Design and Construction Report staff writer
The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) says it has invested more than $5.1 billion in capital improvements across its portfolio over the past five years, completing 810 construction projects and ramping up annual spending to $1.25 billion in 2025.
The agency reports a 48 per cent increase in annual capital expenditures since 2021, despite pandemic-related slowdowns, supply chain disruptions and construction inflation. NYCHA now has more than $6.3 billion in active capital investments underway across 506 projects citywide.
The increased output follows the creation of NYCHA’s Asset & Capital Management division in 2022, aimed at improving delivery, scaling project management and introducing alternative procurement approaches such as design-build.
Capital program highlights (2021–2025):
- 810 construction projects completed across all five boroughs
- $5.1 billion in total capital spending
- $1.25 billion in annual expenditures reached in 2025
- $6.3 billion in active capital projects across 506 developments
- Equivalent of more than 620 full-time jobs created, with over half filled by NYCHA residents
Major construction and upgrade work delivered:
- 177 heating system upgrades, including 156 boiler replacements
- 277 elevator replacements improving accessibility and reliability
- 744 roof replacements across the portfolio
- 217 façade repairs, with sidewalk sheds removed at 314 buildings
- 757 waste management upgrades, including compactors and rat mitigation systems
- More than 3,700 CCTV cameras and 3,100 lighting assets installed
- Over 3,300 apartment upgrades completed
- 25 community centres renovated
- 68 playgrounds and sports courts built or upgraded
- Storm resiliency improvements at 30 properties
From a construction perspective, NYCHA said projects have grown in size and complexity, including $1.2 billion in comprehensive modernization work now underway. The authority has also increased its use of performance tracking, schedule controls and standardized engagement processes to improve delivery timelines and cost management.
The capital program continues under federal oversight following the 2019 agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, with a focus on health, safety and building system upgrades.
NYCHA reports that more than 80 per cent of projects currently in construction are on track or experiencing only minor delays, while net change order rates remain below one per cent across the portfolio.
The agency is continuing to advance hundreds of active projects in 2026, with a focus on building systems, modernization and resiliency upgrades across its housing stock.
