Upper East Side Public Housing Residents To Vote On The Future Of Their Homes

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — Residents of the Isaacs Houses in Yorkville will soon have a say in the future of their homes.

The New York City Housing Authority said this week that the Isaacs Houses will be the next development to hold an official vote, giving tenants a choice between joining the Public Housing Preservation Trust, the Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program, or remaining in Section 9 public housing.

The 100-day engagement period began Nov. 3, leading up to a 30-day voting window early next year from Feb. 13 to March 16.

Home to more than 1,100 residents across 633 apartments, Isaacs Houses faces an estimated $248 million in repairs, public housing officials said. Citywide, the New York City Housing Authority's total capital need is nearly $80 billion.

Both the Trust and PACT programs aim to bring in new funding for repairs while keeping rents affordable, public housing officials said.

The Public Housing Preservation Trust would keep the development public but brings in new federal funding for repairs, while the PACT program would allow public-private partnerships to fund and manage upgrades under NYCHA oversight.

Isaacs Houses is the first public housing development in Manhattan to hold such a vote.

Resident leader Rose Bergin said the process is about making sure tenants have a real say.

"As residents, we’re the ones who live with the changes every day, so our voices have to be part of the decision from the start," Bergin said.

"When residents are truly involved, it builds trust, makes the process more transparent, and helps ensure the outcome actually works for the people who call this place home."

For the vote to count, at least 20 percent of heads of household must participate. Results will be certified and announced after the voting period ends in March, public housing officials said.

Residents can vote online, by mail, or in person during the final five days. A third-party administrator will oversee the election, public housing officials said.

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