May 22, 2025

As part of Asthma Awareness Month, HPD and the NYC Health Department are sharing what tenants and landlords need to know to make homes healthier and safer

New York, NY – Asthma continues to be a major public health concern across New York City, sending thousands of New Yorkers to the emergency room each year. The asthma-related emergency room visits remain disproportionately high, particularly in communities burdened by environmental and social inequities. In 2023, asthma-related emergency room visits were highest among young children with about 201 visits per 10,000 children under 5. For kids aged 5–17, the rate was 144, and for adults, it was 65. These numbers are even higher in neighborhoods like Brownsville, East and Central Harlem, Mott Haven/Melrose, and Belmont/East Tremont.

With more than one in 10 children aged 13 and under diagnosed annually, the city’s housing agency, Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the New York City Health Department (NYC Health Department) are taking action. As part of Asthma Awareness Month, the two agencies are teaming up through HPD’s “Stay Informed, Stay Connected NYC” campaign to highlight the link between housing quality and health. The goal is to share practical information that tenants can use to protect their families and that property owners can use to keep buildings free of mold and pests.

“When someone ends up in the emergency room because of mold, leaks, or pests in their home, that’s not just a health issue—it’s a housing issue too. That’s why we’re partnering with the Department of Health to raise awareness about the hidden hazards that can trigger asthma—and to give both tenants and landlords the tools to prevent them," said Acting HPD Commissioner Ahmed Tigani. "By combining our enforcement work with DOHMH’s public health expertise, we’re making sure tenants know their rights, landlords understand their responsibilities, and families have the information they need to stay safe and healthy at home."

"In New York City, more than one in ten kids under the age of 13 have asthma. Communities that have experienced historic and current disinvestment are disproportionately affected, so we're using a place-based approach to create healthier futures," said Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse. "Through the Healthy Homes Program, the Bronx Asthma Initiative, and at the East Harlem Asthma Center of Excellence, we’re helping people breathe easier. Every New Yorker deserves the chance to thrive, no matter their ZIP code. If you or someone you love needs support managing asthma symptoms, visit our website to learn more.”

In New York City, asthma remains a significant public health challenge. HPD plays a critical role in reducing housing-related asthma triggers through targeted inspections and enforcement. These triggers, including mold, pests, water leaks, and poor ventilation, can worsen asthma symptoms, especially in children and older adults. Left untreated, these conditions contribute to health emergencies and long-term complications.

Asthma affects both kids and adults. It’s a chronic disease in which the lungs become swollen, making breathing difficult. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest. The exact causes of asthma are not known and while it cannot be cured, asthma can be controlled. Learn more about asthma control by visiting here. 

Asthma is a leading cause of emergency room visits, hospitalizations and missed school days in New York City’s poorest neighborhoods. In NYC, asthma is more common among low-income Black and Latino children. In 2023, children aged 5 to 17 accounted for 16,898 emergency room visits due to asthma, along with 8941 visits for children aged four and younger. Adults were affected as well, with 42,907 emergency visits for asthma that year

The Health Department offers several programs aimed at reducing asthma triggers in the home and helping manage asthma symptoms. These include Integrated Pest Management (IPM) services, in which a pest control professional visits the homes of children with asthma to teach families non-toxic methods for controlling rodents, roaches, and other pests that can cause asthma attacks. Families also receive guidance on green cleaning practices. Additional resources include the Healthy Neighborhoods Program (HNP), the East Harlem Asthma Center of Excellence (EHACE), and the Office of School Health.

As with all housing maintenance complaints, tenants should first notify their property owner, agent or superintendent if they have a problem with leaks, mold or pests. Most property owners will be responsive to a tenant’s requests for repairs or pest management since these types of issues in one apartment can often cause damage in other units as well.  Should the owner not response, tenants can file complaints with HPD about visual mold, roaches and mice by using 311’s online portal to file a complaint or calling 311. In addition to responding directly to complaints about these issues, HPD inspectors are required to check for mold and pests during every apartment inspection, even if those issues are not part of the original complaint. This proactive approach helps identify hidden conditions that could impact residents’ health. In 2024, HPD issued more than 47,000 violations for mold, 57,000 for water leaks, 42,000 for roaches, and 32,000 for mice across the city. In some cases where landlords failed to act, HPD stepped in directly through its Emergency Repair Program to address mold in over 700 apartments during the year.

What Tenants Should Do

Tenants play a critical role in maintaining a safe and healthy home environment. HPD encourages all residents to take the following steps:

• Allow access for annual inspections: Your landlord is legally required to inspect your home for mold and pests once a year. Allowing access helps catch and address issues early.
• Report leaks immediately: Leaks can lead to mold and attract pests. Notify your landlord right away. If they do not take action, file a complaint with 311.
• Know your rights around mold violations: If you live in a building with 10 or more units and HPD issues a Class B or C mold violation, the landlord must hire a specially licensed contractor to remediate the issue. You can report improper or incomplete work to 311.
• Maintain clean and safe common spaces: Proper garbage storage and disposal helps prevent infestations of roaches and mice.
• Use pest control products safely: Some products can be harmful to children and pets. For safe alternatives and additional guidance, visit: Pest Control Information for Building Residents and Tenants – NYC Health

What Landlords Must Do

Landlords are legally responsible for maintaining safe, healthy conditions in their buildings—and that includes preventing asthma-related hazards. Here’s what’s required:

• Fix leaks quickly: Water damage contributes to mold, pest infestations, and deterioration of lead-based paint. Roofs, façades, and plumbing must be properly maintained. Financial support for eligible repairs may be available through programs like J-51 Reform.
• Conduct annual inspections: Landlords must inspect all units for mold and pests once a year. Early detection and remediation are key to preventing violations and protecting tenants.
• Respond to complaints quickly and with appropriate professionals: Addressing issues early—and with the right support—can help prevent larger problems and protect your tenants' well-being.

• Implement Integrated Pest Management: Chemical extermination alone isn’t enough. Landlords should work with licensed Pest Management Professionals to implement long-term, preventive strategies to eliminate infestations.
• Property owners are required to hire appropriate professions to treat mold.  More information about these requirements can be found on HPD’s website by searching MOLD. Owners of residential properties with 10 or more units are required to hire a New York State Department of Labor-licensed mold assessor and remediator (these two contractors must be completely independent of each other) to assess and remediate conditions whenever there is more than 10 square feet of mold. To find a licensed mold contractor in your area, use the NYS Department of Labor's Licensed Mold Contractors Search Tool.

• Understand HPD’s inspection protocol. HPD inspectors are required to ask tenants about mold and pests during every apartment inspection, regardless of the original complaint. This helps identify hidden issues and explains why violations may be issued even when not initially reported.
• Respond to violations properly: If HPD issues a Class B or C mold violation, landlords in buildings with 10+ units are required to use a specially licensed contractor. Improper repairs can result in further enforcement action.

Community-Based Asthma Services

The NYC Health Department offers the following resources for people with asthma:

• The Office of School Health provides various services for children in school, including medicine administration and education.
• The East Harlem Neighborhood Health Action Center has several programs that offer free counseling, education and other support services for children with asthma.
• The Tremont Neighborhood Health Action Center offers cost-free pest control services for eligible families.
• The Healthy Neighborhoods Program provides free home assessments for children and adults diagnosed with persistent asthma by a health care provider. If staff find environmental asthma triggers or other home health hazards, they will work with property owners to correct the problems.
• In partnership with CABS Health Network, Doctors for Asthma Integrated Pest Management provides integrated pest management services to children up to 17 years old diagnosed with asthma that meet eligibility requirements.

Property owners may also wish to view HPD’s Mold Webinar, which is accessible at on HPD’s webpage by searching mold education.  

For more information on tenant rights, landlord responsibilities, and key housing issues, visit nyc.gov/hpd, call 311, or explore HPD’s ABCs of Housing guide.

###