The apartment showcased by Bronx Mayor Mamdani to highlight the abilities of newly appointed Housing Commissioner Dina Levy has accumulated close to 200 unresolved violations, according to reports.
As of Saturday, the 102-unit property located at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in Morris Heights had an alarming total of 194 violations dating back to 2016. This includes 88 “Class C” violations, classified as presenting “imminent danger.”
The issues reported include problems with rat and cockroach infestations, a broken refrigerator, dysfunctional doors, and mold issues, according to public records.
Mamdani is positioned as a supporter of hip-hop culture. On January 4, he introduced Levy, aged 54, who has a history as a tenant rights advocate and served as a government housing official, as the new Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner.
Levy, daughter of two notable Washington, D.C. attorneys, brings experience in overseeing nonprofit affordable housing projects. This background aligns well with Mamdani’s progressive housing agenda, which aims to replace private landlords when possible.
Levy, who reportedly earns $277,605 annually as HPD Commissioner, previously facilitated a 2011 agreement for the nonprofit Labor and Housing Advisors to acquire and renovate the Sedgwick Avenue building from a private landlord.
This transition was supported by a $5.6 million HPD loan orchestrated by Levy and her nonprofit, the Urban Homesteading Assistance Committee, aimed at stabilizing finances and maintaining the building’s affordable status, as noted by Mamdani.
“Dina will no longer need to advocate for changes from the outside,” the mayor remarked. “She will now lead from within, effecting significant changes.”
However, the 59-year-old building is not the success story that Mamdani and Levy have portrayed, according to the Post.
A significantly larger number of “Class C” violations exist at a different property in Brooklyn, 85 Clarkson Avenue, which Mamdani had recently criticized as indicative of the flaws in the city’s subsidized housing system.
Tenants at Sedgwick Avenue have expressed that living conditions were superior when managed by previous private landlords.
“I’ve been here over 20 years, and it was better with private management since they screened tenants effectively,” said Mordistin Alexander, one of the residents facing open HPD violations.
Alexander, who has occupied her three-bedroom unit since 1999, described issues like frequent lack of heat and hot water, crumbling bathroom and kitchen fixtures, and unaddressed window replacements. She’s even avoided using her kitchen lights for months, despite requesting maintenance since October.
Additionally, she had to address a serious rodent issue on her own, as issues were taking too long to resolve.
“Since the nonprofit took over, the building has fallen into disrepair. Without a porter, complaints often go unnoticed, especially if you’re a frequent complainer,” Alexander remarked, indicating regret over the decision to hand over the building’s management to a nonprofit.
Still, Mamdani aims to expand the model exemplified by the Sedgwick Avenue property. He is backing legislation that would regulate private property sales to allow more nonprofits to manage rent-stabilized apartments.
City Councilwoman Joanne Arriola (R-Queens) pointed out the contradictions, stating, “These nonprofits have proven to be nothing more than tax-funded slumlords, demonstrating a glaring double standard as part of the administration’s broader attempt to attack private property rights in the city.”
Levy, much like Mamdani’s new Office for Tenant Protection lead, also comes from a privileged background. She is the twin daughter of prominent attorneys and lived in a wealthy neighborhood, having recently sold a historic Georgetown townhouse.
Levy, a University of Delaware alum, has been an influential tenant advocate for years and has even engaged with gang members as part of her activism.
Despite her radical past, she has previously noted that her direct approach often frustrated landlords.
It’s worth noting that the Sedgwick Avenue building has more unresolved HPD violations than approximately three-quarters of New York City’s privately managed rent-stabilized buildings. Critics like Kenny Burgos, a former Bronx councilman, say Mamdani is overly focused on diminishing private property amidst these ongoing issues.
Even without profit motives, nonprofit management has a history of high violation rates. As Burgos pointed out, leveraging government support hasn’t translated to effective management practices.
While the Workforce Housing Group has not commented, HPD has defended Levy’s role in the acquisition of the Sedgwick Avenue complex, stating that she worked with tenants to keep the property affordable and that an $8 million renovation is underway to improve living conditions.
