A looming $205 million budget shortfall due to sequester-related federal funding cuts have the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) preparing to make drastic cuts to staff and programs.
The loss of close to 10% of its funding has the NYCHA "cutting through the bone", according to Chairman John Rhea. On Wednesday, he announced how the agency is preparing to spread the pain among its many programs, reports Matt Chaban.
"Much of the cuts will come to NYCHA’s workforce, with the authority implementing a hiring freeze and also seeking to institute furloughs and possibly layoffs as well," he notes. "There will also be cuts to a number of both senior as well as community centers in NYCHA developments."
"There will be impacts to those living outside the housing projects, as well. As Crain’s previously reported, NYCHA will forgo issuing new Section-8 vouchers this year, which will leave some 5,000 families on the waitlist without any hope of winning a rent subsidy."
As the housing market recovers, and the city's dwindling affordable housing supply comes under increasing threat, the cuts to an agency that provides assistance to 650,000 New Yorkers and receives more than 80% of its funding from the federal government come at an especially inopportune time.
FULL STORY: Drastic cuts loom for NYC Housing Authority
Housing Advocates Gain More Allies on Capitol Hill, by Way of New York City
A growing number of congressional representatives serving the city of New York support aggressive public investment in housing programs.
NYC Agencies Tasked With Finding Affordable Housing Sites
Mayor Eric Adams signed an executive order that requires city departments to evaluate their properties for potential housing development.
New York Public Housing Needs $78 Billion in Repairs
A new assessment from the city’s housing agency calls for $60 billion in needed repairs over the next five years.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie