This research addresses the recent policy shift in the provision of affordable housing in New York, namely the privatization of this “public good” during the early government-funded NYCHA public housing to the more recent public-private partnerships and fully privately funded and owned affordable housing units. The author addresses the following questions: How could privatization benefit NYCHA housing given the ever increasing demand for more units and better quality? What strategies could help NYCHA provide functioning housing units more efficiently? The history of affordable housing policy is studied along with comparison of typical publicly funded and managed NYCHA housing and public-private partnered affordable housing. NYCHA public housing is mostly funded by federal or city subsidy. The study examines the possible privatization of NYCHA development and looks into privatized affordable development to find strategies for improvement of space, quality and service. Recommendations are made based on results of quantitative analysis, site observation, and theory of public goods and privatization.

These recommendations are also based on interview findings, interviews with residents, developers and housing officials.