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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 11, 2025
CONTACT: media@nycha.nyc.gov | (212) 306-3322

As Next Step in Robust Resident Engagement Process, NYCHA Announces PACT Vote for Residents of Jacob Riis Houses I and II

Notice of Vote Mailed on February 11

From February 27 to March 28, eligible residents will be able to vote online or by mail, or in person during the final five days of voting

NEW YORK – As a next step in a robust resident engagement process, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) today announced that Jacob Riis Houses I and II in Manhattan’s East Village will hold an official resident vote to decide whether or not the development will join the Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) Program. The Notice of Vote, mailed on February 11, comes after more than a year of engagement with the Riis community to explore opportunities for investment through the PACT program. While this vote – unlike those for the Trust – is not legislated or legally required, NYCHA is facilitating the opportunity based on a direct request from Tenant Association (TA) leadership. Similar to resident votes for the Trust, a 30-day voting period will be held — expected to run from February 27 to March 28 — during which eligible residents will be able to vote online or by mail, or in person during the last five days of voting (beginning March 24) as well as directly following outreach events during the voting period. The vote will be guided by a specific set of voting procedures that clearly lay out processes and expectations for the vote, which will offer the PACT program and remaining in Section 9 as the two ballot options. Participation from 20 percent of heads of household must be received for the vote to be considered valid, and a qualified, third-party voting administrator will conduct and oversee the voting process and count.

“NYCHA’s engagement over the past year with the residents at Riis has been truly robust and remarkable,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “Working collaboratively with TA leadership and considering the needs of each development are critical steps in this process, and we are excited to continue moving forward with Riis residents on how they can modernize their homes through the PACT program should they so choose.”

“Resident leaders at Riis have advocated for their community for years, and we are excited to move forward in partnership with them as we identify a long-term solution to uplift the Riis community,” said NYCHA Executive Vice President for Real Estate Development Jonathan Gouveia. “This is another step in our community-led process to address deteriorating conditions, environmental concerns, and quality of life issues identified by our NYCHA residents.”

“I’m looking forward to the voting process, which gives residents the chance to vote for or against PACT. In my opinion, PACT is the best program to meet our needs at Riis Houses, but from the beginning of this process, I’ve always said that the decision is in the residents’ hands – whatever they decide, and whatever they feel comfortable with,” said Riis Tenant Association President Daphne Williams. “I understand people might be afraid of change under PACT, but rumors of losing your home due to PACT are untrue. PACT has the potential to provide better living conditions. Time is of the essence, so it’s important that every resident come out and vote!”

“I applaud the ongoing and tireless work of the Jacob Riis Tenant Association board for their leadership in guiding residents through a RAD/PACT educational process,” said Congressmember Dan Goldman. "The board’s dedication to providing residents with comprehensive information on their options for the future of their homes is invaluable in ensuring that all of them are equipped to make the best choices for themselves and their families. I look forward to continuing to work alongside the Tenant Association board and Jacob Riis residents as they decide the best path forward.”

“I thank the Housing Authority for laying out a fair and secure voting process, so all Riis residents can have their say and the community can collectively, democratically decide the future of Riis Houses,” said New York State Senator Brian Kavanagh, who represents Riis residents in the legislature and chairs the Senate Housing Committee. “I also thank NYCHA staff, the Tenant Association, and the many residents who have engaged in this process and helped ensure that residents have the information they need to make an informed choice. I urge all eligible residents to cast their ballot and make their voice count.”

“Soon, Riis Houses residents will undertake a critical vote about the future of their development,” said New York State Assemblymember Harvey Epstein. “I applaud the work of the Riis Houses Tenant Association and the robust engagement of the Riis tenants in its endeavor to continuously get complete information, as well as create opportunities for residents to ask questions, share concerns, and offer feedback to the community planning process. Every resident should have the opportunity to vote on the future of their development.”

If PACT is the winning ballot option, the program will bring significant funding to complete comprehensive renovations to the existing buildings or build new, modern buildings at Jacob Riis Houses I and II. Rent will continue to be calculated at 30 percent of annual income, and tenant rights and protections will be preserved. NYCHA will collaborate with residents to shape and prioritize all aspects of the PACT project plans, including apartment and building designs, infrastructure investments, environmental remediation, and enhancements to property management, security, and social services. The development will be managed by a new property management company and other partners that are selected by a Resident Review Committee with support from NYCHA and independent advisors working with the Tenant Association. NYCHA will continue to own the development and oversee the performance of the new property manager. Lastly, resident leaders will continue to be supported with independent, professional consultants, and free legal assistance will be available to anyone with questions or concerns.

If the majority of residents vote to remain in Section 9, which is how Jacob Riis Houses is currently funded, the development will continue to depend on federal funding allocated annually by Congress. NYCHA does not currently have the ability to address the extensive physical needs at Jacob Riis Houses with the financial resources available in the Section 9 program. NYCHA will also remain the property manager at Jacob Riis Houses. As under PACT, rent will continue to be calculated at 30 percent of household income.

Riis Houses is home to 3,590 residents, living in 1,769 apartments. Based on a Physical Needs Assessment (PNA) released by NYCHA in 2023, the cost of bringing the campus into a good state of repair is over $940 million. If the development enters the PACT program, it will convert to the Project-Based Section 8 program and receive significantly more federal funding.

The PACT program transitions developments from traditional Section 9 assistance to the more stable, federally funded Project-Based Section 8 program — unlocking funding for designated PACT partners to complete comprehensive repairs. Overall, 146 NYCHA developments (representing nearly 39,000 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.

Following the Notice of Vote, NYCHA’s voter engagement team will hold public information meetings, conduct door-knocking and phone-banking, and distribute informational materials to residents on-site at Riis Houses I and II. Residents are eligible to vote if they are listed on the household composition of an apartment at Riis Houses and are at least 18 years of age as of March 28, 2025, the final day of voting.

Following the 30-day voting period, the independent vote administrator will count all votes received during the voting period and Riis residents’ definitive selection will be announced.

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About the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), the largest public housing authority in North America, was created in 1935 to provide decent, affordable housing for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers. NYCHA is home to 1 in 17 New Yorkers, providing affordable housing to 520,808 authorized residents through public housing and Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) programs as well as Section 8 housing. NYCHA has 177,569 apartments in 2,411 buildings across 335 conventional public housing and PACT developments. In addition, NYCHA connects residents to critical programs and services from external and internal partners, with a focus on economic opportunity, youth, seniors, and social services. With a housing stock that spans all five boroughs, NYCHA is a city within a city.