NYC Public Housing Vacancies Surge, Raising Safety Concerns

Report finds over 6,700 empty units open to illegal squatters, posing risks for residents

Mar. 3, 2026 at 6:51pm

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A new report by the New York City Department of Investigation has revealed that the number of vacant apartments in the city's public housing system more than doubled to over 6,700 between January 2022 and May 2025. The vacancies have led to hundreds of illegal squatters occupying the units, compromising the safety of public housing residents.

Why it matters

The findings underscore the immense challenges facing New York City's aging public housing system, which provides homes for over 350,000 people. The surge in vacant, unsecured units has enabled criminal activity and raised serious safety concerns for NYCHA residents, even as the system grapples with a massive backlog of needed repairs.

The details

The report found that the average vacant apartment sat empty for over a year, often due to the time and expense required to renovate units before new tenants could move in. NYCHA was also criticized for not proactively inspecting vacant apartments and using the same keys for all empty units in a development, making it easy for unauthorized occupants to gain access.

  • Between January 2022 and May 2025, the number of vacant NYCHA apartments more than doubled to over 6,700.
  • Over the more than three years analyzed, city agencies reclaimed almost 550 apartments from 'unauthorized occupants.'

The players

New York City Department of Investigation

The city's independent oversight agency that conducted the report on NYCHA's vacant apartments and illegal squatting.

New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)

The agency that manages New York City's vast public housing system, which includes over 177,500 apartments across 335 developments.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani

The newly elected mayor of New York City who has been criticized for not prioritizing the needs of public housing residents, despite campaigning as a champion of city renters.

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What they’re saying

“NYCHA apartments that sit vacant reduce the already limited availability of the city's public housing stock, and without appropriate security measures, pose a public safety risk for public housing residents, employees and contractors.”

— Christopher Ryan, Acting Commissioner, Department of Investigation

“We collaborated with the NYPD in 2023 to root out criminal activity in vacant units on NYCHA property, and we will continue this work in support of our joint mission to provide safe housing for NYCHA residents.”

— Michael Horgan, Spokesman, New York City Housing Authority

What’s next

The Department of Investigation has recommended that NYCHA inspect vacant apartments monthly, use different keys for each unit, and work with resident watchdog groups to report any squatters. NYCHA has accepted the recommendations but says it needs time to implement them.

The takeaway

The surge in vacant, unsecured public housing units in New York City has enabled criminal activity and raised serious safety concerns for NYCHA residents, underscoring the immense challenges facing the city's aging public housing system as it struggles with a massive backlog of needed repairs.