Secondary Navigation

Mayor de Blasio and NYCHA Announce Completion of Roof Replacements at Queensbridge Houses, North America's Largest Public Housing Development

December 1, 2016

$87 million at Queensbridge part of $300 million capital investment throughout NYCHA placing new roofs on 263 buildings

NEW YORK––Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Chair Shola Olatoye today announced that NYCHA completed comprehensive roof replacement work at Queensbridge Houses – months ahead of schedule – bringing major capital upgrades and improved quality of life to more than 6,500 residents.

“Leaks in old roofs are the root cause of mold and other major problems our NYCHA residents face. So we did something no administration has ever done: put $300 million of City money towards major repairs for our residents,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Today, we continue to turn a corner and fulfill our commitment to make critical investments that help protect our residents and ensure public housing continues to improve. A focus on infrastructure, investment and increased access guide our ambitious vision for clean and connected public housing.”

NYCHA replaced aging roofs, repaired exterior brickwork, and replaced window sills on all 26 residential buildings at Queensbridge Houses, the largest public housing development in North America with over 3,000 units. The work, which represents an $87 million investment, including $60 million in funding from Mayor de Blasio and $27 million in federal funding, ensures the buildings are weather-resistant, decreasing occurrence of leaks and further protecting the buildings’ infrastructure.

Originally to be projected complete in July 2017, NYCHA completed this work months ahead of schedule thanks to a proactive and collaborative relationship between the contractor, NYCHA’s construction management team and the Queensbridge Houses development staff.

NYCHA Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye said, “As we work to preserve public housing for this generation and the next, we’re strengthening our buildings with top-to-bottom upgrades – literally. Thanks to Mayor de Blasio’s unprecedented investment in comprehensive roof replacement and façade repairs across NYCHA, Queensbridge residents will see a healthier, cleaner community, with fewer leaks and improved quality of life.”

Leaky roofs are the main cause of water and moisture entering a building, and the accumulated moisture contributes to mold, leaks and physical damage to the buildings’ interior. NYCHA anticipates the new roofs and window sills and repaired brickwork will:

  • Preserve physical structures by safeguarding them from incoming moisture, saving money on repairing moisture damage
  • Eliminate core symptoms of mold in NYCHA buildings, protecting residents and improving their quality of life
  • Reduce operating expenses by making buildings more efficient

The work at Queensbridge is one part of Mayor de Blasio’s $300-million investment in roof replacement and façade repairs at NYCHA developments citywide, which will place new roofs on more than 250 NYCHA buildings. NYCHA is supplementing that investment with an additional $80 million in federal public housing capital funds.

Additional investments improving quality of life at Queensbridge Houses:

The Mayor’s major investment in comprehensive roof replacements is just one of a series of large-scale investments being made in the Queensbridge Houses community to improve residents’ quality of life for this generation and the next.

In July 2015, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the de Blasio Administration announced a $10 million investment in free high-speed broadband service in five public housing developments citywide, including Queensbridge North and South. Additionally, Queensbridge is one of 15 NYCHA developments targeted by the Mayor’s Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety, a comprehensive initiative to reduce crime and strengthen neighborhoods in the 15 New York City Housing Authority developments that accounted for 20 percent of all violent crime in the City’s public housing in 2014. City investments in the Queensbridge Houses community include:

  • $10 million to provide free broadband at 5 NYCHA developments, including Queensbridge – installation underway
  • $13.6 million for installation of permanent, state-of-the-art safety lighting as part of the Mayor’s Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety – installation underway
  • $14.7 million for installation of CCTV and higher-security Layered Access Control (LAC) Doors, which are operated by computer system and fob keys
  • $1.65 million for grounds improvements, including upgrades to recreational spaces
  • $850,000 for upgrades to the Community Center
  • $2.1 million to reactivate storefronts with additional workforce development programming

The Mayor’s Action Plan for Neighborhood safety also funds a series of initiatives aimed at increasing pathways to opportunity and creating more connected public housing communities, including mentoring and jobs programs for young adults and Community Center programming for seniors.

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney said, “I was proud to help bring $27 million in Federal funding to Queensbridge Houses to aid in the necessary replacement of roofs on all 26 residential buildings. This project will have an immediate impact on the quality of life for over 6,500 residents. By replacing the roofs, the de Blasio Administration has ensured that there will be fewer leaks throughout Queensbridge, which will help to prevent mold and physical damage to the residences. It is wonderful that they were able to complete the work six months ahead of schedule, which will make for a much more comfortable winter. Investing in Queensbridge is incredibly important. We must all work together to ensure that these buildings continue to stand and provide homes for generations to come.”

State Senator Michael Gianaris said, “Queensbridge residents have waited too long for simple repairs that will create a healthier and safer environment. These new repairs will improve living conditions and better the quality of life for thousands of our neighbors. I look forward to continuing my work to preserve public housing for present and future generations.”

Assembly Member Catherine Nolan said, “I am thrilled that NYCHA has completed this essential project ahead of schedule. Repairing and improving these roofs was long overdue. Residents of Queensbridge Houses deserve to live in a safe, healthy environment. I would like to thank Mayor de Blasio for visiting Queensbridge and making this much-needed investment. Congratulations.”

Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer said, “I’m thrilled that this $87 million city investment in our community has been completed. Queensbridge residents deserve to live in high-quality, modern buildings. These new roofs and facades will prevent leaks and mold and strengthen and preserve the nation’s largest public housing development for years to come.”

Media Contact

pressoffice@cityhall.nyc.gov
(212) 788-2958