Matt Chaban profiles John Rhea, NYC Housing Authority Chairman, and his efforts to improve the city's last bastion of affordable apartments.
Dependent on the federal government for its financing, NYCHA has been heading in a downward trajectory as the rest of the city has been booming. Its problems, spread among 178,000 apartments in 334 complexes scattered across all five boroughs, have been headline fodder for the city's tabloids of late.
Tapped three years ago to fix issues with the agency and its housing stock by Mayor Bloomberg, Rhea, a former managing director at Barclays, speaks with Chaban about his frustrations in trying to solve problems that he admits are grave, including a maintenance backlog that tops $6 billion, and is expected
to balloon to $14 billion in the next three years.
"Is there enough time, resources or authority to make a difference?" asks Chaban.
"Despite widespread praise from housing advocates, many question whether
or not Mr. Rhea can truly effect the change he speaks constantly of.
After decades of disinvestment, no one person could turn around NYCHA in
four years."
FULL STORY: With Public Housing Under Attack, Can An Ex-Lehman Banker Save New York’s Last Affordable Apartments?
How Atlanta Built 7,000 Housing Units in 3 Years
The city’s comprehensive, neighborhood-focused housing strategy focuses on identifying properties and land that can be repurposed for housing and encouraging development in underserved neighborhoods.
Museum of Public Housing Opens in Chicago
The museum highlights the history of public housing in the United States using displays intimately woven with family artifacts.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions