The NYCHA Journal

The NYCHA Journal has informed and inspired residents since 1970, covering the news, contributions, and uplifting stories of the NYCHA community while providing the latest information on Authority initiatives.

Unity Towers
PACT Public Housing Preservation Trust Top Story 

Coney Island Houses & Coney Island I (Site 1B) Are Next Developments to Vote on Future of Their Homes

Michael

Residents Will Decide on Whether to Enter Public Housing Preservation Trust, Permanent Affordability Commitment Together Program, or Remain Section 9 Housing

100-Day Engagement Period Has Begun, To Be Followed by 30 Days of Voting Overseen by Third-Party Voting Administrator at Each Development

On April 8, NYCHA announced that Coney Island Houses and Coney Island I (Site 1B), colloquially known as Unity Towers, are the next developments to hold official votes, giving residents a say in the future of their homes. The voting process — first launched at Nostrand Houses in 2023 and followed by Bronx River Addition earlier this year — will provide NYCHA residents with an opportunity to choose whether their development should enter the Public Housing Preservation Trust or join the Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program, both of which leverage alternative funding streams available through the federal government. Residents can also choose for their development to remain Section 9 housing.

One hundred days of public engagement began with the Notice of Vote sent to residents at both developments on April 5, and will be followed by a 30-day voting period — expected to run from July 17 to August 15 — during which residents will be able to vote online or by mail, or in person during the last 10 days of the voting period beginning August 6. A qualified, third-party election administrator will conduct and oversee both elections.

“Coney Island Houses and Unity Towers are due for major capital investments and upgrades, and now the 700 households who live there will get to decide their futures,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “As someone who grew up on the edges of homelessness, I know the impact that the quality of your home can have on the quality of your life. I encourage all residents to get engaged in the process and exercise their voice in the future of their homes.”

“Through the voting process, over 700 NYCHA households in Brooklyn will have the opportunity to weigh in on how their homes are funded and maintained in the future,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. “I look forward to seeing which model Coney Island and Unity Towers residents select, as these votes set the stage for the next phase in these two developments’ histories.”

“It’s great to see the resident engagement and voting process kick off at Coney Island and Unity Towers, knowing it means we’re one step closer to addressing the critical capital repairs that families deserve,” said Executive Director for Housing Leila Bozorg. “The start of this engagement process also marks the halfway point towards the Mayor’s 24 in 24 housing initiative, which will ultimately build and preserve more affordable homes, in more neighborhoods, for more New Yorkers.”

“It’s an exciting time for NYCHA residents at Coney Island Houses and Unity Towers,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “Following in the footsteps of Nostrand Houses and Bronx River Addition, residents of these two Brooklyn developments will have the chance to make their voices heard. Collectively, they will decide which funding model best suits the needs of their development, and what the future holds for their homes.”

“I’ve always said if you want to know what NYCHA needs, just ask the residents,” said New York City Council Member Justin Brannan. “It’s simple. When you empower residents and give them a say, you can’t go wrong. Now it’s time for Coney Island Houses and Unity Towers to decide what they want. This process provides an unprecedented opportunity for residents to determine the future of their developments. The power is in their hands right where it belongs. Whether it’s the Trust, PACT, or remaining Section 9, the decisions made here will not only matter to the community today but for the future of public housing across New York City and the nation. I’m excited to see what the residents decide.”

Home to 1,040 residents in 530 apartments, Coney Island Houses has an estimated 20-year capital need of over $230 million, while Coney Island I (Site 1B) is home to 447 residents in 192 apartments and has an estimated 20-year capital need of $83 million. NYCHA estimates needing nearly $80 billion for repairs across its portfolio.

The New York City Public Housing Preservation Trust is 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 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 ensuring residents always 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. The Authority is on track to include 62,000 apartments in the PACT program in order to bring the benefits of comprehensive apartment repairs and building upgrades, as well as enhanced property management and social services, to more than 142,000 residents.    

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 receiving more than 300 comments from members of the public. 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. The public engagement periods launching at both Coney Island Houses and Coney Island I (Site 1B) are a part of Mayor Adams’ “24 in 24” initiative to leverage public land to advance 24 affordable housing projects in 2024, announced in his State of the City address earlier this year.