What Is the Housing Preservation and Development Department or HPD?

A recent news article published by the Bronx Times shines a light on the deplorable living conditions in some apartment buildings in the Bronx, New York.  The article highlights the Bronx’s worst apartment buildings and underscores the importance of the Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) department in addressing these issues.  In this blog post, we will explain the role of the HPD, its regulatory and enforcement functions, and how it is working to improve the living conditions for tenants in these buildings.

The Housing Preservation and Development (HPD)

The HPD is the largest municipal housing preservation and development agency in the United States.  It plays a crucial role in ensuring  the safety and quality of housing for New York City residents.  The HPD is responsible for overseeing the construction, maintenance, and repair of buildings in the city, as well as addressing housing-related issues like affordability, tenant harassment, and building violations.

Regulation and Enforcement

The HPD enforces housing-related regulations through the issuance of violations.  Violations can range from minor infractions, like inadequate lighting in public areas, to severe issues, such as a lack of heat or hot water.  The department conducts inspections of buildings to identify these violations and issues penalties accordingly. When a violation is issued, building owners are responsible for addressing the problem within a specified time frame.  Failure to do so can result in fines, legal actions, or even the placement of the building in the Alternative Enforcement Program (AEP).  The AEP is a program designed to address severe and persistent housing violations in the most distressed buildings.  Through the AEP, the HPD has the authority to make necessary repairs and bill the building owner for the cost of those repairs.

The Bronx’s Worst Apartment Buildings, According to HPD’s Report

The Bronx Times article points out several apartment buildings with numerous outstanding violations.  These buildings suffer from a range of issues, including mold, water damage, infestations, flooring and ceiling defects, and inadequate heating.  Tenants in these buildings have endured dangerous and unhealthy living conditions, emphasizing the need for the HPD to take action.  According the the Bronx Times Article, here is a list of Bronx buildings identified in the HPD’s 2023 Alternative Enforcement Program:

4014 AMUNDSON AVE.
974 ANDERSON AVE.
1191 ANDERSON AVE.
2160 ANTHONY AVE.
2723 BARNES AVE.
2384 BELMONT AVE.
1898 BILLINGSLEY TERRACE
1384 BOSTON ROAD
1390 BOSTON ROAD
3750 BRONX BLVD.
250 BROOK AVE.
504 BROOK AVE.
735 BRYANT AVE.
2443 CAMBRELENG AVE.
1110 COLLEGE AVE.
1142 COLLEGE AVE.
2537 DECATUR AVE.
342 E. 148 ST.
727 E. 156 ST.
291 E. 162 ST.
450 E. 165 ST.
214 E. 168 ST.
363 E. 180 ST.
490 E. 181 ST.
416 E. 187 ST.
553 E. 188 ST.
712 E. 214 ST.
854 E. 214 ST.
716 E. 216 ST.
855 E. 217 ST.
864 E. 221 ST.
709 FAIRMOUNT PLACE
1056 FINDLAY AVE.
1125 FINDLAY AVE.
3444 FISH AVE.
1067 GRANT AVE.
3804 GREYSTONE AVE.
1118 JACKSON AVE.
2128 JEROME AVE.
3036 KINGSBRIDGE TERRACE
1315 LAFAYETTE AVE.
1255 LONGFELLOW AVE.
1485 MACOMBS ROAD
857 MACY PLACE
106 MARCY PLACE
2557 MARION AVE.
1967 MARMION AVE.
918 MORRIS AVE.
1235 MORRIS AVE.
1380 OGDEN AVE.
4585 PARK AVE.
3816 REVIEW PLACE
2105 RYER AVE.
725 SOUTHERN BLVD.
1202 SPOFFORD AVE.
903 SUMMIT AVE.
993 SUMMIT AVE.
1723 TAYLOR AVE.
2240 TIEBOUT AVE.
2489 TIEBOUT AVE.
1750 TOPPING AVE.
2348 UNIVERSITY AVE.
2028 VALENTINE AVE.
540 VAN NEST AVE.
2572 WALLACE AVE.
1770 WALTON AVE.
1088 WASHINGTON AVE.
2179 WASHINGTON AVE.
64 W. 165 ST.
806 WESTCHESTER AVE.
1531 WESTCHESTER AVE.

HPD’s Efforts to Address Building Violations

The HPD is taking active steps to address the issues in the Bronx’s worst apartment buildings. Besides conducting regular inspections and issuing violations, the department has initiated various programs and resources to help building owners and tenants. For instance, the HPD offers the Emergency Repair Program (ERP), which steps in to make emergency repairs in buildings where the owner has failed to address critical issues.  The cost of these repairs is then billed to the building owner.  Additionally, the HPD provides financial assistance and loans to building owners to encourage them to maintain and improve their properties. The HPD also offers resources for tenants, such as the Tenant Resources Portal, which provides information on tenant’s rights, how to report violations, and how to access legal assistance in case of disputes with building owners.

How Do You Find Out if a Building has HPD Violations?

There are several ways to learn if a building has HPD violations:

1. Visit NYC Housing Preservation & Development
2. Search the address or building identification number (BIN):  Once you have accessed the HPDONLINE system, you can search for a building by entering its address or building identification number (BIN) in the appropriate search box.  The BIN is a unique seven-digit number assigned to each building in New York City.
3. View property details and violation records:  After entering the address or BIN, click the “Search” button. The system will display the property details and associated records, including open violations, closed violations, and other relevant information
4. Review violations details:  You can click on the violation record to view more details about the specific violation, including the type of violation, the issue date, a description of the violation, and the current status (open or closed).  This information can help you understand the severity of the violation and whether it has been addressed by the property owner.

Keep in mind that HPD records may not include all potential issues with a building, as some violations might be reported to other city agencies, such as the Department of Buildings (DOB),  or the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH).  To get a comprehensive understanding of a building’s conditions and history, it is advisable to check records from multiple city agencies.

Bronx Accident Lawyers24-7.com | Ask Questions – Get Answers

If you have any questions about violations in your building that may have caused you an injury, contact our experienced premises liability attorneys by email or by calling (800) 762-9300 for a free consultation.  You can also simply fill out one of our case intake forms and we will have one of our attorneys get right back to you.

You Might Also Be Interested In:

• What is Premises Liability?
• What If I Was Hurt on Property Owned by the City of New York?