NYCHA’s Targeted Relief for Pests
NYCHA staff is actively working to address pest issues for residents. There are numerous strategies the Authority has implemented to improve pest conditions at NYCHA developments, including Targeted Relief.
Targeted Relief focuses on inspecting apartments where residents have had two or more verified pest complaints and making repairs during the inspections. It also includes addressing adjacent apartments and common areas. As part of the January 2019 HUD Agreement, NYCHA agreed to make improvements to reduce the pest population at its developments.
Targeted Relief began as a program in NYCHA’s Healthy Homes Unit under the management of Prevention and Intervention Strategies (PAIS). It is now managed through NYCHA’s new Waste Management and Pest Control Department.
Targeted Relief inspections are conducted by teams that include a Housing Exterminator, a Maintenance Worker, and a Team Leader. During inspections, the Targeted Relief teams note where work related to integrated pest management (IPM) inspections is required, such as larger repairs for cabinetry, walls, and structural areas by skilled trades groups that include carpenters and plasterers. Inspections rely on IPM, which provides a long-term solution by addressing the underlying causes of pest infestations. Instead of using chemicals first, exterminators HEPA vacuum pest debris; seal holes to block points of entry; and use gels, bait stations, and traps.
Installing door sweeps to keep pests out. Note: Photo taken pre-COVID-19. 
An exterminator pre-baiting in an apartment. Note: Photo taken pre-COVID-19. 
Exterminators inspecting behind a stove. Note: Photo taken pre-COVID-19. 
A maintenance worker caulking in an apartment. Note: Photo taken pre-COVID-19. 
Plastering a wall in an apartment. Note: Photo taken pre-COVID-19.
“It’s all about exclusion and prevention, getting pests out and keeping them out, then keeping up with the maintenance of our IPM work,” said Ruben Nieves, NYCHA’s Deputy Director of Pest Control.
If there are any issues that can’t be resolved during the inspection, the teams create follow-up work orders to address those issues. Along with this work, the teams also provide residents with educational materials to help them maintain pest-free environments in their homes.
NYCHA staff completed the first priority group of 2,645 apartments on December 31, 2019 – these were apartments that still had open pest work orders since January 31, 2018. The staff has addressed 3,435 primary units, and there are approximately 3,500 adjacent units that need to be inspected and treated. Work was delayed on the second priority group of 600 apartments due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which halted non-emergency work in apartments. However, staff resumed inspections in September 2020. As of the end of September, staff have addressed 6,094 apartments just for Targeted Relief alone. Adjacent apartments for the second priority group include approximately 3,564 apartments.
Caulking kitchen cabinets to prevent pests from entering. 
Caulking kitchen cabinets to prevent pests from entering.
Many NYCHA staff members have contributed to the Targeted Relief efforts and improving pest conditions for residents.