On December 12, 2024, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) announced they secured $445 million to renovate the Manhattanville Houses Complex, revitalize existing shared spaces, and improve building infrastructure. This project is anticipated to be completed in three years.
This complex was selected through the Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program which maintains residents’ rights and preserves affordable rents for all households. Since 2021, the Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) team and Manhattanville resident leadership have worked conducted internal and community meetings to determine the design for this renovation.
The goal of this project is to rehabilitate over 1,272 apartments across six residential buildings in Manhattan, impacting over 2,600 residents, and improve shared spaces, grounds, and building infrastructure.
The project will be led by the following co-developers: Gilbane Development Company and Apex Building Group (who will be the general contractors), and West Harlem Group Assistance. The property manager will be ELH Mgmt LLC. The project includes improvements to the Manhattanville apartments, common spaces, building infrastructure, and outdoor spaces. Manhattanville apartments will receive new interior doors, closets, windows, paint, air conditioners, and hardwired carbon monoxide/smoke detectors. The kitchens and bathrooms will be renovated, and new appliances, fixtures, countertops, cabinets, flooring, tubs, and showers will be provided. The six buildings will be equipped with new energy-efficient heat and hot water systems.
Regarding common areas renovations, the building lobbies will be expanded and the entrances, mail areas, stairwells, and hallways will be refurbished. New laundry rooms, recycling rooms, and secure package and parcel rooms will be added to each building. The tenants will also enjoy access to free high-speed internet. There will be a new resident association office and social services provider office (operated by Goddard Riverside) constructed while the Manhattanville Community Center’s elevator and heating and cooling systems are in repair. To protect the safety of residents there will be new security cameras in common areas implemented.
In regard to building infrastructure, there will be repairs and restoration to building envelopes, balconies, elevators, electrical upgrades, ventilation improvements, and facade repairs. Manhattanville is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Therefore, the original building exterior design and common spaces will be restored to preserve the original designs.
The existing open spaces will be revitalized through landscaping, the installation of new seating, tables, and bike racks. The parking lots, pathways, drainage systems, exterior lighting will be rehabilitated. The play areas will be renovated by adding basketball courts and a running path to the central ball field.
The Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program modernizes public housing in New York City by transiting developments funding for repairs and upgrades to stable Project-Based Section 8 program through the federal Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. Over 38,000 apartments are involved, benefiting over 142,000 residents by providing improved living conditions and enhanced services. The goal is to include 62,000 more apartments.
First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer said, “The Manhattanville PACT closing is yet more proof that this administration is wasting no time in providing safe, quality, affordable housing to New Yorkers. From renovations for 2,600 NYCHA residents, to robust on-site social services and more, the Manhattanville PACT project shows the power of what happens when tenants, and partners from the private and public sector, collaborate to uplift an entire community.”
By: Chelsea Ramjeawan (Chelsea is the CityLaw intern and a New York Law School student, Class of 2025.)