NYCHA Maintains Heat Season Performance Metrics & Invests $250M+ in Heating Infrastructure

Following the close of the 2024-25 heat season on May 31, NYCHA announced a continuation of heating service performance for residents throughout the winter months. As a result of the 2019 Agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), during the 2024-25 winter heating season, the Authority observed an 11 percent total decrease in heat or hot water outages when compared to the 2021-22 season and achieved a 7.15 average restoration time — hours ahead of the HUD requirement of 12 hours for the sixth year in a row, or every year since the signing of the Agreement. NYCHA also made over $250 million in capital heating infrastructure investments to improve heat service delivery for nearly 20,000 residents at 10 developments across the five boroughs.

“As a key pillar area of the 2019 HUD Agreement, consistent and reliable heat delivery for our residents during the winter months is a top priority for NYCHA,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “NYCHA heating technicians work around the clock to reduce the number of service disruptions and the duration of outages. The Authority prides itself on its responsiveness throughout the winter heating season and its prioritization of vital heating infrastructure investments, and preparations are already underway to continue unwaveringly serving our residents throughout the colder months beginning this October. I’d like to extend my sincere gratitude to the dedicated NYCHA staff that work tirelessly throughout the winter heating season, as well as the off-season, to keep residents warm and comfortable in their homes.”

“During the 2024-2025 winter heating season, our dedicated heating staff worked tirelessly to keep NYCHA residents warm in their homes,” said NYCHA Chief Operating Officer Eva Trimble. “This past season, we maintained an average restoration time that is well ahead of the HUD requirement. Now that the season has concluded, we will begin the process of diligently servicing heating infrastructure and equipment to ensure the best performance possible in advance of the 2025-2026 season.”

“NYCHA continues to face mounting physical needs and much of the Authority’s heating infrastructure is unfortunately past its useful life, which makes the strategic replacement of these assets more and more critical as time goes on,” said NYCHA Chief Asset & Capital Management Officer Shaan Mavani. “During the 2024-2025 winter heating season, NYCHA invested $250 million in critical heating infrastructure upgrades. As upgrades are made, we have also been able to improve our heat and hot water service quality, reliability, and resiliency by moving to new types of heating systems, such as the Variable Refrigerant Flow Heating system at 830 Amsterdam Avenue. All of these heating improvements will benefit nearly 20,000 residents during the 2025-2026 winter heating season.”

Each year, during the heating season — which runs from October 1 through May 31— all New York City building owners must maintain an indoor temperature of at least 68 degrees between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. when it’s below 55 degrees outside. From 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., indoor temperature must be at least 62 degrees, regardless of the temperature outside. Hot water must be kept at a minimum temperature of 120 degrees at the source year-round.

NYCHA’s Heating Management, Operations, Emergency Management and Services, and Asset and Capital Management departments work collaboratively throughout the year to repair and maintain the Authority’s extensive network of boilers, distribution equipment, and hot water systems that deliver heat and hot water service to public housing residents across New York City.

The 7.15-hour average restoration time for the 2024-25 season is 4.85 hours ahead of the HUD requirement of 12 hours, and 16.85 hours ahead of the 24-hour requirement for private landlords.

In keeping with the Authority’s ongoing dedication to meeting 2019 HUD Agreement obligations by investing in more sustainable, reliable, lower cost heating systems, NYCHA completed over $250 million in heating infrastructure upgrades at ten developments across the five boroughs — 830 Amsterdam Avenue, Berry, Hammel, Glenwood, Marble Hill, Mitchel, Morris I, Morris II, Morrisania, and Pink Houses — during the 2024-2025 heating season. At those developments and at other developments where heating work is ongoing, NYCHA has installed 22 new energy-efficient boilers since May 2024.