PACT

What is PACT?

Through PACT, Audubon, Bethune Gardens, and Marshall Plaza will be included in the federal Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) and convert to a more stable, federally funded program called Project-Based Section 8. This allows NYCHA to unlock funding to complete comprehensive repairs, while also ensuring homes remain permanently affordable and residents have the same basic rights as they possess in the public housing program.

PACT depends on partnerships with private and non-profit development partners. Once the property is converted to Project-Based Section 8, NYCHA will lease the land and buildings to the development partners, who will conduct the repairs, serve as the new on-site property manager, and provide enhanced social services and community programs.

What can PACT do for Audubon, Bethune Gardens, and Marshall Plaza communities?

• Modernize your home and development through extensive renovations
• Invest in community spaces, amenities, and programs
• Keep homes permanently affordable and preserve resident rights and protections

Why do we need PACT?

NYCHA needs an estimated $40 billion to fully restore and renovate all of its buildings, but the federal government has provided only a fraction of the funding needed for these improvements. We recognize that many of the conditions in NYCHA buildings are unacceptable and unsafe. Renovations are long overdue but necessary to ensure that the day-to-day needs of residents are met and living conditions improve. PACT is a critical tool that, through partnerships with private and non-profit development partners, allows us to not only modernize homes but also provide enhanced community services and amenities.

Resident Rights:

Ensuring that residents retain their rights is an important part of the PACT program. Residents who transition to the Section 8 program will:

• continue to pay 30% of their adjusted gross household income towards rent
• retain the right to organize and your resident association will continue to receive funding
• have the right to renew your lease and your application will not be re-screened before signing a new lease
• have the right to remain in your apartment during construction
• add relatives onto your lease (relatives on your lease will have succession rights)

For more information, visit https://www1.nyc.gov/site/nycha/about/pact.page

How will rent be determined? Will my rent increase?

For residents who convert to the Section 8 program, rent will continue to be set at 30% of adjusted gross household income, and residents will not need to pay a new security deposit. Residents will not be re-screened prior to signing a new lease. Any changes to your household configuration (for example, if you add family members onto your lease) can change your portion of the rent, but it will always be set to 30% of the household income.

What if I need to add people or pets onto my lease?

Before you sign your new lease, you will be able to add any members of your family not currently on your lease. After conversion, there will also be an annual recertification process led by NYCHA’s Leased Housing department, and you can add a new family member at that time. Make sure your family composition is up to date before conversion. Also be sure to register pets with NYCHA prior to conversion.

Will I need to move or relocate during construction?

No one will be asked to move as all renovations are completed while you remain in your home. In some cases, depending on the severity of repairs needed or due to health concerns, residents will be assisted in a temporary relocation, but you will have a right to return to your home as soon as construction is completed.

Will I be required to move to a larger or smaller apartment?

Once you transfer to the Section 8 program, NYCHA’s Leased Housing Department will determine which households are overcrowded, or over-housed, based on the number of people listed on your lease. If your household does not meet Section 8 standards, meaning that there are too many people, or too many bedrooms for your household size, you will need to move to an appropriate-sized unit when one becomes available.

Can I move with my new voucher? Are Section 8 vouchers portable?

One year after converting to the Section 8 program, an income-qualified family can request a Housing Choice Voucher pending funding availability. The voucher program allows tenants to move anywhere in the United States where Section 8 vouchers are accepted.

What about our tenant leadership? Can our tenant association still organize?

As long as your tenant association is in good standing, your tenant association will continue to have rights and can organize after conversion. Tenant associations will continue to receive the same funding levels after conversion.

Planning for PACT Info Sheet
What is PACT?
Resident Rights and Responsibilities
Employment Opportunities
Design and Construction Info

PACT Residential Lease – English (Feb 2021)
PACT Residential Lease – Spanish (Feb 2021)
PACT Residential Lease – French (Feb 2021)
PACT Residential Lease – Russian (Feb 2021)
PACT Residential Lease – Simplified Chinese (Feb 2021)
PACT Residential Lease – Traditional Chinese (Feb 2021)

ABM Community Partners

Questions about:

• Presentation material
• Design and construction
• New property management
• Future meeting dates and topics