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What PACT Is
PACT — Permanent Affordability Commitment Together — is NYCHA's program to convert public housing developments to a federally funded model called Project-Based Section 8, formally known as the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. Under PACT, a private or nonprofit property manager takes over day-to-day operations of the building while NYCHA retains ownership of the land.
The stated goal is to unlock federal funding for repairs that NYCHA's capital budget cannot cover. NYCHA's repair backlog runs into the tens of billions of dollars — a deficit that has accumulated over decades of federal disinvestment.
What Changes for Tenants
Management changes. Day-to-day operations — maintenance requests, lease renewals, building services — shift from NYCHA to the new property manager. Tenants interact with a private or nonprofit management company, not NYCHA staff.
Funding model changes. The development switches from traditional public housing funding to Project-Based Section 8 vouchers. Tenants pay 30% of their income in rent, as before — the subsidy structure is different, but the tenant's share does not increase as a result of conversion.
Repairs should follow. PACT conversions are tied to capital improvement plans. The incoming manager is contractually obligated to complete repairs within a specified timeframe. In practice, results have been mixed — some PACT buildings have seen significant improvements, others have experienced transition problems.
What Does NOT Change
Your core protections remain in place after a PACT conversion:
- You cannot be evicted without cause
- Your rent remains income-based (30% of household income)
- You have the right to return if displaced during renovation
- You retain grievance and due process rights
- Your apartment remains permanently affordable
NYCHA retains a regulatory role and HPD continues to have jurisdiction over housing code compliance.
Which Buildings Are Converting
NYCHA's FY2026 Annual Plan identifies multiple developments scheduled for PACT conversion, including Bronx River Addition (226 units, elderly-only) and East 152nd Street-Courtlandt Avenue (130 units, elderly-only). The Chelsea Addition (96 units) is part of the larger Fulton-Elliott-Chelsea redevelopment plan also scheduled for conversion. NYCHA is required to notify residents well in advance of any conversion vote.
Your Rights During the Process
NYCHA is required to consult with tenants before a conversion proceeds. Residents have the right to:
- Attend and speak at public meetings about the proposed conversion
- Vote on whether to proceed (the process varies by program type)
- Receive written notice of the proposed management change
- Stay in their apartment during and after renovation (right to return)
If your development is being considered for PACT conversion and you have concerns, contact your Resident Association or call NYCHA's customer contact center at 718-707-7771.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I be evicted if my NYCHA building converts to PACT? No. PACT conversions include a guaranteed right to return for all current residents. You cannot be displaced permanently as a result of the conversion.
Will my rent increase after a PACT conversion? No. Tenants continue to pay 30% of their household income in rent after conversion — the same income-based formula as traditional public housing.
Who manages my building after PACT conversion? A private or nonprofit property manager selected through a NYCHA procurement process. NYCHA retains ownership of the land and a regulatory oversight role.
How do I find out if my building is being considered for PACT? NYCHA must notify residents in advance. You can also check NYCHA's Annual Plan at nyc.gov/nycha or contact your Resident Association.
Related NYC Housing Guides
- How to Check HPD Violations for Any NYC Building
- NYC's Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants: What It Can Do for You
- What Is the Warranty of Habitability?
- What Is NYC's COPA Law?
Sources: NYCHA FY2026 Annual Plan; Community Service Society of New York, NYCHA Annual Plan Summary, September 2025; NYC HPD; Legal Services NYC. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
