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NYCHA’s out more than $55M with nearly 17K tenants behind on rent
One in 10 tenants aren't paying rent; some are withholding their payments in protest
New York’s public housing authority is out of pocket $55.3 million in tenant rent as some residents withhold payment in protest of poor living conditions.
“They think they’re going to get my rent? They’re not getting a single penny — nothing until they repair it,” Providencia Vanderpool told the New York Post in reference to a large hole in her bathroom, which, she says, was caused by a 10-year leak. Both are yet to be fixed.
“There are people who hold back their rent because of the s–t the city does . . . It’s just bulls–t,” said Mark Alequin to the Post. His 75-year-old mother, who is four months behind on rent, lives in a NYCHA unit and he spoke to her living conditions: “You can’t ever take a shower when you are supposed to. You put on the A/C and the power trips.” Other residents say the rent, which ranges from $10 to $3,000, is still too high.
The rent shortfall comes as the New York City Housing Authority is embroiled in a lead paint testing scandal and is in need of about $32 billion to make the repairs required to its aging portfolio of about 175,000 apartments. NYCHA’s records were seized in June as part of criminal probe. [NYP]—Erin Hudson