Squad 7/NYCHA

Squad 7 is the Inspector General for the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), the largest public housing authority in the United States. Squad 7 investigations have resulted in: the arrest of 70 current and former NYCHA employees – the majority of whom have been convicted so far - on charges of demanding and receiving cash in exchange for awarding NYCHA contract work and related recommendations to strengthen NYCHA micro-purchasing practices; the indictment of five individuals, including a NYCHA employee, for selling narcotics in NYCHA’s Astoria Houses; charges against a Section 8 recipient for failing to live in her subsidized apartment and illegally subletting it; and public reports that include a recent investigation exposing the need for better security and fire safety oversight at senior NYCHA buildings.

Squad 7 Reports

• March 26, 2025: Safeguarding NYCHA Residents: A Review of Select Safety Measures at Senior Buildings & Compliance with Fire Guard Requirements

• May 16, 2024: Investigation of Water-Related Concerns in 2022 at NYCHA's Jacob Riis Houses

• March 30, 2023: Fire Safety and Prevention in Public Housing

• December 10, 2020: Violations of Lead-Based Paint Abatement Regulations at the New York City Housing Authority

• January 19, 2018: NYCHA Public Safety Failures Connected to Gang and Narcotics Activity at Sheepshead/Nostrand Houses

• November 14, 2017: Investigation into False Certification of NYCHA Lead Paint Inspections

• November 3, 2017: Insufficient Inventory Controls Over Large Appliances at NYCHA Facilities

• March 28 2017: NYCHA is Still Failing to Remove Dangerous Criminals from Public Housing

• October 4, 2016: Smoke Alarm and Other Safety Deficiencies in NYCHA Public Housing

• March 29, 2016: Elevator-Related Accidents and Fatality at NYCHA Public Housing

• December 8, 2015: NYPD and NYCHA's Roles in Controlling Crime by Removing Offenders from Public Housing

• May 6, 2015: Safety Issues Relating to Garbage Hoists Utilized at Certain NYCHA Facilities

• November 21, 2014: Investigation into New York City Housing Authority's Funding and Installation of Security Cameras