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 

Voting Begins at Two Coney Island Developments

Michael

During the 30-Day Voting Period Running Through August 15, Residents Will Choose Between Joining the New York City Public Housing Preservation Trust or the PACT Program or Remaining Section 9

Residents Will Be Able to Vote Online or by Mail Beginning July 17 or In Person During the Final 10 Days of the Voting Period

On July 17, separate, simultaneous resident voting periods commenced at two Brooklyn developments following 100 days of public engagement at each location. The votes at Coney Island Houses and Coney Island I (Site 1B), also known as Unity Towers, were first announced in March and will each run for 30 days, providing residents with an opportunity to have a say in the future of their developments by choosing between three ballot options: joining the New York City Public Housing Preservation Trust or the Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program or remaining Section 9. While Coney Island Houses and Coney Island I (Site 1B) residents may start voting online or by mail today, they may also cast their votes in person during the final 10 days of the election period — from August 6 through August 15, 2024. A qualified, independent, third-party administrator will conduct and oversee the election.

“Over the next 30 days, residents at Coney Island can make their voices heard at the ballot box and decide the future of their NYCHA development,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “The team at NYCHA has worked hard to engage and educate Coney Island residents on all the options in front of them so they can make the most informed decision possible. Regardless of your stance, I urge all eligible residents to participate and use their vote to create the change they want to see.” 

“As the third and fourth NYCHA communities begin to cast ballots that will shape the path their developments take, as a city we’re continuing to deliver on our commitment to invest in the future of NYCHA, in partnership with NYCHA residents,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. “I appreciate all the engagement that’s already underway in Coney Island around these elections and encourage all eligible residents to share their perspective through voting.”

“We’re building on the success of the first two resident votes by facilitating simultaneous voting periods at two Coney Island developments where residents will directly help to guide the future of their homes,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “Our engagement team has been on-site for the last 100 days to conduct extensive outreach to ensure that residents are not only aware of the vote and understand the ballot options available to them, but to also drive home the significance of this moment for those who call each development home.”

“I cannot express how important it is that residents get out and vote in the next 30 days,” said Coney Island Houses Tenant Association President Lauretta Brumfield. “Whether you vote for the Trust, PACT, or Section 9, the results of this election will directly affect the future of our homes. We have an opportunity that few NYCHA residents have had before us, and we’re going to make sure we make the most of it.”

“Today marks the first day of a crucial vote for the residents of Unity Towers,” said Coney Island I (Site 1B) Tenant Association President Elizabeth Maldonado. “We have the power to shape the future of our homes — a decision that will impact generations of residents at our Unity Towers. Make sure to vote!” 

Coney Island Houses and Coney Island I (Site 1B) are the third and fourth NYCHA developments to hold a resident vote, with 767 and 328 eligible voters, respectively. It is estimated that the 20-year capital need of Coney Island Houses is $230.4 million, and $83.5 million for Coney Island I (Site 1B). NYCHA estimates that it needs nearly $80 billion for repairs across its entire portfolio.

If the residents from either development elect to join the Trustor the PACT program, that development will convert from Section 9 Public Housing to Project-Based Section 8 and leverage streams of funding available through the federal government. Residents also have the option of remaining within the traditional public housing funding structure, Section 9.

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 residents 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. Overall, 138 NYCHA developments (representing over 37,000 apartments) are in pre-development, are under construction, or have completed construction through the program. 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.

According to the official voting procedures, 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. 

During the 100-day public engagement period leading up to the voting periods at Coney Island Houses and Coney Island I (Site 1B), NYCHA’s voter engagement team held public information meetings, conducted door-knocking and phone-banking, and distributed informative materials to residents at both developments. NYCHA also hosted office hours and connected with interested residents one-on-one to explain the upcoming vote and the ballot options.

The separate, simultaneous votes at the Coney Island developments follow the inaugural vote at Nostrand Houses and the subsequent vote at Bronx River Addition. In both cases, residents voted in favor of the Trust.

The independent voting administrator will conduct the vote, receive and investigate any allegations of irregularities or misconduct, and certify the voting results. Once the 30-day voting period has ended, the independent voting administrator will tally the votes and announce the results.

Voting at NYCHA developments complements the Adams administration’s focus on creating more housing opportunities and improving quality of life for New Yorkers. “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity,” the most pro-housing zoning proposal in New York City’s history, would enable the creation of “a little more housing in every neighborhood” through a set of carefully crafted zoning changes to boost housing supply and affordability across the five boroughs. The New York City Department of City Planning (DCP) estimates that the proposal, which is currently in public review and is anticipated to be voted on by the New York City Council before the end of the year, could produce as many as 108,850 new homes over the next 15 years.