NYCHA Elevates Emergency Transfer Priority for Domestic Violence Survivors, But More Action is Needed 

New York, NY – The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) recently took a step in the right direction by elevating the transfer priority for survivors of domestic violence in its newly finalized FY26 Administrative Plan—a long-overdue reform that follows LSNYC’s Trapped in Danger report recommendations and years of advocacy by LSNYC and partner organizations on behalf of tenants seeking emergency transfers. In the revised plan, NYCHA elevated emergency transfers for survivors of domestic violence into its top-priority category; a shift expected to shorten wait times that have historically stretched for years. LSNYC’s report revealed that roughly 2,000 survivors were waiting an average of 800 days — sometimes much longer — for safety in a new apartment. The report prompted a City Council oversight hearing and widespread attention to NYCHA’s backlog of vacant units and transfer delays. 

“It’s a great thing that NYCHA is moving in the right direction as far as elevating the emergency transfers priority,” said Sarah, a survivor of gender-based violence and LSNYC client featured in our December 2024 report. “But I want to see NYCHA do more. My life was almost taken during the time I was waiting for my emergency transfer. DV survivors need to be first in line for a transfer – our lives are at risk.”

“Elevating survivors’ transfers to top-tier priority is a meaningful step toward safety for families who have waited far too long to escape abuse,” said Luis Henríquez, Director of Litigation in Legal Services NYC’s Manhattan office. “But NYCHA must go further. Within the new system, there are still several categories of non-emergency relocations—such as tenants moved for building renovations or RAD conversions—above emergency transfers for survivors, which is against federal regulations. No one should have to wait years living in fear to find safety.” 

While NYCHA has taken a step in the right direction by incorporating key recommendations from LSNYC’s report, advocates continue to urge the agency to ensure that transfers for survivors are treated on par with all other emergency moves—including those from uninhabitable apartments—to bring NYCHA’s policy into full compliance and guarantee that every survivor can move swiftly into a secure home. NYCHA should also adopt other LSNYC recommendations, such as hiring a VAWA coordinator and partnering with DV rights community-based organizations so that survivors receive supportive services during the time that they are waiting for their emergency transfer. 

LSNYC’s report also pointed to NYCHA’s enormous number of vacant units—upwards of 8,000 across the system—stemming in large part from severe staff shortages. NYCHA cannot continue to ignore this problem. In addition, NYCHA is holding nearly 1,800 of its vacant apartments off the rent rolls entirely in anticipation of RAD conversion. While NYCHA may want to keep apartments available to relocate tenants as part of a RAD conversion, these relocations are not “emergency transfers” and, therefore, cannot be given a higher priority than transfers in which survivors of domestic violence are looking to escape dangerous, sometimes life-threatening situations. 

“Survivors of domestic and gender-based violence deserve to be and feel safe, especially in their homes,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “I am heartened that NYCHA has elevated transfer requests from survivors as a priority after advocacy from Legal Services NYC and community organizations and a Council oversight hearing. With significant funding secured by the Council to speed up the repair of vacant NYCHA units as part of our City for All agreement, we expect the Administration to ensure these apartments are brought back online as homes for New Yorkers. We thank Legal Services NYC and its partners for their important work, and we encourage NYCHA to continue taking meaningful steps to support survivors and deliver safety for residents.”

“NYCHA’s change in policy to prioritize transfers for domestic violence survivors is long overdue and welcomed news,” said Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala. “While this does move the needle in helping victims, there is still much more work to be done to ensure the safety and security of DV survivors, including making sure these emergency transfers have the same level of urgency as other emergency transfers and ensuring that NYCHA apartments are compliant so that they are ready for occupancy. As someone who has personally been affected by this, I know all too well the experience of the delays that come with waiting for a new home.  I want to thank Legal Services of New York for all their work and partnership to address the needs of DV survivors and hope that NYCHA will continue to take these recommendations so that survivors can lead safe and dignified lives.”

“The decision by NYCHA to prioritize the emergency transfer requests of survivors of gender-based violence is a huge win in the fight to protect some of our city’s most vulnerable residents,” said Councilmember Chris Banks, Chair of the NYC Council Committee on Public Housing. “The advocacy of Legal Services NYC and others, in support of keeping thousands of victims of gender-based violence who reside in NYCHA buildings safe, is a testament to the commitment to ensure that as a city, we take care of and prioritize the safety of our most at-risk residents.  This decision provides a foundation for NYCHA to build on as it addresses all areas of improving safety for NYCHA residents.  I look forward to continuing my work with NYCHA’s leadership, residents, and those advocacy organizations such as LSNYC to ensure we provide the safest environment possible for all NYCHA residents.”

“I am so grateful to see NYCHA taking into account the thoughtful policy recommendations of legal service advocates,” said Councilmember Alexa Avilés. We cannot delay support for public housing residents who are survivors of domestic violence. Giving them priority transfer status is an obvious public safety benefit that will prevent further domestic violence. This change is a victory for the many residents who will no longer have to wait extended periods while fearing for their safety. I hope more of Legal Services NYC’s recommendations will be adopted in the future.” 

“We commend NYCHA for taking this meaningful step to prioritize survivors of domestic violence in need of safe, stable housing,” said Noelle Withers, Chief Program Officer at Volunteers of America-Greater New York. “Every day, we see the courage it takes for survivors to seek help, and we know how essential secure housing is to healing and rebuilding. We hope NYCHA will continue building on this progress to enhance support for survivors.”

“NYCHA’s decision to finally elevate transfer priority for domestic violence survivors is more than a policy change — it is a life-saving shift that restores dignity, safety, and hope for families who have endured the unimaginable,” said Sisters In Purple Inc. Executive Director Angelina Rosado. This win shows what is possible when survivors, advocates, and community organizations stand in collective power. But while we celebrate this critical step forward, we also know the work is far from done. Survivors deserve a system that responds with urgency every single time — a system that ensures safe, rapid relocations, clear accountability, trauma-informed practices, and housing pathways that never force someone to choose between staying in danger or becoming homeless. We call on NYCHA to continue adopting the remaining recommendations so every survivor, in every borough, can access the safety and stability they deserve. Survivors are not asking for favors — they are demanding their right to live.”

“NYCHA’s new policy marks a meaningful shift toward safety for thousands of survivors across the city,” said Hon. Judy Harris Kluger, CEO of Sanctuary for Families. “Survivors deserve a housing system that responds quickly and centers their safety. NYCHA should build on this progress by placing survivor transfers on par with all other moves from unsafe housing, speeding the turnover of vacant units, and partnering with community-based organizations. This will help families fleeing violence access support and reach safe housing without unnecessary delay.

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Legal Services NYC fights poverty and seeks racial, social, and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. For over 50 years, LSNYC has challenged systemic injustices that trap people in poverty and helped clients meet basic needs for housing, income and economic security, family and immigration stability, education, and health care. Our staff of dedicated advocates have deep roots in the communities we serve so New Yorkers and their families can access the services, resources, and protections they need to survive. www.legalservicesnyc.org