Letter to HPD Requesting Update on Administrative Code § 27-2154

Dear Commissioner Carrión,
 

We are writing to respectfully request an update on your agency’s efforts to ensure full transparency around code violations in New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments.
 

Administrative Code § 27-2154 mandates that the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) maintain public data on open code violations in NYCHA developments “in the same manner as such departments maintain data recording open code violations of private entities.” However, when residents search for a NYCHA address on HPD’s website, they are simply directed to a message stating that the property is under NYCHA jurisdiction. 

This lack of transparency has significant consequences. Our offices hear regularly from NYCHA residents reporting dangerous conditions, lack of heat, mold, leaks, vermin infestations, and other health and safety hazards. Yet these residents, as well as advocates and policymakers, are unable to access clear information about their buildings. In comparison, private housing tenants benefit from open, easily searchable records that enable them to be informed advocates for themselves and their neighbors. 

In 2021, our offices sponsored legislation that became Administrative Code § 27-2154 to reduce this resource disparity between private and public tenants. HPD, accordingly, has a public and legal duty to ensure that all New York City residents, regardless of whether they live in public or private housing, have equal access to information about their living conditions. To address these concerns, we respectfully request that HPD:

1. Provide a concrete deadline for full compliance with Administrative Code § 27-2154, including when all NYCHA violations will be published and accessible on HPD’s website.

2. Outline specific steps HPD has taken to work with NYCHA to ensure compliance, including details on any data-sharing agreements, technological upgrades, or policy changes.

3. Provide a commitment to regular public reporting on HPD’s progress in ensuring NYCHA violations are fully captured and accessible to the public.
 

We recognize that compliance may require significant interagency coordination and technical upgrades, and are eager to support any effort to achieve full implementation of this law. Please do not hesitate to reach out if we can help facilitate collaboration between HPD, NYCHA, and any other relevant entities.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.