The New Flint: Investigation Shows Need for Independent Monitor & Reforms at NYCHA

The New Flint: Investigation Shows Need for Independent Monitor & Reforms at NYCHA

Senator Jeff Klein has long been a reliable watchdog over the New York City Housing Authority by issuing numerous investigative reports that have exposed the deplorable conditions plaguing many developments. Upon learning that NYCHA broke federal regulations and local law by not properly inspecting some 4,200 apartments for lead paint while its leadership falsified documents to hide their failures, Senator Klein once again sprang into action.

His recent investigation, The New Flint, draws parallels to the Flint, Michigan water crisis in 2014 and the dereliction of duty of public officials to keep thousands of vulnerable citizens safe from serious dangers of lead exposure. The scathing report found that not only did NYCHA staff largely fail to inspect for lead paint, once they were alerted of the situation from tenants, the vast majority of the time staff still failed to act.

After collecting hundreds of surveys from NYCHA residents, Senator Klein found that nearly 63% of respondents had peeling or chipping paint in their apartments. The survey also found that 68% of apartments with children under the age of six were not inspected for lead paint. For those residents who found lead paint in their apartment, an alarming 79% reported that housing authority staff did nothing to remediate the situation, thus further endangering the health and wellbeing of New Yorkers. For those who have complained to NYCHA staff about their respective issues, more than half said they are still waiting for their voices to be heard.

In response to these shocking revelations, Senator Klein last week shepherded two of his bills through the State Senate that will bring oversight, transparency and accountability to the troubled housing authority. One bill would create a state independent monitor that will ensure NYCHA is spending its money wisely and intervene if projects are being mismanaged. The other piece of legislation will empower the New York City Council to obtain reports from NYCHA regarding the overall conditions local tenants are experiencing. Other proposals Senator Klein is pursuing include creating an incentivized system for speedy repairs in apartments as well as requiring 311 to accept tenant complaints instead of directing calls back to NYCHA.

You may read The New Flint in its entirety here.

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