Riis Houses Vote Overwhelmingly to Stay Public—FEC Against Demolition Calls for a Public Housing Reset

New York, NY — On April 4, NYCHA released the preliminary results from the resident vote at Riis Houses (Lower East Side, Manhattan), and the outcome was clear: tenants overwhelmingly voted to remain in Section 9 public housing, rejecting the proposed conversion to RAD PACT Section 8.
Out of 1,014 residents who voted,
647 chose to stay Section 9
367 chose RAD PACT
That’s 63.8% in favor of keeping public housing public.
This is a resounding victory for tenant power and a major milestone in the growing movement to protect NYCHA communities from privatization and demolition.
“Congratulations to the tenants of Riis,” said Renee Keitt, President of the Elliott-Chelsea Resident Association and founding member of FEC Against Demolition. “This victory is a testament to the power of organized tenants refusing to be silenced. They secured their right to remain under Section 9—the strongest housing protection. The message is clear: the tenants have spoken, and now NYCHA must listen.”

At a recent New York City Council hearing, convened by Chair Banks, NYCHA leadership confirmed that it will honor the outcome of resident votes on RAD PACT. We are holding them to that commitment.

The Riis Houses vote is part of a growing wave of opposition to privatization schemes masquerading as solutions. It’s time to reevaluate how we fund and rehabilitate public housing—without selling off our public assets to private developers.
We call on our elected officials—at every level of government—to step up and push for real, structural reform in public housing funding. This means increased federal investment, creative local financing tools, and above all, policies rooted in preservation—not demolition.
The people have spoken. Now the policy must follow.
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About FEC Against Demolition
FEC Against Demolition is a grassroots tenant coalition based at the Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea Houses, advocating for the preservation and reinvestment in NYCHA housing—without displacement, or demolition.