East Harlem Complexes Get $22M For New Boilers, NYCHA Says

EAST HARLEM, NY — Two East Harlem public housing developments will receive funding for 10 new boilers as part of a $450 million plan to improve heating systems at housing complexes run by the New York City Housing Authority.

The James Weldon Johnson Houses and Lincoln Houses will each receive $11.4 million for the new heating equipment, NYCHA and a federal monitor appointed to oversee the troubled housing agency announced last week.

"This capital project is a testament to the commitment of all parties to achieving long-term improvement in the living conditions at NYCHA for all of its residents," Federal Monitor Bart M. Schwartz said. "We have worked to ensure that this plan represents the most effective and efficient use of this money for the residents."

The $450 million plan, funded by the state government of New York, calls for the installation of 108 new boilers at NYCHA complexes across New York City. The housing authority will also replace 158 elevators in 10 different developments as part of the plan.

Boiler replacements for East Harlem's Johnson and Lincoln houses are expected to be in the second phase of the two-part plan. Documents released by NYCHA and the state do not include a timeline for the repairs.

With cold temperatures hitting New York City, the funding announcement should do little to soothe the immediate fears of NYCHA tenants over the state of heating systems in their buildings. The new boilers funded by the state plan shouldn't be operations until at least 2023, THE CITY first reported.