NYCHA Repairs Audit Reveals Millions in Misuse of Funds
NYC Comptroller Brad Lander and tenant leaders recently shared a concerning audit of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). The audit shed light on potential misuse of $36.6 million in funds for small repair contracts. It was discovered that vendors often did not provide adequate proof of completing the work, resulting in dissatisfied residents living in substandard conditions.
A survey of nearly 800 NYCHA residents painted a troubling picture of tenant frustration. A third of the respondents rated repairs as “poor,” while less than half found their repairs to be “good” or better. Lander expressed his disappointment during a press conference, emphasizing that NYCHA has failed to deliver the basic quality of life that every New Yorker deserves for many years.
The investigation into payments for small repairs was initiated following the indictment of 70 NYCHA employees for corruption charges in February. These employees were accused of accepting bribes in exchange for awarding maintenance and repair contracts under $10,000. The audit focused on over 100 purchase orders from 10 developments and uncovered alarming discrepancies.
Auditors examined a sample of purchase orders from the Bronx borough office where a NYCHA employee was previously indicted for corruption. Shockingly, out of 19 purchase orders for walling around bathtubs, there was no evidence that any work had been completed. Despite this, NYCHA paid $186,446.50 for these orders. When asked for documentation to confirm repairs, officials could not provide any records.
One purchase order was found to be misclassified, as the contractor had remodeled a staff bathroom instead of installing walling around a bathtub. The lack of oversight and accountability for NYCHA contractors was clear from these findings.
To address these issues, the Comptroller’s office proposed a tenant-led feedback application, likened to “YELP for NYCHA.” This app would allow residents to rate vendors based on their maintenance work, providing real-time feedback that could influence future contract awards. While some tenant leaders expressed support for the app, there were doubts about NYCHA’s willingness to adopt it.
Princella Jamerson, a resident leader at Mill Brook Houses, acknowledged the potential of the app but questioned NYCHA’s commitment to implementing it. Lander shared similar sentiments, noting that his office would advocate for change, even if NYCHA was hesitant to embrace all recommendations.
Despite the skepticism surrounding NYCHA’s response to the audit findings, the push for greater transparency and accountability in repair contracts remains a priority for the Comptroller’s office. Residents deserve to live in safe and well-maintained housing, and it is essential for NYCHA to address these issues promptly and effectively.
