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HARLEM RIVER

There are 2 lots grouped here:
  • HARLEM RIVER.
  • HARLEM RIVER (2621 ADAM C POWELL BLVD). More details at OASIS.
Manhattan

Why do we think that development is pending?

This site was listed in NYCHA's draft FY 2020 plan as a site under consideration for RAD conversion, on page 157-58 https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/nycha/downloads/pdf/FY%202020%20Draft%20Annual%20Plan%20and%20Five-Year%20Agency%20Plan.pdf 

In 2011, Congress created a new way for housing authorities in cities around the country to convert their buildings from public housing to Project Based Section 8 via a program called Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD). RAD is being used in cities around the country and advocates are organizing in response.

Instead of being owned by the housing authority, after RAD conversion developments will be owned by companies. Private developers own shares of these companies; housing authorities can own shares, too. This allows the authorities to draw on possibly more secure federal funding and to bring in private money invested by individuals and companies taking advantage of tax credits, bond issues and the possibility of making money from the rent that current and future tenants pay.

NYCHA will continue to own the land and lease it to a company shared by it and a private development partner that will own the buildings. Management will be done by a private company. NYCHA can control what the company does via the land lease and via its agreement with the private development partner. 

The key tenant protections that public housing residents have in New York survive a RAD conversion: 

  • all units in the converted development must remain permanently affordable (rent cannot exceed 30% of resident income)
  • residents continue to have the same succession opportunities 
  • grievance procedures 
  • residents retain the right to establish and operate a resident organization

Developers will be required to propose a plan to train and hire NYCHA residents, and proactively engage residents on a regular basis as the project moves forward.  

But that’s just the skeleton. The details are what will shape every resident’s experience of the conversion. 

Housing authorities need specific approval from HUD to put any federally-funded public housing into RAD. HUD requires a public housing authority to have meetings with twice residents before applying and to include resident comments in the application itself. After HUD gives a preliminary green light, the housing authority needs to include the conversion in a written Annual Plan or Amendment and receive comments from residents. But HUD’s approval is just one step in the process.  

Since the program was announced, residents and advocates in New York have been working with NYCHA to hammer out an implementation plan for NYC.

Who decides what happens to this property?

Official Owner

New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) (public)
Contact: David Pristin, Executive Vice President, External Affairs ((212) 306-3401 / David.Pristin@nycha.nyc.gov)

Landmark

This property is part of Harlem River Houses. View the designation report PDF. Read more about the Landmarks Preservation Commission and the power of the Landmark designation here.

Why is this property part of NYCommons?

The property is part of a public housing development according to city data.

Request Agency Documents

The agency has to share most documents it has about this property under the New York State Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). Click to send them a request!

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