Residents Decide the Future of Their Homes at Isaacs Houses

On March 24, NYCHA announced the final results of the resident vote at Isaacs Houses. Residents have weighed in on the future of their homes and have opted to remain under the traditional Section 9 model. The Manhattan development’s residents began voting online and by mail on February 13. In-person voting was available to eligible residents from March 12 through March 16, 2026. After the initial tally was conducted and preliminary results were announced on March 17, mail-in votes postmarked no later than the final day of voting were accepted and counted toward the final results. A total of 36 additional mail-in votes were received, and the voting results will be certified by a third-party election administrator. 

Based on the final tally, residents from Isaacs Houses have elected to keep their development under the traditional Section 9 model. As a result, it will not be converted to Project-Based Section 8 through the Trust or PACT program at this time. Traditional Section 9 receives capital and operations subsidy from the federal government, which has disinvested in public housing in New York City and across the nation for several decades. 

“Five hundred and twenty-six out of 869 eligible Isaacs Houses residents made their voices heard in this election, and of those, 309 voters chose to remain in the Section 9 funding system rather than convert to the more stable Section 8 system with a path to comprehensive renovations,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning Leila Bozorg. “I appreciate all who came out to participate in a decision that impacts the future of their community — resident voices must remain at the center of our work to deliver for NYCHA residents.” 

“We remain dedicated to working closely with the residents of Isaacs Houses,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “While the option they selected will not unlock the necessary funding to complete comprehensive renovations to the development, we are resolute in our dedication and service to all of the residents who call Isaacs home.” 

The final, certified results yielded a total of 526 resident votes, including 399 heads of household, representing 61 percent of all eligible voters and 63 percent of heads of household from the development. By the election administrator’s count, the residents of Isaacs Houses have elected to remain Section 9 with a total of 309 votes, while 204 residents voted to join the Public Housing Preservation Trust and 12 voted to enter the Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program. One ballot could not be counted due to unclear voter intent. The development will remain part of the traditional Section 9 model. 

NYCHA estimates that nearly $80 billion is needed to bring properties across its portfolio into a good state of repair, with Isaac Houses’ 20-year capital needs estimated to be nearly $248 million. 

According to the official voting procedures, 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. 

NYCHA’s Voter Engagement Team conducted 100 days of engagement at Isaacs Houses, which included door-knocking, phone-banking, and distribution of physical materials to residents. Seven public information sessions were held to explain the vote and ballot options to residents. These and other engagement efforts amounted to nearly 1,300 total touchpoints with a total of 869 eligible voters. Following Nostrand Houses, Bronx River Addition, Coney Island Houses and Coney Island I (Site 1B), Hylan Houses, Randall Avenue-Balcom Avenue, and Throggs Neck Addition, Isaacs Houses is the eighth NYCHA development to hold a vote of this kind, in which residents had the opportunity to cast their ballots regarding the future of their homes