Chair Russ’s Record of Success in Rehabilitating Residents’ Homes

NYCHA Chair Greg Russ knows that improving and preserving NYCHA’s aging buildings through PACT and Blueprint for Change aren’t risks for residents but instead bring great benefits. That’s because his efforts as head of the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority – his previous position – are bringing beautiful, modern apartments to residents there. 

A recent article in the Star Tribune describes how the federal Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program (known as “PACT” in New York City) is investing $26 million into the 60-year-old Elliot Twins development. The project, which is halfway completed, is providing residents with brand-new kitchens, bathrooms, and floors, along with a new central air conditioning system, a larger laundry room, exercise rooms, a computer room, and enhanced security. The development is also getting fire sprinklers for the first time and an upgraded fire alarm system in all the apartments. 

All the construction work is being completed in accordance with COVID-19 safety protocols. And the upgrades are being done with almost all of the residents staying in their homes during the renovations. The 14 residents who chose to temporarily leave their apartments during the renovations have been promised a “right to return” and have had their temporary relocation expenses covered by the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority.  

Some residents were initially skeptical that RAD would bring gentrification and permanent displacement. Omar Mohamed, a resident of Elliott Twins and the vice president of an organization that represents public housing residents in Minneapolis, was quoted in the Star Tribune: “That fear has gone away, at least for now. Everyone is getting upgraded units.” 

Mary McGovern, another resident and the president of the public housing resident organization, said that fear of displacement lingered for months and that she had to reassure residents that this wouldn’t be the case. “It is a whole new look in our apartments,” she said. “Now people are so happy.” 

Not only is the preservation work at Elliot Twins modernizing every apartment – it’s even adding four new apartments to the development, including apartments that are accessible for people with disabilities. 

With PACT and Blueprint for Change, NYCHA can bring similarly impressive quality of life improvements for residents. With both initiatives together, NYCHA has a comprehensive repair plan for all of its 175,000 apartments – which currently have $40 billion in major repair needs, a figure that grows at the rate of about $1 billion a year. 

By transferring the developments to the more stable project-based Section 8 federal funding, NYCHA can unlock funding to complete comprehensive repairs. The apartments remain permanently affordable and residents maintain the same rights and protections, and NYCHA continues to own the land and buildings. 

“As the largest public housing authority in the nation, NYCHA confronts complex and unique challenges, and at the same time, our size and dramatic need provide an opportunity for us to be more innovative then ever before,” Chair Russ said. “NYCHA is doing the work to transform its organizational structure and operations, and sustain compliance with a federal agreement, and now we are poised to pursue a rehabilitation plan for the entire portfolio…which can position us as a stable, sustainable resource in New York City, which we have served since 1935 and will continue to serve for generations to come.” 

Learn more about NYCHA’s work to improve the homes of its residents at nyc.gov/NYCHA.