Bronx River Addition Residents Vote to Join Public Housing Preservation Trust
The 30-day voting period concluded on April 11 following 100 days of public engagement at the development
Bronx River Addition is the second development to vote to enter the Trust, allowing the development to tap into new funding streams for comprehensive repairs
On April 19, NYCHA announced that residents of Bronx River Addition have weighed in on the future of their homes, with the development voting to enter the Public Housing Preservation Trust. Thirty days of voting concluded on April 11 following a 100-day public engagement period, with voting results certified by a qualified, third-party election administrator earlier today. Residents of the development could vote by mail, online or, during the last 10 days of voting, in person. After the initial tally of votes was conducted and preliminary results were announced on April 12, mail-in votes postmarked no later than April 11 and received prior to April 19 were to be accepted and would have been counted toward the final results, though no additional mail-in votes were received.
Bronx River Addition follows in the footsteps of Nostrand Houses as the second NYCHA development to select the Public Housing Preservation Trust — a fully public entity signed into law by New York Governor Kathy Hochul in 2022 following extensive advocacy from the Adams administration and NYCHA. The Trust is expected to unlock billions of dollars in federal funding for much-needed, comprehensive renovations at NYCHA developments to improve living conditions for residents.
“Our administration went to Albany to successfully fight for the Public Housing Preservation Trust establishment and secure NYCHA residents a seat at the table,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “Last year, Nostrand Houses residents made history, becoming the first NYCHA development to enter the Public Housing Preservation Trust, unlocking millions of dollars for critically needed renovations. Today, Bronx River Addition follows in their footsteps, delivering a win to 146 residents. As someone who grew up on the edge of homelessness, I know how important it is to have access to affordable and reliable housing. I’m celebrating this victory with Bronx River Addition residents as they gain a stronger voice in the future of their homes.”
“Thank you to the Bronx River Addition residents for all of their engagement and participation in this voting process,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. “I’m thrilled to see major improvements come to Bronx River Addition via residents’ vote for the Public Housing Preservation Trust as the avenue for major repairs and investment in their homes. This administration is committed to improving the future of NYCHA buildings and communities, and will continue to support pathways to better homes for NYCHA residents across New York City.”
“I’m excited to see the voting process at Bronx River Addition wrap up, codifying the voice of residents in having the Public Housing Preservation Trust be part of their future,” said Executive Director for Housing Leila Bozorg. “Through the process of conversion, families will receive much-needed capital improvements. This administration promised NYCHA families a stronger voice in the decisions that impact their communities, and we are excited to deliver on that promise.
“Bronx River Addition residents’ decision to join the Public Housing Preservation Trust after a 30-day election period — preceded by 100 days of public engagement — is a testament to residents’ desire for a new approach to obtaining critical funding after decades of federal disinvestment,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “We are so pleased that the Bronx River Addition community has selected an option that will pave the way for substantial improvements to their homes, buildings, campus, and ultimately, the quality of their lives.”
“We are thrilled that the residents of Bronx River Addition voted to be part of the Trust’s preservation program, joining residents at Nostrand Houses who voted to join the Trust in December,” said New York City Public Housing Preservation Trust President Vlada Kenniff. “We are excited to work with residents as part of the Trust’s growing pipeline.”
“Today is a new beginning for our vibrant, tightly knit Bronx River Addition community,” said Bronx River and Bronx River Addition Resident Association President Norma Saunders. “It’s been a fantastic experience having our residents decide how to obtain much-needed funding for long-overdue improvements to their homes, and we’re all looking forward — especially our seniors — to seeing the change that the Public Housing Preservation Trust will bring to the development.”
The final, certified results at Bronx River Addition yielded a total of 122 resident votes, including 112 heads of household. By the election administrator’s count, the residents of Bronx River Addition have selected the Public Housing Preservation Trust as the future of their homes with a total of 84 votes, while 22 residents voted to enter the PACT program, and 16 voted to remain Section 9. Bronx River Addition will now convert to Project-Based Section 8 and unlock millions of dollars in much-needed funding for capital renovations to the 226 apartments within the development’s two buildings.
NYCHA estimates that nearly $80 billion is needed to bring properties across its portfolio into a good state of repair; Bronx River Addition is estimated to have a 20-year capital need of $66 million. 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 from one of its two buildings to be relocated.
With 199 eligible voters, residents of Bronx River Addition were eligible to vote if they were 18 years or older and on the household composition. NYCHA’s Voter Engagement Team conducted 100 days of engagement prior to the 30-day voting period, which included door-knocking, phone-banking, and distribution of physical materials to residents on the Bronx River Addition campus and to the development’s relocated population. Four public information sessions were held to explain the vote and ballot options to residents, and transportation was provided for relocated residents to help facilitate their attendance. These and other engagement efforts amounted to over 520 total touchpoints with 199 eligible voters, including 92 percent of relocated eligible voters.
The residents of Coney Island Houses and Coney Island I (Site 1B,) also known as Unity Towers, will be the next to vote, following 100 days of public engagement. A 30-day voting period is expected to run from July 17 to August 15 at each of the Brooklyn developments.