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

Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs
Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.

HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands
The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.

Conservatives’ Decongestion Pricing Flip-Flop
When it comes to solving traffic problems, the current federal administration is on track for failure, waste, and hypocrisy.

Alberta’s Orphan Well Cleanup Plan Sparks Debate Over Use of Public Funds
Alberta’s upcoming plan to address nearly 80,000 abandoned oil wells has sparked controversy over the potential use of public funds, despite government claims that taxpayers won’t be footing the bill.

Renewable Energy Overtakes Coal for First Time
Solar and wind power generated close to a third of U.S. electricity supplies in 2024.

Pilot Project Offers E-Bike Rebates in New York State
The program will start in the Village of Ossining with plans to expand in the greater Hudson River region.
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.
Florida Atlantic University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
City of Piedmont, CA
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland