Harlem Tenants Protest Privatization As City Finalizes Deal

HARLEM, NY — Tenants of a storied Harlem public housing complex are pushing back against the city's plan to turn their homes over to private landlords, saying they fear the deal will serve as a pretext to displace longtime residents.

Harlem River Houses I and II are part of the New York City Housing Authority, home to roughly 1,400 tenants spread across several blocks above West 151st Street.

Two years ago, the city announced that management of the complex would be taken over by private companies through NYCHA's PACT program — a controversial initiative that the agency says will help fund crucial repairs. Now, that takeover is imminent: NYCHA closed on a deal Thursday to hand over Harlem River Houses to a joint team of Settlement Housing Fund, West Harlem Group Assistance, L+M Builders, and C+C Apartment Management.

Tenants and NYCHA agree that conditions in Harlem River Houses have badly deteriorated. The $236 million PACT repairs will remove lead paint, repair faulty elevators and heating systems, and upgrade crumbling facades, the city says, while tenants have complained of roach infestations, human waste, mold, and more.

But Harlem River tenants opposed to the takeover fear that their new landlords will only make conditions worse. Some other NYCHA developments that were recently privatized have been plagued by botched renovations, while C+C — one of the new managers at Harlem River — dealt with continued utility outages shortly after taking over a Brooklyn NYCHA complex in December.

In recent weeks, Harlem River tenants have been asked to sign "Temporary Move Agreements," asking them to vacate their homes during the renovations — stoking fears that they will be prevented from returning once they leave. To that end, many have refused to sign new leases with C+C, according to the advocacy group United Front Against Displacement, which is working with tenants opposed to PACT.

In a statement, the companies carrying out the renovations told Patch that "all residents will have the right to return to their original apartment following the completion of their apartment renovation."

"All residents have elected to sign the Temporary Move Agreement thus far and interviews are ongoing," said the group, which is known as Harlem River Preservation.

"Harlem River Preservation has also held numerous information sessions about the temporary relocation process and management and the relocation team are always available to walk residents through it at their convenience," the statement continued. Lease signing is also ongoing, and more than 90 percent of residents at Harlem River Houses have signed their leases."

The city, too, has strongly denied that any tenant will be permanently displaced, and said the Harlem River repairs are coming after years of consultation with tenants.

"Through ongoing extensive resident engagement spanning over three years, NYCHA has worked to ensure that Harlem River Houses will receive $236 million in comprehensive development-wide renovations," NYCHA spokesperson Nekoro Gomes told Patch. "PACT will fundamentally improve the quality of life, health, and safety of 1,400 residents at Harlem River Houses."

On Saturday, Harlem River tenants are holding an "emergency protest" at the nearby Colonel Charles Young Triangle, where they were joined by tenants from across the city. On Friday, United Front organizers handing out fliers about the protest said that C+C called the police to kick them off the Harlem River campus.

In a statement on Monday, Harlem River Preservation said they were "pleased with the overwhelmingly positive response we've gotten thus far from residents, including at their successful welcome event on Friday."

The companies contested advocates' account of what transpired on Friday, saying that the group had "attempted to prevent Harlem River residents from delivering opening remarks at the event" and attempted to hand out fliers with false information about the PACT renovations.

"Police were already on-hand to staff the event -- they were not, despite claims by the protesters, called by staff because of the protesters," the companies said.

Meanwhile, a class-action lawsuit that Harlem River tenants filed against NYCHA in a bid to stop privatization is still pending in a federal court.

Renovations to the 690 apartments at Harlem River will begin this spring and will be complete by 2024 or 2025, according to NYCHA.

"These NYCHA campuses have a storied history, with generations of residents who have made New York City their home," NYCHA CEO Greg Russ said in Thursday's news release announcing the PACT deal. "Today’s announcement will help ensure that the future of these properties is as bright and dynamic as the legacy of its past – by marshalling significant capital investment and community resources for our residents."

NYCHA's news release also included a statement of support from Michelle Grant, president of the Harlem River Houses Resident Association.

The original Harlem River Houses campus opened in 1937 and was designated a city landmark in 1975 for its historical significance and its community-centered architecture, which included artwork, gathering spaces and retail storefronts. The city's landmarks commission signed off on the PACT repairs last fall.

Previous coverage:

• Rehab Of Harlem River Housing Project OK'd After Privatization
• Harlem NYCHA Complexes To Transition To Private Management: City