FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 28, 2025
CONTACT: media@nycha.nyc.gov | (212) 306-3322

NYCHA Releases Final Scope of Work and Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Redevelopment of Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea Houses

Public comment period will run for a minimum of 45 days through May 12, as environmental review process that commenced in January 2024 continues

NEW YORK – The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) today announced the release of a Final Scope of Work and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed redevelopment of Fulton Houses and Elliott-Chelsea Houses, alongside the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), which is serving as the joint lead agency and responsible entity for the environmental review process. A Notice of Intent (NOI) to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement, along with a Draft Scope of Work, was released in January 2024, and the DEIS represents the next step in the environmental review process, with a minimum of a 45-day public comment period that is expected to run through Monday, May 12. Additionally, a Final Scope of Work reflecting feedback received during the public comment period that ran from January to March 2024 for the Draft Scope of Work has also been released, along with formal responses to the public comments. The purpose of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is to ensure that potential impacts are being considered as part of any proposed actions or projects, such as the proposed replacement of buildings across the Fulton, Elliott, Chelsea, and Chelsea Addition campuses in Manhattan through the Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program. The proposed redevelopment would provide improved housing and community spaces for nearly 4,500 NYCHA residents living in over 2,050 apartments.

“This is a huge milestone on the path toward renovating the homes of 4,500 NYCHA residents and potentially bringing almost 3,500 new mixed-income units to Chelsea,” said Executive Director for Housing Leila Bozorg. “I look forward to seeing NYCHA and their partners realize a project that has been both long in the making and deeply informed by the residents of Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea Houses.”

“The proposed redevelopment of Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea Houses would be a pioneering project that could deliver clear quality of life improvements to thousands of NYCHA residents,” said NYCHA Board Chair Jamie Rubin. “The release of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement is another step in exploring the potential of such efforts, as we continue to seize available opportunities to preserve critical affordable housing stock and ensure that NYCHA residents do not get left behind.”

"The release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement marks the next step in the environmental review process, ensuring that any proposed redevelopment is carried out in a thoughtful and responsible way,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “As this process moves forward, we are excited that we continue to move closer to the ultimate goal of delivering enhancements to 4,500 Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea residents.”

“This is more than just a procedural step — it’s the latest milestone in a complex, inclusive and thoughtful series of steps to turn the corner for Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea and demonstrates the lengths we’ll go to support public housing in our city,” said Acting New York City Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Ahmed Tigani. “This process reflects our deep commitment to seeing this redevelopment through — systematically, transparently, and in partnership with NYCHA and all stakeholders. Together with our sister agency we’re staying focused, following the data, and advancing the work needed to deliver modern, accessible, resilient housing for the future.”

“NYCHA looks forward to continuing our partnership with residents at Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea Houses as we plan together for the community's future,” said NYCHA Executive Vice President for Real Estate Development Jonathan Gouveia. “The release of the DEIS is another step in the critical environmental review process, ensuring that our plans are thoughtful and that all stakeholders have information about the proposed project.”

“Revitalizing Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea Houses to meet the needs and aspirations of their residents is central to this proposed redevelopment project. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement is a pivotal step in moving this vision forward,” said Essence Development Founder Jamar Adams. “We are committed to delivering state-of-the-art, energy-efficient, and secure homes that uplift the lives of the current and future NYCHA residents, and we look forward to continuing our work with the Chelsea community to make this long-overdue transformation a reality.”

“Today brings us one step closer to delivering new homes for Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea residents and expanding affordable housing in the neighborhood,” said Related Companies President Bruce A. Beal, Jr. “The Draft Environmental Impact Statement plays a crucial role in ensuring that this transformative project truly meets the needs of the community. We look forward to continuing this collaborative process and delivering Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea residents the safe and modern homes they deserve."

“Today’s publishing of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea Houses is an important step forward in bringing new modern, comfortable housing for all existing residents while adding approximately 3,500 new mixed-income apartments, including approximately 875 new affordable apartments,” said Congress Member Jerry Nadler. “As I have made clear throughout this process, NYCHA residents know their communities and developments best and must have a real voice in determining their future. And after more than six years of planning and meetings we are putting the needs and priorities of NYCHA residents front and center, ensuring a right to return for existing residents, expanded community facilities, and open space for the residents and the entire Chelsea community. With the current buildings in an unacceptable state of disrepair, and as New York faces a housing crisis, this redevelopment and expansion is more important than ever to meet the moment New Yorkers face. This victory has been years in the making, and I’m proud of my partnership with our City and West Side elected officials who never stop fighting for NYCHA residents.”

“The rehabilitation of the NYCHA Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea houses is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to provide new housing to thousands of residents in Chelsea,” said State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal. “The EIS is an important phase of this plan, and I’m looking forward to hearing the feedback from NYCHA residents, local community members and other stakeholders.”

“We have reached a new milestone in the redevelopment project for the Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea Houses, which will benefit thousands of my constituents with brand-new homes and modern amenities that they deserve,” said Assemblymember Tony Simone. “After six years of planning and historic levels of resident engagement, forward progress for the project means the current unacceptable living conditions will be a thing of the past. Not only will this bring new and beautiful homes to every resident, it will also bring a brand-new community center and major security upgrades to these buildings. I am proud to be part of a project that will ensure future generations of our neighbors will have access to safe and secure public housing.”

“The release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea Houses represents a crucial milestone in our commitment to improving housing in Manhattan,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “This process will help ensure our Chelsea neighbors receive the high-quality homes they deserve.”

“We have a responsibility to do right by the residents of Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea Houses — our neighbors who have endured unacceptable living conditions for far too long,” said Council Member Erik Bottcher. “This is about more than new buildings; it’s about creating healthy, resilient homes and vibrant public spaces that reflect the dignity and strength of this community. The release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement marks meaningful progress toward a future where every NYCHA resident lives with dignity and security.”

The EIS is required to satisfy National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review for federal actions and will satisfy the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) and City Environmental Quality Review implementing regulations for any potential State or City actions. The release of the DEIS is another critical step and includes analysis across various technical analysis areas, as outlined in the Draft and Final Scope of Work. The DEIS invites interested members of the public to submit comments for consideration through May 12. Residents and members of the public are invited to submit comments in writing (online or by mail) or at three public meetings to be held in April:

• April 16: remote/virtual meeting (4 p.m.)
• April 23: Fulton Senior Center (6 p.m.)
• April 24: Elliott-Chelsea Community Center (6:30 p.m.)

Environmental review documents, as well as information about how members of the public can submit comments, are available on the HPD and NYCHA websites. A notice is also published in the Federal Register. NYCHA will consider feedback received on the DEIS to incorporate into a Final EIS (FEIS).

In 2019, NYCHA launched an unprecedented, years-long resident engagement campaign at Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea Houses, and in 2021, the Authority worked with resident leaders to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to identify a partner team. For the first time in NYCHA’s history, a Resident Review Committee was formed and ultimately selected the team led by Essence Development and Related Companies to provide much-needed upgrades and quality of life improvements to their homes through the PACT program. In 2022, building assessments revealed extensive, advanced deterioration that would increase the cost of a renovation project. In mid-2023, following intensive engagement to understand residents’ preferred path forward, a new proposal was announced that would rebuild all 2,056 existing units with brand-new, enhanced homes and create up to 3,454 new mixed-income units and new community facilities and public spaces, while maintaining resident rights and protections. The vast majority of residents, or 94 percent of all households, would be able to stay in their current apartments while their new homes are built; the remaining six percent of households would be temporarily relocated to refreshed apartments within the campuses.

The NYCHA Board approved the Master Development Agreement in October 2024, and a Bridge Plan has been enacted for Essence and Related to provide additional security, pest control, building system repairs, and common area and in-unit repairs across the campuses before and during the construction of the new buildings. A Final Environmental Impact Statement is expected to be released in late summer 2025, with the financial closing of the first two buildings to follow.

The PACT program transitions developments from traditional public housing assistance to the more stable, federally funded Project-Based Section 8 program — unlocking funding for designated PACT partners to complete comprehensive repairs or build new, modern homes while preserving resident rights and protections. Overall, 146 NYCHA developments (representing nearly 39,000 apartments) are in pre-development, are under construction, or have completed construction through the program. This represents over $13 billion in capital repairs for the Authority. The Authority is working to include 62,000 apartments in the PACT program across NYCHA’s portfolio to bring the benefits of comprehensive apartment repairs and building upgrades, as well as enhanced property management and social services, to more than 142,000 residents.

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About the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)     

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), the largest public housing authority in North America, was created in 1934 to provide decent, affordable housing for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers. NYCHA is home to 1 in 17 New Yorkers, providing affordable housing to 520,808 authorized residents through public housing and Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) programs as well as Section 8 housing. NYCHA has 177,569 apartments in 2,411 buildings across 335 conventional public housing and PACT developments. In addition, NYCHA connects residents to critical programs and services from external and internal partners, with a focus on economic opportunity, youth, seniors, and social services. With a housing stock that spans all five boroughs, NYCHA is a city within a city.