In order to tackle a projected $78.3B in needed repairs and replacements over the next two decades, NYCHA leases properties to developers, who must partner with existing NYCHA residents on even the most minuscule aspects of their projects. The idea sparked outrage and controversy as it forced two historical adversaries — landlords and low-income tenants — to build trust and overcome long-held resentment. And yet, somehow, the program has seemingly become a success. As of November, eight PACT projects have been delivered spanning 9,500 units, according to a Bisnow analysis of NYCHA data. Those repairs reduced NYCHA’s outstanding repair bill by approximately $1.8B. Another 29 projects are in construction or planning stages and are estimated to cover total repair costs of about $11.5B. “There is a lot of PTSD from residents and resident leaders in not having their needs met, not having resources to have their needs met, and having their needs be deferred for such a long amount of time that there was a psychology of numbness towards any promises that NYCHA would be bringing in the future,” said Naim Brown, Senior Vice President of Place-Based Development for Urbane, which is restoring 15 different campuses with a total of 88 buildings. “It was definitely a learning curve to encourage folks to participate in the process and show them, step by step, that the process was real.” Read the full story here. — Ciara Long and Sasha Jones | 
