'Stay Informed' Public Awareness Campaign: Your Go-To Resource for Housing Solutions

Learn more at TheCityLife.org

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Monthly housing tips for 8.26 million New Yorkers from the
experts who know NYC best. The Department of Housing
Preservation and Development, HPD today introduced Stay
Informed, Stay Connected, NYCA new initiative providing New
Yorkers with clear, actionable information on tenant rights,

(00:20):
landlord responsibilities and the essentials of maintaining a
safe, well kept home. In a city of more than 8.26
million people, where the housing vacancy rate is just
1.4%, it's critical that residents have the tools to
understand housing regulations and protect their homes.

(00:41):
HPD will spotlight a specific housing topic each month, such
as reporting issues with heat, hot water or pests, navigating
housing court or understanding building maintenance rules, and
equip New Yorkers with the knowledge they need to take
action. HP DS teams respond to thousands

(01:01):
of housing complaints every week, helping residents document
and resolve issues that impact the safety and quality of their
homes. From heating concerns in the
winter to issues with pests or lead based paint, HPD is
committed to ensuring tenants live in safe, well maintained
conditions. More than 812,000 maintenance

(01:24):
problems were reported citywide between July 2023 and June 2024,
an average of 5000 issues per week.
HPD inspectors are actively dispatched to investigate these
issues and make a direct impact on residents daily lives.
Housing code enforcement is led by HP DS Office of Enforcement

(01:46):
and Neighborhood Services Ends, which includes more than 330
inspectors citywide. Over 200 of these inspectors are
assigned to borough offices in the Bronx, Queens, Manhattan and
Staten Island, with two locations serving Brooklyn, with
the rest assigned to special enforcement units such as our

(02:07):
Lead Based Paint Inspection Program or Alternative
Enforcement Program. Housing inspectors are
responsible for checking apartments for housing
maintenance code violations and ensuring necessary repairs are
made. The Stay Informed Stay Connected
NYC campaign expense on the City's ongoing efforts to equip

(02:28):
New Yorkers with the tools they need to maintain safe, stable
housing. Building on existing initiatives
like webinars for property owners on lead based paint and
mold, educational materials distributed during inspections,
and regularly updated online resources, the campaign will
introduce monthly topics paired with practical tips,

(02:51):
downloadable guides, and step bystep instructions that help
tenants and landlords protect their homes and prevent issues
before they arise. This initiative is also part of
HP DS broader efforts to deepen engagement with the community.
HPD will continue to shape Stay Informed NYC around the real

(03:12):
needs of New Yorkers. HPD knows that our role in
empowering people to maintain safe, stable housing for
themselves and their families isas basic and important as
responding to complaints.