Assemblyman Sheldon Silver announced the passage of legislation that would authorize the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) to take steps that would enable state- and city-developed housing projects - including Rutgers Houses - to be eligible for federal funds for operations and major repairs (A.9487-B).

"This legislation will bring vital funding to Rutgers Houses to make long overdue improvements in building security and sorely needed repairs to broken elevators, leaky roofs and individual apartments," said Silver (D-Manhattan). "This bill will make Rutgers Houses a safer place to live and raise a family."

Rutgers Houses encompasses five 20-story buildings and houses approximately 1,675 residents on the Lower East Side and is one of 21 city and state financed housing developments operated by NYCHA that do not receive direct federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Through the passage of this legislation, NYCHA will be allowed to enter into mixed-finance transactions, making these developments eligible for federal funding. This funding would enable NYCHA to address dire structural problems in its buildings, including broken elevators, leaking roofs and security issues

The legislation allows for the financial reorganization of all or part of the residential buildings within state and city financed projects owned by NYCHA, with the approval of the Commissioner of the Division of Housing and Community Renewal.

"New York cannot miss this opportunity to make Rutgers Houses eligible for this vital federal assistance," said Silver (D-Manhattan).