“It’s about time the city and the federal government came together to deliver for the residents of the New York City Housing Authority.
“Today’s agreement is by no means a panacea, but it does represent progress for the more than 400,000 residents of our city’s public housing who for decades have gone without basic necessities—like heat, hot water, mold abatement, lead testing, garbage pickup and others—and have been neglected by all levels of government.
“The New York City Housing Authority is broken. Today’s agreement is the first step towards fixing it, while also keeping the city in control of NYCHA and providing it with billions of dollars in new funding that the agency so desperately needs.
“As we move forward, it is important that we keep the rights of the tenants of public housing at the forefront of the decision-making process. Timelines and deadlines must respect the rights of the families who live within NYCHA and who need our help. The city, HUD and the newly-appointed monitor must prioritize the elimination of bureaucratic waste, spend money swiftly and efficiently, and make necessary repairs with a true sense of urgency.
“This agreement must be the spark that finally brings real reform to the New York City Housing Authority and dignity to its residents. After years of inaction, we can no longer accept excuses,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.