NYCHA tenants sue city housing agency over lack of transparency on building violations
The lawsuit argues that tenants in private housing have access to this type of information through an online system, but NYCHA residents do not, making it harder for them to improve their living conditions.
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Three New York City public housing residents are taking the city’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) to court, claiming that the agency is failing to provide public housing tenants with access to critical building violation information, such as issues with mold or broken heating.
The lawsuit argues that tenants in private housing have access to this type of information through an online system, but NYCHA residents do not, making it harder for them to improve their living conditions.
According to the lawsuit, HPD’s lack of transparency has left many NYCHA residents in the dark about the conditions of their buildings.
“I wish I could sue,” said NYCHA tenant Auria Felix, expressing the frustration felt by many of her neighbors.
One long-time resident, Valberg Krauser, who has lived in NYCHA housing since 1956, shared her experience with ongoing maintenance delays.
“I need a plasterer and a painter, and they told me I have to wait until September of 2025,” Krauser said. Felix added her own account, noting, “Three years ago, there was a hole in my kitchen, and I had 40 mice.”
The lawsuit highlights a recent New York state law requiring HPD to make NYCHA building violations publicly available, just as they are for private housing. Yet, plaintiffs claim HPD has not complied, pointing to HPD's online system, which reportedly lists public housing properties as “under NYCHA’s jurisdiction” instead of showing detailed violation data.
In a statement, an HPD spokesperson commented, “We cannot comment on active litigation, but we are reviewing the suit and—most importantly—want to reassure New Yorkers that our top priority is keeping them safe in their homes. Significant data about housing conditions in public and private housing is already available online, and we are working to further strengthen transparency into how we’re keeping New Yorkers safe.”
Advocates for NYCHA residents argue that improved transparency could make a substantial difference for those struggling with basic repairs.
