NYC comptroller proposes 'Yelp' for repairs in NYCHA

NEW YORK (PIX11) -- A new audit released by the New York City comptroller shows nearly half of the purchase orders of NYCHA repairs lacked proof that work was even done.

That’s just one of the problems New York City Comptroller Brad Lander said the new report exposes. Lander said he wants a "Yelp" for repairs in NYCHA. It’s just one of the recommendations he is giving to make repairs happen faster in homes. 

Aixa Torres has been the tenant president of the Smith Houses for 13 years on the Lower East Side. Torres is one of 20 NYCHA residents part of a resident audit committee assembled by Lander.

Lander said that 46% of the time the purchase orders in NYCHA lacked proof that work was even performed.

For eight years, PIX11 News has told the stories of NYCHA residents dealing with no heat and the frustration of closed repair tickets with no action.

Taft Houses Tenant President Beverly MacFarlane has reached out to PIX11 many times to help shed a light on problems at her East Harlem development. MacFarlane is on the comptroller’s committee and said the system has to change.

Lander said 93% of the residents surveyed said they do not have the opportunity to give feedback about whether their units are repaired. 

Lander proposes a new resident feedback tool called "Repairs, Reviews, and Resident Voices." He calls it a "Yelp" for repairs in NYCHA that would generate vendor scorecards to hold contractors accountable. 

A NYCHA spokesperson told PIX11 News:

"Since the 2019 HUD Agreement, NYCHA has worked tirelessly to transform its compliance, management, and operations infrastructure, and has made significant progress in the face of an unprecedented $80 billion capital need. Through NYCHA’s Transformation Plan and ongoing work with our federal and local government partners, the Authority is diligently reforming its procurement, contract administration, and vendor management processes. NYCHA has already implemented or is currently implementing many of the recommendations made in this report. While we do not agree with some of the Audit’s analysis and findings and take issue with its numerous unsubstantiated claims, we appreciate Comptroller Lander’s commitment to improving NYCHA and quality of life for public housing residents."

NYCHA spokesperson

The comptroller's next audit will be about evictions.