PACT: ‘A Better Way of Living’ for NYCHA Residents 

In just six years, NYCHA’s Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program has generated more than $3.4 billion in capital funding for comprehensive apartment renovations and building infrastructure improvements for nearly 15,500 households across the city.  

An additional 19,700 NYCHA households are slated to receive the enhancements at properties that are currently in the process of resident engagement or pre-development for PACT. Under the initiative, public-private partnerships are created in which developments are included in the federal Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) and transition to a more stable, federally funded program called Project-Based Section 8.  

NYCHA retains ownership while leasing the land and buildings to development partners, who conduct the repairs, serve as the new on-site property manager, and provide enhanced social services and community programs for residents. At the same time, PACT ensures that homes remain permanently affordable and residents retain similar rights and protections under NYCHA’s public housing program. 

Through the series of photos below, some residents tell stories of how PACT has improved their quality of life after their apartments, buildings, and common spaces were modernized through extensive renovations. See various examples of the comprehensive work on kitchens, bathrooms, windows, living spaces, and building infrastructure. 

“The program works, and it’s made a big difference,” declared Lolita Miller, a resident of Ocean Bay Apartments in Queens since 1975. She has been an advocate for PACT on the Resident Roundtable, working to inform her neighbors of the program’s benefits. 

“It gives me great joy to see (the PACT results) and to see how it really came through on what we discussed on the Roundtable,” she said. “Seeing what I have now, it gives me more enthusiasm to move forward on this to help others.” 

Touting the development’s common area enhancements, some of which she can see from her window, Ms. Miller said, “The grounds are beautiful; the beautification is so lovely, and it’s so nice to see it when I wake up in the morning and look outside.” 

“When (PACT) came in, it changed a lot of our lives; everything was upgraded, from the bath fittings to the cabinets to the kitchen, the flooring – it’s been amazing,” said Sabrina Hill, a 17-year resident of the Bronx’s Betances Houses who also serves as vice president of the resident association. 

“I feel that due to the change, this is a better way of living,” she described, applauding the use of key fobs to enter buildings. 

“A lot of the residents are very pleased with the upgrades and the apartments; some who had moved have said they wish they could come back,” she noted, showing off some of the common area enhancements. “It’s a big shift, and we love where we are.” 

A group of developments known as the “Brooklyn Bundle” celebrated the completion of $434 million in comprehensive renovations on May 20. At one of the developments, longtime Williams Plaza resident Priscilla Rivera praised the improvements she and her mother received in their home, saying: “The apartment looks very nice; I’m happy with it. I get compliments on the apartment from people who come over.” 

With new flooring, appliances, and bathroom renovations, the home has been given a “modern look,” Ms. Rivera described. “I’ve been waiting for this for many years,” she said.  “For me, it’s a total transformation into a modern apartment.” 

Twin Parks West resident Tyrone Lott and his grandmother, Lottie Lott, are appreciative of the work done in their Bronx apartment, which received new flooring, bathroom renovations, new cabinets, and a new stove. 

“I’m happy with all of the improvements, especially the kitchen, but I love them all,” Ms. Lott said. “Everybody who comes to visit me loves the improvements in my house.” 

“The improvements gave (our apartment) more of a modern feel; we appreciated that, and we’ve now become more comfortable as well,” said Denny Rojas, who has lived with his mother, Dilenia Fermin, and other family members in their Twin Parks West apartment for about 10 years. 

“It’s more relaxing now with what’s been added,” Mr. Rojas explained. Regarding improvements to building common areas, including the playground area and a new laundromat, Mr. Rojas said, “As of right now, it’s safer and it’s better; new and improved.” 

Describing the various renovations made to building common areas at Brooklyn’s Hope Gardens, Resident Association President Gloria Estrada commented: “The lobby is nice; the floor is more open than before and the new mailboxes are better. They did a good job.” 

Sharon Nesmith, who has lived at Twin Parks West since 1984, is gratified that PACT has responded to residents’ wishes. “Since the renovations, it’s like you’ve heard the tenants’ concerns and what the tenants wanted,” she said. “It’s a great improvement from what it was when I first moved in to what it is now.”

Ms. Nesmith has been very pleased with the services of the new property management, noting: “The maintenance is excellent; if there’s a problem with your apartment, you can put a ticket in and they take care of it immediately. The team is on point and the grounds are much cleaner.” 

“We feel great about the improvements and we appreciate them so much,” said Sandra Gross, the resident association president at the Bronx’s Baychester Houses who has lived at the development for 23 years. 

Ms. Gross applauded the provision of social services under PACT, saying: “This time we have them on-site, so it’s much easier for our seniors. If they have an issue or if they can’t make it to the office, the social services can go to them.” 

“Since we’ve been in the PACT program, we feel very safe; we come out, sit on the benches, and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air,” she said. Believing that the PACT program has brought marked improvements, Ms. Gross declared: “It’s like a new breath of fresh air, like a new baby was born in Baychester!”