NYCHA held its annual public hearing recently to discuss its plans for the upcoming year and receive feedback from tenants, politicians, and advocates. One of the main topics of concern was the Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program, which has converted over 37,000 units to Project-Based Section 8 housing, generating $13.2 billion in repairs for the housing authority.
The PACT program allows NYCHA to partner with private managers to handle daily operations and tap into additional revenue streams for funding major renovations. The goal is to address the $80 billion needed for capital repairs across NYCHA’s portfolio over the next two decades. However, residents have expressed frustrations with the lack of communication and input in the conversion process.
While NYCHA has allowed residents in some developments to vote on their funding model, many PACT conversions have been decided by the housing authority without resident input. This has raised concerns about the lack of choice and transparency in the decision-making process. Additionally, some residents have questioned whether they are being offered a real choice between living in deteriorating conditions or accepting private developers for renovations.
The Public Housing Preservation Trust, another funding model, allows NYCHA to maintain management control while converting properties to Project-Based Section 8 for renovations. Unlike PACT, the Trust is a public government entity run by a nine-member board. The goal is to convert 25,000 public housing units to the Trust model.
Residents like Shaquaisa Spears and Renee Keitt have raised concerns about the lack of inclusion in the conversion process and the impact on tenant interests. NYCHA has emphasized its public engagement efforts, such as forming Resident Review Committees and holding informational meetings to involve residents in the decision-making process.
The proposal to demolish and rebuild properties like the Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea Houses has sparked controversy among residents who feel their voices are not being heard. While NYCHA has conducted town hall meetings and surveys to gauge tenant interest, some residents like Cynthia Tibbs have actively opposed the conversion to PACT.
Overall, the debate over the PACT program and other funding models highlights the challenges and complexities of addressing the capital repair needs of NYCHA developments. Residents, advocates, and policymakers continue to push for greater transparency, resident input, and accountability in these conversion processes to ensure the best outcomes for NYCHA tenants.