November 19, 2018“Access to affordable housing is a key issue in our borough. This important funding will repair and make accessible more than 62,000 NYCHA units throughout New York City, including in the Bronx. Our city has many challenges when it comes to NYCHA and affordable housing, so I applaud Mayor de Blasio for continuing to make this issue a priority in New York,” said Congressman José E. Serrano.“This public-private partnership is a pivotal first step in addressing the years of underinvestment in NYCHA that residents have had to endure. As someone who used to live in public housing, I know how much reliable repairs and maintenance means for a family living in these apartments, and the impact keeping them affordable has on a community. I applaud the Mayor’s office for taking advantage of this federal program to make a difference for NYCHA residents in our city,” said Congressman Gregory W. Meeks.“Addressing the long-standing needs of NYCHA’s aging public housing infrastructure is vitally necessary,” said Congressman Adriano Espaillat. “Having consistently heard from my constituents and NYCHA tenants, I have witnessed firsthand the impact of disinvestment and the toll it has on families and our community as a whole. I appreciate the commitment of Mayor de Blasio and NYCHA to tackle this problem head-on and not wavering in their prioritization of the rights of residents.”“Today’s historic proposal is a positive step toward transforming NYCHA’s aging public housing by maximizing federal funds through private investment to ensure families have a place they can be proud to call home. HUD stands ready to work with the city to advance the largest RAD conversion in the nation and preserve critically needed affordable housing for the residents we serve,” said HUD Regional Administrator Lynne Patton.“As NYCHA continues to move forward amid funding challenges and major long- and short-term capital needs, this plan provides a viable, innovative way to generate income, protect NYCHA tenants and help lead the agency into the future,” said Assembly Member Steven Cymbrowitz, Chair of the Assembly""s Housing Committee.“All residents of New York City, whether in public or private housing, deserve safe, comfortable homes with functioning appliances. I am excited to see this program kick-off, and look forward to seeing all NYCHA and Section 8 apartments at a standard residents are not just comfortable in, but proud of,” said State Senator Roxanne Persaud.“Residents are long overdue to receive the critical fixes necessary to live in safe and healthy homes. RAD was implemented by President Obama in 2011 to address urgent capital needs through in place renovation,” said Council Member Alicka Ampry-Samuel, chair of the Public Housing Committee. “Having seen renovated RAD apartments, the improvements are immeasurable. Understandably so, the public is weary of RAD because it presents elements of privatization which are often unknown. That said, as chair of the Public Housing Committee and the Council as a body, we must do everything in our power to ensure that tenant’s rights are protected, true affordability is maintained, that there is no displacement and continuously urge the administration to continue to make NYCHA a priority.”“Residents in NYCHA housing have had to wait for far too long to receive necessary renovations and capital improvements to apartment buildings.
Thank you Mayor de Blasio for committing to repairing NYCHA apartments and ensuring that the apartments remain affordable. Many residents in Washington Heights will directly benefit from the Permanent Affordability Commitment Together program. I look forward to leading a coordinated effort to guarantee that the repairs and renovations are completed on budget and on time,” said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez.“For too long, New Yorkers in public housing have been treated as second class citizens,” said Council Member Donovan Richards. “The fastest way to improve the City’s public housing stock and provide New Yorkers with the safe, decent homes they deserve is through the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. RAD keeps public housing under NYCHA ownership, but opens up new funding streams so that residents can receive long overdue repairs and a vast improvement of quality of life, which has been sorely lacking for NYCHA residents. NYCHA’s commitment to RAD through the PACT program will surely improve the lives of our public housing residents for decades to come.”“The Rental Assistance Demonstration is a powerful tool for modernizing and strengthening public housing communities in New York City, while also maintaining long-term affordability and key resident protections,” said Judi Kende, Vice President and New York market leader of Enterprise Community Partners. “Enterprise is proud to serve as co-chair of the RAD Roundtable, comprising advocates and resident leaders who are working with NYCHA to ensure resident rights are preserved as the RAD program expands.”