NYCHA’s Clean Vents Initiative

In December 2020, NYCHA launched the Clean Vents Initiative (CVI) to immediately improve ventilation and air circulation in NYCHA apartments that have bathroom and kitchen vents. NYCHA will ultimately clean these vents in about 115,000 apartments across its portfolio.

Cleaning the vents significantly improves indoor air quality. Over the years, dust and debris build up in vents; this can reduce or prevent the movement of air through the vents, contributing to a humid environment that can promote mold growth. Cleaning the vents typically improves the airflow in the apartment by about 37 percent.

The NYCHA staff or contractors who clean the vents are equipped with a HEPA (“high-efficiency particulate air”) vacuum, materials to protect residents’ belongings, and clean-up supplies. It takes an average of 15 minutes to clean each vent.

Residents will be informed of the upcoming cleaning in their apartment via a notice at least 48 hours in advance. Residents should prepare for the visit by clearing their belongings from around the vent area in the kitchen and/or bathroom. If residents cannot provide access to their apartment when the team is cleaning the vents at their development, they can request vent cleaning at a later date by calling the Customer Contact Center at 718-707-7771.

The Clean Vents Initiative is part of NYCHA’s larger efforts to improve and modernize ventilation at its developments, which includes installing and upgrading roof fans, cleaning building ventilation systems, and cleaning or installing fire dampers inside building ventilation systems.

NYCHA is hiring residents as part of the Clean Vents Initiative! NYCHA residents who are interested in work opportunities at NYCHA’s Office of Mold Assessment and Remediation, which is carrying out the Clean Vents Initiative, should contact NYCHA’s Office of Economic Empowerment & Sustainability (REES).