The **New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)** is the largest public housing authority in the United States, providing affordable housing to more than 520,000 authorized residents across over 177,000 apartments in 335 developments—serving roughly 1 in 17 New Yorkers[1]. Established in 1934, NYCHA’s mission is to offer decent, affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents, with its first development, First Houses, opening in 1935[1]. The organization has long been a cornerstone of the city’s social infrastructure, housing essential workers and notable figures such as Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, former Goldman Sachs leader Lloyd Blankfein, actress Whoopi Goldberg, and NASA engineer Aprille Ericsson[1]. ## Key Achievements and Challenges NYCHA’s portfolio represents a significant portion of New York’s affordable housing stock, but decades of federal disinvestment have left the system with nearly $80 billion in needed repairs[1]. Despite these challenges, NYCHA has pursued innovative strategies to attract investment, improve living conditions, and modernize its aging infrastructure. In recent years, the authority has introduced programs like the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) and the new Preservation Trust, giving residents a direct say—via resident voting—in the future of their developments[4]. These programs aim to leverage public-private partnerships and new funding mechanisms to preserve and expand affordable housing. ## Current Status and Innovations As of 2025, NYCHA operates with an annual budget exceeding $5 billion and is undergoing a major overhaul of its tenant selection process to prioritize those in greatest need, including victims of domestic violence and those requiring reasonable accommodations[2][7]. The authority is also actively seeking development partners to utilize underused land (e.g., parking lots) for new affordable housing, exploring tools like Transfer of Development Rights and Project-Based Vouchers to generate revenue and increase housing supply[6]. NYCHA’s current initiatives reflect a