FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea Tenants Against Demolition, June 17, 2025

City Council Oversight Hearing Reveals Outrageous NYCHA Vacancy Crisis: 10,286 Units Sitting Empty

New York, NY — At today’s New York City Council oversight hearing on public housing, shocking new data revealed that the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) currently has a staggering 10,286 vacant apartments, even as over 250,000 people languish on waiting lists.

The breakdown, according to two NYCHA executives who took the stand to answer pointed questions by Public Housing Committee Chair Chris Banks and his colleagues including Council Member Alexa Avilés, is as follows:

– 5968 vacant units for renovation

– 1712 temporary off rent roll

– 1791 permanently off rent roll

– 809 units matched to tenants but not yet occupied.

An astounding 214 units (more than 10%) have been taken off the rent-roll at Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea, and are sitting vacant.

At Elliott only, 78 units are sitting vacant. These vacant units in a time of dire housing needs by low-income residents some of whom desperately need it, including victims of domestic violence is appalling.

Equally disturbing, NYCHA officials testified that reducing vacancies is “not a priority” for the agency—despite the acute housing crisis gripping the city. On average, units remain vacant for an astonishing 352 days, nearly a full year, before being reoccupied or repaired.

Of particular concern, 1,797 apartments have been permanently removed from the rent roll. These units are being held for future use as relocation housing under controversial privatization and demolition schemes at developments like Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea, raising further alarm among public housing advocates. Some of these units have been vacant for more than two years.

Categorized under the vague label “Non-dwelling,” the units removed from the rent roll—whether temporarily or permanently—represent the most troubling aspect of the vacancy problem. This euphemism serves to obscure the true number of unavailable apartments and downplays the scale of the issue.

“The real crisis is vacancy. NYCHA sets the pattern, and the real estate industry follows. When public agencies warehouse homes, private landlords learn it’s acceptable to do the same. This isn’t mismanagement. It’s policy by design.” said Renee Keitt, President of Elliott-Chelsea Tenants Association. 

“Housing crisis“ seems to be the topic of the day. However, the only housing that provides the highest protection and true affordable housing is under attack; public housing.  NYCHA is on a mission to privatize public housing; and to facilitate RAD/PACT privatization conversions, they are warehousing NYCHA units which many so desperately need.” said Celines Miranda, 2nd Vice-President of Elliott-Chelsea Tenants Association.

The hearing underscores growing concerns about NYCHA’s transparency, priorities, and commitment to public housing as a public good. In a time of dire housing shortage, especially for deeply affordable units, it is a dereliction of duty for NYCHA to warehouse units on that scale.

For press inquiries or interviews, please contact:
📧 NoDemolitionNYCHA@gmail.com

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#SaveFultonElliott | #PublicLandPublicGood | #NYCHADeservesBetter