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Hundreds of NYCHA Apartments Occupied by Squatters, Report Finds
Squatters took over 548 vacant public housing units in NYC over 3 years, leading to 81 arrests
Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:26pm
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The squatting crisis in New York's public housing complexes exposes the need for tighter security and maintenance to protect vacant units from illegal occupation.NYC TodayA new report from the New York City Department of Investigation has revealed that over the past three years, 548 empty apartments in NYCHA public housing buildings across the city were taken over by squatters, resulting in 81 arrests. The issue has exacerbated the housing crisis, with over 150,000 people on the waitlist for NYCHA units.
Why it matters
The squatting crisis highlights the challenges NYCHA faces in securing and maintaining its vacant apartments, which could otherwise be used to house families in need. It also raises concerns about safety and security in public housing complexes, as some of the squatters were found to have criminal backgrounds.
The details
The report found that squatters were able to gain access to NYCHA apartments that were recently vacated and undergoing renovations for issues like lead paint and asbestos. In some cases, gang members and other individuals with criminal histories were discovered living in the illegally occupied units. NYCHA has partnered with the NYPD to investigate suspected squatting and reclaim the vacant apartments, but the agency acknowledges the challenge of preventing unauthorized occupancy.
- Over the past 3 years, 548 NYCHA apartments were occupied by squatters.
- In that time period, 81 arrests were made related to the squatting incidents.
The players
New York City Department of Investigation
The city agency that issued the report on the NYCHA squatting crisis.
Daniel Greene
The Executive Vice President of Property Management Operations at NYCHA, who has inspected the apartments in question.
Alex Aviles
A New York City councilmember and longtime advocate for NYCHA residents.
What they’re saying
“It's horrendous. It's just another added stressor to families that are already under significant duress with buildings that are a mess.”
— Alex Aviles, New York City Councilmember
“It's frustrating due to the time it takes us to do the work and the expense of it.”
— Daniel Greene, Executive Vice President of Property Management Operations, NYCHA
What’s next
The City Council's public housing committee is holding a public hearing on Friday to address security measures for NYCHA's vacant apartments, and city workers will be testifying while members of the public can provide comments.
The takeaway
The squatting crisis in NYCHA buildings highlights the urgent need for the agency to improve its security and maintenance procedures to prevent unauthorized occupancy, which deprives families in need of affordable housing and raises serious safety concerns for residents.
