FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 25, 2025
CONTACT: media@nycha.nyc.gov | (212) 306-3322

$272.6 Million PACT Project to Renovate the Homes of Nearly 800 Residents at Metro North Plaza and Gaylord White Houses Moves Forward as NYCHA and Partners Close on Financing

This financial closing is a key milestone in the renovation of over 520 apartments in four residential buildings at two East Harlem developments

Each development will receive comprehensive renovations to improve the quality of life for residents, including upgrades to apartments, shared spaces, grounds, and building infrastructure

NEW YORK – On Thursday, September 25, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) closed on the financing for a $272.6 million Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) project that will bring comprehensive renovations for nearly 800 residents living in four residential buildings at Metro North Plaza and Gaylord White Houses. The buildings have now converted to Project-Based Section 8 through the federal Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program, unlocking funding that will allow the PACT partner team – non-profit organizations, The Community Builders and Ascendant Neighborhood Development – to address the capital needs of the developments and begin fully rehabilitating 523 apartments, as well as shared spaces, grounds, and building infrastructure, to improve residents' quality of life. The PACT program also maintains residents' rights and preserves affordable rents for all households.

Following the financial closing, Wavecrest Management will handle the day-to-day property management responsibilities at the developments. Social services will be expanded through a partnership with The Community Builders’ Community Life team and existing on-site and local social service providers. Additional details on the planned investments and improvements are outlined in the Community Plan documents for Metro North Plaza and Gaylord White Houses, which were developed through a collaboration between the partner team, residents, and NYCHA. A copy of the Community Plan will be distributed to every household at the start of construction.

“Today, nearly 800 NYCHA residents can rest assured that their homes are on a solid path toward improvement,”  said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Adolfo Carrión, Jr. “Thanks to the PACT program, NYCHA can deliver apartment renovations, grounds improvements, and upgrades to building infrastructure — all of which will enhance quality of life for residents.”

“I’m thrilled to see the partnership between NYCHA, the residents of Metro North Plaza and White Houses, Ascendant Neighborhood Development, and The Community Builders reach this important milestone,” said Executive Director for Housing Leila Bozorg. “Today’s closing marks a significant step toward delivering comprehensive improvements to resident homes and across the campus, ensuring that Metro North Plaza and White Houses remain affordable and become safe and healthy for the long term.” 

“Metro North Plaza and White Houses have served as the homes to generations of NYCHA residents, and it’s time to breathe new life into these apartments, buildings, and campuses so that they can continue to do so,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “With this financial closing, we can begin taking the necessary steps through the PACT program to comprehensively renovate these developments and deliver the quality of life that residents deserve for years to come.” 

"We are proud to announce the historic preservation of both Metro North Plaza and White Houses, developments that have been recognized for their historical significance” said NYCHA Executive Vice President and Chief Real Estate Officer Jonathan Gouveia. “Congratulations to our residents and PACT partners on reaching this milestone. We look forward to seeing your collaboration continue and investments made in these East Harlem communities.”  

“I’m really looking forward to working with Wavecrest towards the betterment of our community and neighborhood,” said Metro North Plaza Tenant Association President Stanley Johnson. “We’re looking forward to upgrades to our apartments, the buildings, and social services. More than anything, though, we’re looking forward to a new way of living.” 

“The residents of Gaylord White are really happy to know the project is finally moving forward,” said Gaylord White Houses Tenant Association President William Betancourt. “We’ve been waiting quite a while for this, and it’s a relief to know that we have, with Wavecrest, a management team that will address the problems we’ve had to live with for a long time. It feels like a miracle to see these changes coming to our community. We’re looking forward to not just better apartments, but a better quality of life.” 

“Once complete, the renovations guaranteed by this PACT partnership will improve the lives of more than 800 public housing residents while ensuring that Metro North Plaza and the White Houses remain affordable for generations to come,” said New York City Housing Development Corporation President Eric Enderlin. “HDC remains a proud partner in financing the crucial preservation of our city’s public housing stock.”

“The Community Builders is proud to preserve and revitalize Metro North Plaza and Gaylord White Houses, ensuring affordable housing remains a cornerstone of East Harlem,” said The Community Builders Senior Vice President of Real Estate Development for New York/New Jersey Jesse Batus. “This milestone reflects the power of collaboration with our project partners, the New York City Housing Authority, Ascendent Neighborhood Development, and East Harlem residents. Together, we are creating housing stability, economic opportunity, and brighter futures for more than 500 families who call this community home.” 

“This partnership with NYCHA and The Community Builders represents a critical investment in the futures of nearly 800 residents, the East Harlem community Ascendant has proudly served for almost four decades,” said Ascendant Neighborhood Development Executive Director and President Chris Cirillo. “Through the PACT program, our 100 percent non-profit team will deliver not just essential capital repairs and sustainability upgrades to over 500 apartments, but also important social services and community facilities that will strengthen and empower residents, ensuring Metro North Plaza and Gaylord White remain stable, affordable homes for generations to come.” 

“We are excited to be partnering with NYCHA and the incredible PACT team of The Community Builders (TCB) and Ascendant Neighborhood Development on the redevelopment of Metro North Plaza and Gaylord White,” said MDG Design & Construction Principal and Chief Executive Officer Matthew Rooney. “Together, the fully non-profit team of TCB and Ascendant bring an unmatched commitment to the community that will transform the lives of over 800 residents. Ascendant's hyper-local dedication and TCB's knowledge of the affordable housing industry have already laid the foundation for a successful revitalization.” 

“Wavecrest Management is proud to be selected as the new property manager at Metro North Plaza and Gaylord White,” said Wavecrest Management Chief Financial Officer Susan Camerata. “In partnership with NYCHA, the resident community, MDG Design & Construction, Ascendant Neighborhood Development, and The Community Builders, we are thrilled to be able to guarantee wraparound services for all residents that will improve quality of life while also ensuring long-term affordability.” 

Selected in coordination with resident leadership, the PACT partner team has worked closely with residents and NYCHA to design every aspect of the development's renovation since 2022. After years of community meetings, plans for the large-scale renovations have been finalized, and the team has closed on the necessary financing to begin construction, which is expected to take approximately three years.   

Renovations to both developments will include improvements to all apartments, building interiors, building systems, and public spaces. Façades will be repaired, roofs will be repaired or replaced, new windows will be installed, and elevators will be overhauled. Metro North and White will receive new security upgrades, including LED lighting installations; security cameras in common areas, stairwells, and building entrances; and new video intercom systems and key fob-controlled building entrances. 

Metro North Plaza's existing heating infrastructure will be converted to a hydronic system that will deliver consistent and reliable heat during cold winter months. New on-site resident amenities will be built out, including a new laundry facility and offices for the resident association, property management, and social service provider. Outdoor upgrades will include a new playground and fitness area, improved and additional seating, restored pathways, and new planters. Metro North Plaza has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places due to its significance as model of community-led development. It was originally completed in 1971. Building exteriors and common spaces will undergo functional improvements and restoration while maintaining the buildings’ historic character.  

White Houses is also listed on the National Register of Historic places, as the development was NYCHA’s first senior-only building. The rehabilitation must preserve the spirit of the original design at the campus. White Houses' heat and hot water systems will be modernized, including with new electric packaged terminal heat pumps (PTHP) in every apartment to improve efficiency and reliability. The on-site laundry facility will be restored to service, community center facilities and the tenant association office will be upgraded, and a new on-site management office will be built out on the ground floor. Outdoor upgrades will include new landscaping, improved and additional seating, fresh paving, and expanded shading structures. 

The Community Builders (TCB) is dedicated to building and sustaining strong, inclusive communities in New York City, with a presence spanning Queens, the Bronx, Manhattan, and beyond. Since 1964, TCB has advanced housing that is fair for all through award-winning affordable and mixed-income developments and its innovative Community Life model, creating homes, neighborhood amenities, and opportunity initiatives for families, seniors, and adults with disabilities. Today, TCB owns and manages over 15,000 apartment homes, connecting residents with resources to thrive. 

Founded in 1988, Ascendant Neighborhood Development is an East Harlem-based non-profit that connects residents and community partners to build and preserve affordable housing and cultivate thriving, resilient neighborhoods. 

Wavecrest Management is a family-owned and operated management company — specializing in affordable housing — overseeing over 30,000 units in residential buildings of all sizes across New York City and Nassau and Westchester counties. With over 40 years of industry experience, Wavecrest Management is committed to preserving both the financial and physical viability of residential housing, and also ensuring residents have direct access to programs and services that increase community engagement and quality of life. 

The PACT program transitions developments from traditional Section 9 assistance to Project-Based Section 8 and unlocks funding for resident-selected PACT partners to complete comprehensive repairs and to oversee daily property management of the campus. Overall, 146 NYCHA developments (representing over 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 in order 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.