The days of leaky ceilings are coming to an end for residents of the Parkside Houses.
The New York City Housing Authority complex will soon have new roofs to keep out the water that regularly seeps into the apartments.
Councilman Ritchie Torres announced the city’s $16 million project to replace all 14 roofs in the Parkside Houses on Friday, August 21.
The project is part of $100 million in funding this year, and $300 over three years, to replace the roofs at 66 NYCHA buildings across the city.
The roofs at the Parkside Houses are among the worst in public housing, said Torres of the development in his district, and they should have been replaced a long time ago. Residents have been dealing with chronic leaks for years.
“Every time it rains, they feel it in their apartment,” said Torres, who is the chairman of the public housing committee.
The improvements will have a number of direct and indirect benefits, including stopping leaks, reducing instances of mold, and dramatically decreasing work-orders, with which NYCHA is overloaded.
“The number one enemy of a building is water,” said Torres.
He acknowledged that the investment will not address all the issues present in the NYCHA developments.
“A new roof is not a magic bullet, it’s not going to solve every problem,” said Torres, but it will significantly improve the quality of life of many residents.
The roofs should make a big difference, said resident council treasurer Denise Fredericks, as the most frequent complaint the council hears is about leaks, alongside issues with mold and mildew. Complaints come from every building in the complex, she said.
“Until the roofs are replaced, its going to be constant,” said Fredericks.
For Parkside Houses tenant Harriet Lockett, who’s been receiving temporary fixes for the leaks in her apartment for years, the work can’t start quick enough.
She’s excited to see a permanent solution in sight
“I’m looking forward to it,” she said.
Construction is expected to begin before the end of the year, and should be completed within three years.
