Breaking Ground on a New Future
On June 19, NYCHA launched construction work at Ocean Bay (Bayside) Apartments in Far Rockaway, a development that houses 3,700 residents. Under U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program—known as Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) in New York City—a new public-private partnership will provide $325 million to renovate the development’s 24 buildings.
On June 19, NYCHA launched construction work at Ocean Bay (Bayside) Apartments in Far Rockaway, a development that houses 3,700 residents. Under U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program—known as Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) in New York City—a new public-private partnership will provide $325 million to renovate the development’s 24 buildings.
Renovations will include better heating systems, new roofs, safety upgrades, and new kitchens and bathrooms. A portion of the restoration funds includes $194.4 million from FEMA for resiliency improvements including rooftop boilers and solar energy panels that will help safeguard residents in storms like Hurricane Sandy and other emergencies.
Residents will not have to move while their apartments are being renovated, which should take about three years in total, instead of the 20 years it would have taken to complete this work without PACT.
“Through PACT, we are able to provide our residents with the necessary repairs while also preserving public housing for future generations,” NYCHA Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye said. “This innovative partnership will strengthen the Ocean Bay community and provide almost 1,400 New York families with much-needed upgrades and improvements for their homes.”
All of the Ocean Bay (Bayside) apartments will be converted to Section 8 and managed by Wavecrest Management in partnership with NYCHA. NYCHA will keep ownership of Ocean Bay Apartments and continue to administer the Section 8 contract, ensuring that the apartments stay permanently affordable and guaranteeing that the developments can never be privatized. All rents will remain the same. In addition, social services for residents will be provided through Catholic Charities and many local residents have already been hired by Wavecrest or will be hired for construction jobs.
Lolita Miller, Treasurer of the Resident Association and a retired 20-year NYCHA employee, participated in numerous resident engagement meetings about changes at the development. She said she’s already seen great things happening and can’t wait to see the buildings restored to their original beauty.
“NextGeneration NYCHA is coming to life—the things that were neglected are coming back,” Ms. Miller said.
NYCHA has also received HUD approval to raise $300 million for extensive repairs and quality of life improvements for 1,700 apartments in 17 developments throughout Brooklyn and the Bronx. NYCHA has begun to meet regularly with residents at these developments to make sure that not only are their questions answered, but that they have meaningful input in the process. Ms. Miller advises residents to go get involved in the process—“you get to sit at the roundtable and list all the things that need to be done and help make decisions.”