The New York City Housing Authority’s new computer system has garnered much criticism, and even attracted a lawsuit, for improperly terminating rent subsidies for Section 8 recipients and causing them to be evicted by landlords. But according to the the New York Daily News, small landlords are also being victimized by the new $36 million computer system, dubbed “NYCHA Improving Customer Experience.”

Federal regulations require landlords to repair violations NYCHA finds in their building within 20 days of the inspection. If the landlord fails to meet the obligation NYCHA immediately suspends rent vouchers on behalf of Section 8 tenants. [more]

From left: Rendering of the Harlem Children Zone’s Academy and the DREAM Charter School in Harlem

As charter schools increase their presence in the city, they’re acquiring land from an unexpected source: the New York City Housing Authority. Crain’s reported the authority is selling the land in order to preserve public housing.

The agency has been cash-strapped since the Bush administration ceased allocation of federal subsidies to the authority, but still owns a “huge chunk” of the city’s valuable land. According to Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer the agency operates at a $42 million to $64 million budget deficit, and so it has begun selling its land for money to preserve affordable housing. The agency said that in its efforts to pursue “financial returns, socioeconomic impact and environmental sustainability” it has sold some of the land to the charter schools [more]

The New York City Housing Authority has signed a 20-year lease for
62,400 square feet of office space in the Telecom building at 470
Vanderbilt Avenue in Downtown Brooklyn. According to GFI Development,
which purchased the building two years ago, NYCHA is consolidating a
number of its offices around the city into the new location. The lease
marks the first major tenant to come to the building, now less than 50
percent occupied, since GFI bought it two years ago. [more]