Relocation Services

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Customer Contact Center

MyNYCHA

Apartment Inspections

Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy

Clean NYCHA

Community Health

Digital Vans

Domestic Violence

Emergency Management

Heating Season

Homeownership Program

Asbestos

Lead Safety

Lead-Based Paint Inspections

Micromobility

Mold Busters

NYCHA Journal

Parking

Pay Rent

Permanent Exclusion

Pest Control

Policies & Procedures

Repairs Process

Residents Vote

REES

Reasonable Accommodation

Relocation Services

Senior Programs

Smoke-Free NYCHA


Resident Relocation At-a-Glance

Overview: NYCHA’s Resident Relocation Services Department (RRSD) provides relocation and moving services for residents required to temporarily relocate from their apartments due to repairs or the abatement of environmental hazards (lead, mold, or asbestos); major modernization; or emergencies, such as a fire or flood.  Residents do not pay any fees associated with the relocation.

Relocated residents are provided the following:

Advance Notice: Reasonable advance notice of the need to relocate will be provided to residents, as necessary.  RRSD will reach out to residents directly to initiate the relocation process.

What to expect:

RRSD contacts resident to complete necessary documentation and conduct an intake and move interview to determine relocation needs. (e.g., reasonable accommodations, etc.).

Relocation date is agreed upon; property management and other stakeholders are notified.

Resident is relocated to another NYCHA apartment or hotel, as applicable.

RRSD collaborates with property management or Healthy Homes to provide resident with necessary   updates on original apartment readiness.

Resident Support: We provide comprehensive guidance to residents who need to relocate. This includes helping them during the initial interviews, finding comparable NYCHA apartments for them to move into, assisting them with moving preparations, and offering additional support as necessary (e.g., social services referrals).

Right to Return: Residents have a guaranteed right to return to the same unit or a comparable replacement unit, which may be another apartment in the same building or development. Residents may also be offered the opportunity to remain permanently in their relocation apartment.

Expenses: NYCHA will cover reasonable expenses for affected residents, including moving expenses (storage when required), any increased housing costs (including utility, phone, cable, internet connection/disconnection/ reconnection and/or transfer fees), and meals and transportation costs for hotel stays only.

RRSD will help provide the following accommodations to residents:

Hotels: Residents may be relocated to a hotel for a maximum of two weeks.

NYCHA Public Housing Apartments: NYCHA may also relocate residents and their authorized household members to a temporary apartment while their original apartment is being rehabilitated.

Moving Services:

Professional packing and unpacking of resident belongings to the relocation apartment or storage units and back to the original apartment after repairs are complete.

Secure and timely transportation of resident belongings to the relocation apartment and back to the original apartment after repairs are complete.

Resident Reminders:

Make sure your family composition is up to date and accurate.

Make sure your pets and assistance animals are registered with NYCHA.

Make sure your annual recertification is up to date.

Return your apartment keys to management immediately after your move to the temporary apartment.

RRSD aims to ensure a seamless relocation process!

For more information or any additional questions, please call (212)-306-3057 or email rrsd@nycha.nyc.gov and ask to be connected to your RRSD Borough Coordinator.

Frequently Asked Questions

RRSD’s mission is to provide residents whose apartments are undergoing critical repairs and renovations with the highest quality of relocation support services. By offering our services, we aim to minimize any disruption and stress caused by the need to relocate. NYCHA is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of residents during the renovation process and appreciates their patience and understanding. Below are frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding relocations and RRSD’s services.

Can residents stay with a relative until repairs are done instead of relocating to another apartment? Will movers be able to move residents’ items to their relatives’ home and back to their apartment?
NYCHA recommends that residents allow NYCHA to relocate them to another apartment or hotel (as applicable). However, if a resident declines NYCHA’s services and would like to instead live with friends or relatives, they must coordinate this request with RRSD. NYCHA will handle these requests on a case-by-case basis. Residents should contact RRSD to discuss their request to live with friends or family.

If a family is currently in a one-bedroom but their family composition requires a two-bedroom apartment, will they be relocated to an apartment consistent with their family composition?
Residents will be offered an apartment that is appropriate for their family size, based on the current authorized household size.

Can residents keep their current mailing address and have access to their original apartment?
It depends on the nature and extent of the repair or abatement work being performed at the original apartment or building/development. If the circumstances permit, NYCHA may allow relocated residents to keep the keys to the entrance of their original building to continue to access their mailboxes. However, NYCHA strongly encourages residents to temporarily change their address with the United States Postal Service (USPS) so that they can receive mail at their new address for the duration of the relocation. The RRSD relocation liaison will be able to assist residents with changing their address with the USPS.

If an appliance gets damaged during repair or abatement work, will NYCHA commit to replacing it with a new appliance?
Apartments will be made move-in ready upon return, including making sure the appliances are working. In addition, all relocation apartments will also be inspected by NYCHA before residents are relocated to ensure the apartments are move-in ready.

Will NYCHA work with residents to ensure that any relocation takes into consideration the variety of issues residents may face, such as children in school, health concerns, and doctors’ appointments?
NYCHA is committed to working with residents to discuss any individual issues or concerns they may have regarding the relocation and will try to accommodate their needs.

Will NYCHA move and install air conditioners in the temporary apartment at no cost if the tenants have those air conditioners in their current apartment and then return them to their permanent apartment?
If a resident has an air conditioner in their current apartment, it can be moved with their other belongings to the relocation apartment and returned to their original development when the apartment is ready to be reoccupied. NYCHA will cover re-installation fees.

What is the reimbursement procedure if movers damage residents' furniture? Will residents get reimbursed for the item(s) that were damaged?
If the relocation requires the use of movers, NYCHA will provide movers to move residents’ belongings. Each moving company has a separate policy in place for any damages that may occur to residents’ belongings during the move. NYCHA’s liaison assigned to the relocation can share the policy with each resident as they are assigned. If there are any issues resolving a claim, residents can contact the relocation liaison to try to resolve the issue.

Can heavy furniture remain in the apartment covered instead of being moved to the temporary apartment?
NYCHA will handle these requests on a case-by-case basis. Residents can reach out to the RRSD relocation liaison to address these requests. However, in most cases NYCHA will require that all furniture be moved.

Will NYCHA pay for transferring landlines, cable, internet, and associated costs to the relocation apartment and the costs associated with returning those services to their original apartment?
Depending on the type of relocation, and as necessary, NYCHA will cover re-installation fees, both to the relocation apartment and upon return to the original apartment.

Can residents freeze their Con Edison accounts instead of canceling them?
Con Edison may allow residents to suspend or close their accounts for their apartments for the duration of the relocation. If needed, the relocation liaison can assist residents in completing the steps to suspend or close their account.

Will relocated residents be required to pay for electricity in their relocated apartment?
Residents will not pay for electricity if they are relocated to an apartment in a master-metered building.

Why can’t the apartment or building be fixed with residents in place?
Relocations are usually due to the extensive repairs needed and NYCHA’s determination that it is not safe for residents to remain in their apartments while work is being completed.

What kind of assistance will be provided to residents pre-relocation, during their relocation process, and post-relocation?
For planned relocations, the RRSD liaison will meet with residents to assess their needs, identify their preferences, and develop a hands-on, customized relocation plan based on their needs, preferences, and availability.

Will residents be kept up to date on the progress regarding the work?
Depending on the length of the relocation, NYCHA may meet with residents regularly and may also provide written communications to keep them informed about the progress of the construction. There may also be preconstruction, quarterly, and biweekly meetings to keep tenants informed along the way.

Will residents’ rent be impacted by the relocation?
No. Residents’ rent will remain set at 30 percent of gross household income (and residents whose rent is set at a “Flat Rent” rate would remain at the Flat Rent rate).

Will residents have to sign a new lease?
Residents may be required to sign a new lease for the relocation apartment. As stated above, residents will have a right to return. RRSD will provide residents with more specific information depending on the situation.

Will residents be required to pay rental fees for the relocation apartment?
No. Residents are not required to pay rental fees. If residents see additional charges on their monthly rent statements, they should contact their relocation liaison. NYCHA will work with residents on a case-by-case basis.