NYCHA Annual Plan Takeaways + FEC Legal Defense Fund
Dear neighbors and allies,
NYCHA Annual Plan Hearing Takeaways
Two weeks ago, over 50 tenants and allies showed up at NYCHA's Hearing for its 2026 Annual Plan. Many testimonies called out NYCHA's privatization plans and highlighted the countless issues with the plans to demolish Fulton and Elliott Chelsea Houses. Tenants pointed out that privatization and demolition was not about building conditions and repair needs and was more about giving away land and public funds to wealthy private developers and landlords. You can watch the full recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOPoBFgvAgc.
Here are some points that were brought up:
RAD/PACT relies on Section 8 and 18 which are no more reliable or sustainable sources under the Trump administration. NYCHA needs to focus on strengthening Section 9, using its ~8000 vacant units to house people instead of focusing all their energy on RAD/PACT conversions
Tenants need to have a voice through voting and legitimate resident engagement processes for RAD/PACT. Too many tenants are harassed and coerced into conversions with inadequate protections from displacement, rent increases and unsafe living conditions during renovations.
The continued neglect, the attacks on our rights to organize, and the shift towards market housing - this is all planned to block the advances of working class people of color in NYC. This is the same playbook as segregation from a previous era.
In regards to the Elderly designated buildings plan, seniors in buildings that are mixed with people of other ages and family types have come to rely on their neighbours. Placing all seniors together without this support network they have come to rely on isolates our seniors
In regards to the proposed demolition of Fulton and Elliot Chelsea Houses:
Stop FEC Demolition has collected almost double the signatures against demolition compared to the number of tenants that selected new construction in the misinformed survey used by NYCHA and Related and Essence. The fact that NYCHA is going ahead with these plans despite clear opposition from tenants means this is not policy, this is violence.
FEC tenants demanded that NYCHA show them the proof of their claims that these buildings are 'falling apart'. HUD changed its rules so it does not require an obsolescence report to dole out Section 18 vouchers to billionaire developers - but tenants demand this evidence.
NYCHA refuses to share evidence that renovation would cost more than demolition and redevelopment, despite numerous requests to receive the information where NYCHA and Related claim the cost to rehabilitate tripled to nearly 1.9 billion. A comprehensive assessment of rehabilitation is required to back up their claims.
A resident in Chelsea expressed concern for the FEC seniors as they would be the first to be displaced from their homes under the proposed plan, experiencing at least two relocations and an over 16-year construction period. Seniors are experiencing distress and disruption in the final years of their lives.
During these powerful testimonies, NYCHA representatives essentially ignored tenants, looked away, and chatted with each other instead of listening. They might as well have been anywhere else. In fact, NYCHA Chair Jamie Rubin arrived an hour late. This is not just disrespectful negligence, but NYCHA trying to avoid the fact that tenants understand exactly what is going on. With each Annual Plan, it becomes clearer that NYCHA is prioritizing privatization and disposing of their land over the well being of tenants. We need to keep being informed, talking to each other, organizing, and showing NYCHA and the private developers they are in bed with that tenants have power despite their attempts to take it away.
FEC Seniors receive orders to vacate
The Gothamist reports that senior residents in Fulton and Elliott Chelsea Houses have received orders to vacate their units in 90 days: https://gothamist.com/news/senior-nyc-residents-at-elliott-chelsea-houses-receive-orders-to-vacate. Despite the environmental impact assessment process being forced through to approval, there continues to be consistent opposition from tenants and it's completely irresponsible to begin moving seniors out of their homes. The article captures that many seniors are worried about what is ahead.
In response, FEC tenants and allies in Chelsea have set up a legal defense fund to raise funds for legal fees to contest the demolition and the forced removal of seniors from their homes. We ask that you circulate this go fund me to your network and donate if you are able: https://www.gofundme.com/f/hnwyzz-chelsea-public-housing-legal-defense-fund.
NYCHA updates and resident survey
It is now more important than ever to be engaged with NYCHA's operations and voice your points of view. NYCHA has released a resident survey that is open until September 12. We encourage everyone to fill these out, whether you are in Section 9, Section 8, or in transition, and report the living conditions in your developments: https://campaign.nycha.nyc.gov/lt.php?x=3DZy~GE7KXSc7p7-0A1HVhShAX7Sk_UfwxkykaI3I3jO6X_7_ky.0Olr1Y2hj_~2nuY3bHHEJ3Wa
You can also sign up here to stay up to date with NYCHA's Resident and Civic Engagement division. Let's hold them accountable to their claim that resident engagement is a priority: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/M6NkIRz?source_id=7099a32d-b919-4d17-9c65-ba79f38e60bd&source_type=em&c=bFU-TCbVZ6JPgyXbWlEoGQ25UWPSJZxFaqutevB4I9j9up5Hx1NlkA==
In solidarity,
