Mold Busters: Resources

Truth be told, we’ve got mold. NYCHA is committed to providing residents with the healthy and safe homes they deserve and to taking the necessary actions to tackle mold at its developments. Mold is a shared issue that, to be addressed successfully, requires NYCHA and NYCHA residents to work together.

Here on this site, you can find all you need to know about mold, determine whether you and your household are impacted, and most importantly, learn what you can do to get rid of mold in your apartment and protect you and your loved ones from its potential health risks.

In its efforts to remediate mold from its developments, NYCHA has been taking proactive measures to meet the obligations of both the 2018 Revised Baez Consent Decree and the 2019 HUD Agreement. As part of this process, NYCHA has also revised its standard procedure for addressing mold complaints and introduced “Mold Busters” – an innovative new program informed by industry standards to effectively and efficiently remediate mold.

NYCHA has been taking the following measures to comprehensively address mold and moisture conditions:

• Better Tools: Staff use new tools to find and fix mold’s root causes, including moisture meters and new mold-fighting paint.
• Enhanced Training: Over 2,500 staff members receive comprehensive hands-on training in performing apartment inspections for mold and mold remediation.
• More Accountability: A new inspection and record-keeping process identifies the underlying causes of mold and/or moisture problems. A new quality assurance process ensures that staff properly address the root causes of mold and moisture. Finally, NYCHA has implemented a regular schedule to ensure that malfunctioning roof fans are identified and repaired in a timely manner.
• Streamlined Response: NYCHA staff prioritize and better coordinate mold-related repairs across skilled trades.
• Improved Communication: NYCHA improves communication with tenants by creating new informational tools and meeting with local Resident Associations to share information about the Mold Busters process.

How can I tell if I have mold in my apartment?

Mold tends to grow in damp places, such as bathrooms and kitchens. Check these places in your apartment. Mold can be many different colors, including gray, black, green, yellow and orange. It may look furry, slimy or powdery. Some mold has a musty, stale or earthy smell. Mold can go undetected, posing serious health risks to those exposed to it. Mold at NYCHA is measured by the square footage identified in each room. You can use a letter size (0.7’ x 0.91’) sheet of paper to help you measure it.

To learn what you can do if you find mold in your apartment, you can check the next page about Mold Remediation Procedure.

Why does mold matter?

Exposure to mold may cause or worsen asthma symptoms and possibly trigger an asthma attack. Allergens from mold can make their way into the air you breathe, which can cause a person to experience congestion, runny nose, coughing and trouble breathing. Mold can pose a higher risk for people suffering from health conditions such as:

• People with asthma, COPD, emphysema or other respiratory ailments.
• People who have had, or are currently undergoing, certain medical procedures (for example, bone marrow or organ transplants and chemotherapy).

If you think that you or a family member have symptoms caused by mold exposure, see a healthcare provider.

If you want to read more or spread the word to help your friends and family to identify and prevent mold, share our Resident's Guide below:

Residents who have already contacted the NYCHA Customer Contact Center (718-707-7771) but still have concerns or complaints regarding mold/leaks and any associated repairs can contact the NYCHA Compliance Department at compliance@nycha.nyc.gov or contact the independent court-appointed Ombudsperson Call Center (OCC) at 1-888-341-7152 or at ombnyc.com.

For more information about mold: Visit epa.gov/mold. For more information on NYCHA’s Mold Busters Program, visit on.nyc.gov/mold-busters.

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2023 Report on NYCHA’s Mold and Leak Response Efforts: Progress, Challenges and Next Steps

NYCHA has made notable progress in addressing the challenges related to mold and leaks, but significant challenges remain. NYCHA, in coordination with community advocates, court-appointed independent experts and Special Master, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and NYCHA’s Federal Monitor, has created several new departments and employed effective strategies to reduce its mold and leak work orders (WO or WOs), prevent mold occurrence and recurrence, and improve resident satisfaction. The report illustrates NYCHA’s progress and accomplishments from 2018 through the present.