Requires the New York City Housing Authority to provide a written statement articulating the reasons for denial of any request

Title of bill

An act to amend the public housing law, in relation to requiring that the New York city housing authority provide a tenant with a written statement specifically articulating its reasons for the denial of any request when such denial precedes a tenant's right to institute a grievance procedure

Purpose or general idea of bill

To give NYCHA residents an evidentiary basis, during permitted grievance procedures, to fully respond to NYCHA's denial of their request and the reasons for that denial.

Summary of specific provisions

Section one of this bill would require that NYCHA provide a tenant, upon the denial of any request that would permit a tenant to institute a grievance procedure, with a written notice specifically articulating its reasons for such denial.

Justification

NYCHA allows its residents to contest certain denials of requests related to residency, including, but not limited to: the amount of monthly rent NYCHA charges, requests for repairs or maintenance, the ability to add or remove a family member from a lease, and requests for reasonable accommodation for a disabled tenant. However, when communicating such denials, residents are often informed verbally and without any articulation of the reasons)why.

When NYCHA's denial precedes the ability of a resident to institute a grievance procedure, a baseless, verbal communication of that denial does not give residents adequate information to take full advantage of the grievance process. A written notice articulating the reasons for denial would give residents the ability to contest those reasons and equal footing in grievance proceedings.

Prior legislative history

New Bill.

Fiscal implications

None to the State.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become law.