NYCHA PACT plan rejected

It’s official: residents of Isaacs Houses are staying in the Section 9 public housing model, according to election results from the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA).

The Manhattan development had three options: keep Section 9, convert to Project-Based Section 8 through the Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT), or choose the Public Housing Preservation Trust, which would have unlocked additional funding for repairs and renovations.

While Isaacs Houses has about 1,100 residents, only 869 were eligible to do so. Of those who voted, 309 residents chose to remain under Section 9, while 204 supported conversion to the Trust and 12 voted for a PACT conversion. One ballot was invalidated due to unclear voter intent.

Voting occurred throughout February and March but conversations around the decision to switch were in the air for months at Isaacs. Many reports, including THE CITY’s story about Saundrea Coleman, documented residents’ skepticism of the program and their advocacy against it. The Holmes-Isaacs Coalition was formed at the development to fight PACT and the Trust and demand desperately needed repairs.

NYCHA touted its own engagement efforts in a press release about the vote—it said that, for 100 days, a voter engagement team went door-knocking and phone banking, distributing fliers and conducting seven public sessions. In total, the agency recorded nearly 1,300 interactions with residents to explain voting options and encourage participation.

“While the option they selected will not unlock the necessary funding to complete comprehensive renovations to the development, we are resolute in our dedication and service to all of the residents who call Isaacs home,” said NYCHA CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt in a March 24 press release.

Nearly $248 million is needed to address Isaac Houses’ 20-year capital needs, according to the housing authority. The Upper East Side complex is the second in Manhattan to vote to keep Section 9, after Jacob Riis Houses did the same last year.

As part of the Red Hook Star-Revue’s reporting on PACT since it was announced for Red Hook West, we’ve highlighted controversies that have emerged following PACT conversions: shoddy renovations, high rates of evictions at PACT developments and persisting management complaints.

There will be no PACT vote at Red Hook West, announced by the development’s resident association president, Karen Blondel.

“RAD PACT was already in play through the federal government since 2008; it did not require a vote,” said Blondel at an information session about PACT last month. “For good, bad, or ugly, NYCHA went to resident leaders and asked them, looked at the property, the condition, and they decided which ones would go RAD PACT.”