Dozens of Low-Income, Self-Managed Co-ops Have Made the "Worst Landlord" List

Jan. 26, 2016 — Leaky roofs, mold, unpaid back taxes. These are just a few of the things that win laurels as a “Worst Landlord” in New York City.

Of the 196 Manhattan buildings to rate an ignominious place on Public Advocate Letitia James’s “Worst Landlord” list, 33 are Housing Development Fund Corporation (HDFC) co-ops, DNAinfo reports.

The city’s department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), which created the HDFC program as a way for low-income New Yorkers to become home owners, is considering steps to improve the mismanaged properties. HPD is working with a non-profit to provide financial management training for boards and shareholders.

Critics of the program say residents don’t receive adequate training and support. Many of the mismanaged co-ops also owe millions in back taxes to the city.

The HDFC co-op at 448 St. Nicholas Avenue had 213 violations for such things as a leaky roof and mold, which shareholders reported by calling 311.

“None of these buildings are supposed to be on this list,” said Elisia Vasquez, a housing advocate. “The fact that they are calling 311 on themselves is appalling because at the end of the day these co-ops are supposed to sustain themselves, but instead they’re giving themselves all these violations.”