to ensuring NYCHA residents are centered in the critical work to preserve and sustain their homes for the future.”

“Murphy Private residents have selected a PACT partner team that they feel is up to the task of addressing each of the eight developments’ specific needs,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “Residents have much to look forward to, as they continue to work hand in hand with the partner team to realize the collective vision for their homes and campuses.”

“We are excited to announce this milestone for the residents of Murphy Private, as we have worked closely with resident leaders to identify a PACT partner team that will continue our collaborative planning process,” said NYCHA Executive Vice President for Real Estate Development Jonathan Gouveia. “We look forward to seeing the final community plan for this set of developments — one that will address the priorities and vision for our NYCHA residents.”

“Through an extensive review process, the Resident Review Committee at Murphy Private identified a PACT partner who can make the urgent repairs we deserve in all of our buildings while allowing resident voices to shape the direction of the improvements to come,” said the Murphy Private Resident Review Committee. “We’re looking forward to the next steps at Murphy Private, where residents will collaborate with the PACT partner team and begin the necessary work of providing home renovations, critical building systems upgrades, improvements to safety and security, and a better quality of life for our neighbors and community.”

“Driven by engagement and the input of NYCHA residents, this partnership is the latest stride forward in our ongoing mission to revitalize New York City's public housing,” said New York City Housing Development Corporation President Eric Enderlin.  “Congratulations to the selected development teams and residents of Murphy Private, whose collaboration will deliver comprehensive renovations to 850 households across the portfolio.”

“Settlement Housing Fund is thrilled to be part of the outstanding development team on the Murphy Private PACT project in the Bronx,” said Settlement Housing Fund President Judy Herbstman. “As providers of more than 1,700 units of housing with on-site community programs and resident engagement services in the Bronx, and as the lead developer on another PACT project in Harlem, we look forward to utilizing our experience and expertise to ensure a successful transformation for the Murphy Private project. We are especially grateful to be entrusted by residents and NYCHA to move this project forward for the benefit of thousands of residents.”

“At Wavecrest Management, we understand that the impact of dignified, affordable housing goes beyond physical buildings,” said Wavecrest Management Chief Financial Officer and RDC Development Principal Susan Camerata. “The PACT program embodies this intersection of construction and social impact. We look forward to transforming Murphy Private with holistic upgrades and targeted social services for residents.”

“For over 35 years, MDG Design & Construction has been dedicated to placing residents at the center of redevelopment discussions and our collaboration with Murphy Private will be no different,” said MDG Design & Construction Chief Executive Officer and RDC Development Principal Matthew Rooney. “We are honored that NYCHA selected us — along with our partners at Wavecrest Management, Settlement Housing Fund, and Bronx Pro Group — for this project. We promise to build meaningful relationships with residents and bring their vision for a newly upgraded Murphy Private to life.”

“Bronx Pro Group is honored to be a part of the renovation and revitalization of the homes at Murphy Private,” said Bronx Pro Group Chief Executive Officer Samantha Magistro. “We are eager to join NYCHA’s PACT program for the first time in a community that we care deeply about and build on our past efforts to preserve affordable housing in the Bronx.”

Murphy Private residents will continue working with the PACT partner team to outline and refine a comprehensive plan for their communities, with expected improvements to include heating and cooling, electrical, and waste management service upgrades; new kitchens, bathrooms, doors, flooring, and windows; enhanced security through camera, lighting, and access control system installations; and enhanced common areas, such as entryways, lobbies, and mail package areas. The partner team will address environmental health hazards, install free Wi-Fi service, and make ADA improvements at each development, in addition to hosting employment and training opportunities for Murphy Private residents.

Settlement Housing Fund is a pioneering nonprofit affordable housing developer, owner, and service provider that has worked in New York City since 1969 to create more than 8,900 apartments through 69 affordable rental and homeownership development projects. The organization currently operates 51 buildings with nearly 3,100 apartments and space for education and wellness programs, outdoor amenities, and commercial uses that improve the quality of life for tenants and residents of the surrounding neighborhoods.

MDG Design & Construction LLC is a leading affordable housing-only contracting and development firm, specializing in the rehabilitation and new construction of residential apartment buildings. Since its formation in 1988, MDG and its affiliates have been involved in the renovation and/or new construction of over one thousand properties with more than 23,500 units at a total development cost of over $3.9 billion.   

Overseeing more than 30,000 units in buildings of all sizes, Wavecrest Management is one of the largest management companies in New York City, with over 45 years of industry experience and a passion for providing opportunities that can improve residents’ lives.  

Bronx Pro Group LLC is a women-led, certified WBE firm with decades of experience as an affordable housing developer, property manager, and owner in the Bronx. Since 1998, Bronx Pro has developed over 3,100 affordable housing units, and cultivated a successful history of working with communities to transform neighborhoods by preserving private housing and city-owned assets.

The announcement of Murphy Private’s PACT partner designation is part of Mayor Eric Adams’ “24 in 24” initiative to leverage public land to advance 24 affordable housing projects in 2024, announced in his State of the City address earlier this year.  

The PACT program transitions developments from traditional public housing assistance to the more stable, federally funded Project-Based Section 8 program — unlocking funding for designated PACT partners to complete comprehensive repairs. Overall, 138 NYCHA developments (representing over 37,000 apartments) are in pre-development, are under construction, or have completed construction through the program. The Authority is on track to include 62,000 apartments in the PACT program in order to bring the benefits of comprehensive apartment repairs and building upgrades, as well as enhanced property management and social services, to more than 142,000 residents. The New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC), New York City’s municipal Housing Finance Agency, is the key financing partner for PACT. In addition to providing or arranging the financing, HDC provides ongoing asset management and compliance support for PACT transactions.   

###

About the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), the largest public housing authority in North America, was created in 1935 to provide decent, affordable housing for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers. NYCHA is home to 1 in 17 New Yorkers, providing affordable housing to 528,105 authorized residents through public housing and Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) programs as well as Section 8 housing. NYCHA has 177,569 apartments in 2,411 buildings across 335 conventional public housing and PACT developments. In addition, NYCHA connects residents to critical programs and services from external and internal partners, with a focus on economic opportunity, youth, seniors, and social services. With a housing stock that spans all five boroughs, NYCHA is a city within a city.