Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, and interim New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt announced earlier this month that Phase I planning for critical capital work has begun to replace 335 elevators at 20 NYCHA developments, as part of a $300 million funding agreement with the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) that was signed in April 2022.
Nearly 34,000 residents living in almost 16,000 apartments will benefit from improved elevator service at the 20 developments, which include six senior-designated campuses, according to a January 6th press release.
Consistent elevator service is particularly important for seniors and residents with mobility impairments; NYCHA has over 78,000 residents above the age of 62, and nearly 40 percent of NYCHA households are headed by a resident over the age of 62. NYCHA elevators also serve more than 31,000 mobility impaired residents.
Locally, four NYCHA developments – three in Senate District 19 – are on the list for repairs, with a total cost of $78.8 million, and estimated completion dates ranging from July 2026 to December 2027.
State Senator Roxanne Persaud said, “I’m proud to have fought for the $300 million in State capital funding that will support critical upgrades to elevators at NYCHA properties across New York City. Of the 335 elevators being replaced, 72 will be at three properties currently in Senate District 19; 32 elevators at Nostrand Houses, 36 at Sheepshead Bay and four at Woodson Houses.”
Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein said, “Elderly and mobility challenged constituents living in the Sheepshead and Nostrand apartments have been practically held hostage by repeated outages of an antiquated elevator system.”
The elevators at Brownsville’s Tilden Houses (282 Dumont Avenue) will also have 16 elevators replaced, with an estimated completion date of December 1, 2027.
The elevators in the plan are old and are at or beyond their useful life of 15 to 20 years.
The Hochul administration is committed to preserving the city’s housing stock, as New York faces a dire shortage of safe and accessible housing.