The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) today commenced the official start of resident voting at Bronx River Addition following 100 days of public engagement at the Bronx development. The vote, which was announced for the site in December 2023, will run for 30 days, providing an opportunity for residents to have a say in the future of their development by choosing between three ballot options: joining the New York City Public Housing Preservation Trust or the Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program or remaining Section 9. While Bronx River Addition residents may start voting online or by mail today, they may also cast their votes in person during the final 10 days of the election period — from April 2 through April 11, 2024. A qualified, independent, third-party administrator will conduct and oversee the election.
“From the start of this administration, we have worked to empower NYCHA residents to have a voice in the future of their homes,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “We heard these voices loud and clear at Nostrand Houses as they voted ‘yes’ to joining the Public Housing Preservation Trust, and today it is Bronx River Addition’s moment to take control of their futures. To all the residents at Bronx River Addition, you have heard your options and now is the time to vote. Whether you’re on-site or relocated, you have a say in this process, and we encourage you to cast your ballot early in this historic vote.”
“This administration has been clear: NYCHA residents must be able to plan the future for their communities and homes,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. “As with the successful vote at Nostrand Houses, NYCHA residents at Bronx River Addition will choose how to renovate and repair their homes, and show the power of ‘building together’ as a means of addressing our housing crisis.”
“I am excited to see this opportunity for residents at Bronx River Addition to have a say in how their homes are repaired and preserved,” said Executive Director for Housing Leila Bozorg. “Resident voting showcases the value this administration puts on incorporating NYCHA resident voices in decisions that will shape their communities for years to come.”
“We are excited to build on the momentum of our first resident vote with the start of voting at Bronx River Addition, during which resident participation will help to guide the future of their homes,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “Over the past 100 days, our engagement team has conducted extensive outreach to ensure that residents understand the ballot options available to them, and we encourage residents to make their voices known at the polls.”
Bronx River Addition is the second NYCHA development to hold a resident vote, with 199 eligible voters. It is estimated that Bronx River Addition has a 20-year capital need of $66 million. NYCHA estimates that it needs nearly $80 billion for repairs across its portfolio. Bronx River Addition has also dealt with infrastructure issues related to its aging and deteriorating heat distribution system in recent years that have caused tenants to be relocated in one of its two buildings. At the time of relocation, NYCHA had not secured the funds to make the necessary capital improvements.
If the residents choose through the vote to join the or the program, Bronx River Addition would convert from Section 9 Public Housing to Project-Based Section 8 and leverage streams of funding available through the federal government. Residents also have the option of remaining within the traditional public housing funding structure, Section 9.
The New York City Public Housing Preservation Trust is a public entity established by Mayor Adams and NYCHA in May 2023 and authorized by a law signed by New York Governor Kathy Hochul last year following extensive advocacy from the Adams administration and NYCHA. A fully public entity, the Trust is expected to unlock billions of dollars in federal funding for comprehensive renovations at NYCHA developments to improve living conditions for residents. Under the Trust, a development is kept 100 percent public and converted to the more stable, federally funded Project-Based Section 8 program, while residents maintain their rights, including permanently affordable rent.
The PACT program similarly transitions developments from traditional Section 9 assistance to Project-Based Section 8 and unlocks funding for designated third-party PACT partners to complete comprehensive repairs. Since the creation of the Trust, Mayor Adams and NYCHA have taken a series of steps to establish a board and release official voting procedures, which were finalized after more than 300 comments from members of the public were received. Residents of Bronx River Addition, including those who relocated from one of the two buildings and who meet all other voting criteria, will be able to participate in the vote. Residents are eligible to vote if they are 18 years or older and part of the household composition. Participation from a minimum threshold of 20 percent of all heads of household is required for a vote to be considered valid and binding. The independent voting administrator will conduct the vote and certify the results. Once the 30-day voting period has ended, votes will be tallied and announced.
During the 100-day public engagement period leading up to the vote at Bronx River Addition, NYCHA’s voter engagement team held public information meetings, conducted door-knocking and phone-banking, and distributed informative materials to residents who live on-site and to those who were relocated. NYCHA also hosted office hours and connected with interested residents one-on-one to explain the upcoming vote and the ballot options.
The vote at Bronx River Addition comes after a vote at Nostrand Houses in the Sheepshead Bay neighborhood of Brooklyn in fall 2023. There, residents voted in favor of the Trust.
The independent voting administrator will conduct the vote, receive and investigate any allegations of irregularities or misconduct, and certify the voting results. Once the 30-day voting period has ended, the independent voting administrator will tally the votes and announce the results.
.
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.
For more information, please visit nyc.gov/nycha, and for regular updates on NYCHA news and services, connect with us via Facebook and Twitter.
.
Featured image credit: DepositPhotos.com
