NYCHA tried to ‘retaliate’
Probe of evict threats vs. griping tenants
THE CITY COUNCIL is launching an investigation into claims that NYCHA has retaliated against tenants who go public with complaints about their dismal living conditions.
Keshia Benjamin, 40, says she got a notice threatening to boot her from her apartment in the Jacob Riis Houses in the East Village — just days after she was featured in a TV report about problems at the complex.
City Councilwoman Carlina Rivera (D-Manhattan) requested a probe into whether NYCHA staffers are deliberately targeting tenants who speak out, and the chairman of the Council’s Oversight and Investigations Committee confirmed Sunday the panel would examine the issue.
“They’re trying to silence me, and I refuse to be silenced,” said Benjamin, who has lived at the development since moving out of a homeless shelter in 2015.
She got a notice earlier this month saying her records were being sent to NYCHA’s central office for “possible termination of tenancy.”
The notice contained no explanation, but when Benjamin asked NYCHA officials, they told her it was for overdue rent — even though all her rent was paid off.
She was behind on rent for several months last year due to a dispute over whether she or the city’s social-services department was supposed to be making the payment, but the full balance has been paid off since February, she said.
Days before the notice arrived, Benjamin was featured in a PIX11 report talking about leaks and mold.
“I think they want me to keep my mouth shut. I think they don’t want information out about the neglect,” said Benjamin, who plans to speak at a rally at City Hall with the councilwoman on Monday.
NYCHA denied any retaliation, and after The News asked about the case, said Benjamin’s termination notice has been canceled. It was automatically generated because she had been delinquent on rent within a 12-month period, but has been rescinded because she is now up to date, a spokeswoman said.
“NYCHA does not retaliate against residents for any reason. There is no eviction or termination of tenancy pending against this resident and staff is already in the process of determining any necessary repairs that need to be made in this apartment,” said spokeswoman Robin Levine.
But Rivera said she has heard reports of other tenants at Riis facing similar payback after making complaints, including one who got an inaccurate notice of nonpayment and another who stopped getting the meager repairs he had previously received.
“People who are particularly vocal or who decide to get the media involved after waiting months or even years feel they’re being retaliated against,” Rivera said. “This is not the only case. They feel that they’re being penalized just for speaking up.”
Councilman Ritchie Torres (D-Bronx), chairman of the oversight committee, said the panel “will look into both the specific allegations at Riis Houses and NYCHA’s general procedures for handling complaints of retaliation against tenants.”