NYC Affordable Housing Complexes Plagued with Problems, Comptroller Finds

State watchdog investigation uncovers issues like mold, financial mismanagement, and construction delays at Mitchell-Lama buildings overseen by the city's HPD

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A state comptroller's investigation found numerous problems at three major affordable housing complexes in New York City overseen by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), including vacant apartments sitting empty for months or years, questionable spending by building management, and construction projects that have dragged on for years. The comptroller's report made recommendations for HPD to improve oversight and management of these Mitchell-Lama buildings, which provide affordable housing to working families.

Why it matters

The issues uncovered at these affordable housing complexes raise concerns about the city's ability to effectively manage and maintain critical low-income housing stock. With rising housing costs, these Mitchell-Lama buildings play a vital role in providing affordable options for working-class New Yorkers, so ensuring they are well-run and properly maintained is crucial.

The details

The comptroller's investigation focused on Evergreen Gardens in the Bronx, Clinton Towers in Manhattan, and Tivoli Towers in Brooklyn - all Mitchell-Lama buildings privately managed but overseen by HPD. The report found problems like vacant apartments sitting empty for months or years, resulting in over $300,000 in lost rental income; questionable spending by building management, including improper vendor contracts; and construction projects that have dragged on for years, such as a lobby renovation at Clinton Towers that stopped due to a contractor not being paid.

  • The comptroller's investigation began in 2019 and lasted through April 2025.
  • The comptroller's report was published in 2026.

The players

Tom DiNapoli

New York State Comptroller who conducted the investigation into the affordable housing complexes.

Alicka Ampry-Samuel

Deputy Commissioner of Asset and Property Management at HPD, the city agency that oversees the Mitchell-Lama buildings.

Alicia Cardenas-Solano

President of the Tivoli Towers Tenants Association.

Mary Somoza

President of the Clinton Towers Tenants Association.

Dina Levy

Newly appointed Commissioner of the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD).

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Vacant apartments would be vacant for months and, I think in some cases, for years. If it's a vacant apartment, you're not collecting any income from them, so we estimated just for these three developments that we looked at it, it was well over $300,000 in lost rental income.”

— Tom DiNapoli, New York State Comptroller (CBS News New York)

“We're looking at the financials to see, what do we need to look at now? What are the red flags for discrepancies? How can we ensure that when the property management organizations are contracting with vendors, how do we ensure that we see what's happening before they make a bad decision?”

— Alicka Ampry-Samuel, Deputy Commissioner of Asset and Property Management, HPD (CBS News New York)

“It makes me angry, and I call and I have had meetings with them, but the issues are still the same. They have not improved.”

— Alicia Cardenas-Solano, President, Tivoli Towers Tenants Association (CBS News New York)

“I am very optimistic and very hopeful that this new mayor, he will do something about these situations.”

— Mary Somoza, President, Clinton Towers Tenants Association (CBS News New York)

What’s next

The new HPD Commissioner, Dina Levy, says the city plans to improve oversight at Mitchell-Lama buildings, including reviewing finances and contracting practices to identify and address issues before they worsen.

The takeaway

The problems uncovered at these affordable housing complexes underscore the need for stronger oversight and management of Mitchell-Lama buildings by the city's housing agency. Ensuring these critical sources of low-income housing are well-maintained and financially stable is crucial, especially as housing costs continue to rise in New York City.