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After a split decision between two funding options, residents at the Hylan Houses must head back to the polls starting Feb. 26 to break the tie.
Adi Talwar
NYCHA’s Hylan Houses in Bushwick, Brooklyn.Lea la versión en español aquí.
Tenants at the Hylan Houses, a NYCHA complex in Bushwick, Brooklyn, are in limbo—at least for the next few weeks.
In December, 175 residents participated in a vote to decide on a funding model that will help address a capital repair need of $90 million.
Initial tallies were evenly split between two of their three options: 83 tenants voted to join the Public Housing Preservation Trust and another 83 opted to convert to private management under the PACT initiative.
NYCHA confirmed on Wednesday that all votes were counted correctly, and that a runoff election must take place in the coming weeks.
“With the tie confirmed by today’s recount, we can now look ahead to a runoff vote and take another step toward positive change for the residents of Hylan Houses,” said NYCHA’s Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt in a statement. “We remain committed to this process, as guided by the official voting procedures, and will continue to work with Hylan residents every step of the way.”
The public housing complex was the fifth development since November 2023 selected to head to the polls. However, it is the first time the outcome resulted in a tie.
On the ballot were three choices. The first option was the Public Housing Preservation Trust, an initiative signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul in June 2022. The Trust would convert public housing properties under the federally funded Section 9 model to another, more lucrative funding stream called Project Based Section 8, through which bonds can be issued to fund repairs.
So far, three developments—the Nostrand Houses in Sheepshead Bay, Bronx River Addition Houses in Soundview and Unity Towers in Coney Island—are in the process of transitioning to the Trust after a majority of votes were cast for it.
The second option is the Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program. Introduced in 2016, the PACT program, similar to the Trust, converts properties to the Project-Based Section 8 program, but new, private management is selected to take over maintenance and operations.
Typical renovations at PACT sites include new windows, kitchens, bathrooms and security systems within the first two to three years of conversion. So far, 139 developments are either in the planning and engagement phase, under construction or have seen repairs completed under PACT.
While there are existing PACT sites, the Hylan Houses would be the first to opt for the program through a collective vote.
Option three on the ballot was to remain as a Section 9 property. The Coney Island Houses is the only development asked to vote so far where a majority of tenants chose this route. Nine Hylan tenants opted for it.
This time around, there will only be two options for Hylan tenants to choose from: PACT and the Trust.
Between Feb. 26 and March 27, tenants can again vote online and by mail. In-person voting will begin on March 18, during the last 10 days of voting.
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