Patrick Spauster
@patrickspauster.com
Covering housing and homelessness in NYC for @citylimitsnews.bsky.social. urban planner and NY Liberty diehard 🏀🗽
patrickspauster.com
patrickspauster.com
Pinned
Patrick Spauster
@patrickspauster.com
· Jun 2
Some personal news: I'm joining @citylimitsnews.bsky.social to cover housing and homelessness. Today is my first day! It's a publication I hold in great regard and a topic crucial to NYers. Hit me up with tips and all things housing, policy, and NYC patrick@citylimits.org
Reposted by Patrick Spauster
This has huge consequences for thousands of low-income Americans:
In 2021, Congress allotted $5B to fund 70K 'Emergency Housing Vouchers'
NYC got 7,500+, the most in the country
Last March, the Trump admin alerted housing agencies that the money was about to expire — 5y earlier than expected...
In 2021, Congress allotted $5B to fund 70K 'Emergency Housing Vouchers'
NYC got 7,500+, the most in the country
Last March, the Trump admin alerted housing agencies that the money was about to expire — 5y earlier than expected...
"Just as one local agency arrived at a solution to plug the aid, another’s plan collapsed– leaving thousands of households in jeopardy...
'NYCHA no longer has the funding required to accomplish this transition',"
important reporting from @davidfbrand.bsky.social
buff.ly/gPxa1j9
'NYCHA no longer has the funding required to accomplish this transition',"
important reporting from @davidfbrand.bsky.social
buff.ly/gPxa1j9
NYC still struggling to replace emergency housing vouchers set to expire under Trump
Just as one city housing agency devised a “stopgap” for replacing a federal housing assistance program for thousands of New Yorkers, NYCHA’s plan collapsed.
gothamist.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:51 PM
This has huge consequences for thousands of low-income Americans:
In 2021, Congress allotted $5B to fund 70K 'Emergency Housing Vouchers'
NYC got 7,500+, the most in the country
Last March, the Trump admin alerted housing agencies that the money was about to expire — 5y earlier than expected...
In 2021, Congress allotted $5B to fund 70K 'Emergency Housing Vouchers'
NYC got 7,500+, the most in the country
Last March, the Trump admin alerted housing agencies that the money was about to expire — 5y earlier than expected...
"Just as one local agency arrived at a solution to plug the aid, another’s plan collapsed– leaving thousands of households in jeopardy...
'NYCHA no longer has the funding required to accomplish this transition',"
important reporting from @davidfbrand.bsky.social
buff.ly/gPxa1j9
'NYCHA no longer has the funding required to accomplish this transition',"
important reporting from @davidfbrand.bsky.social
buff.ly/gPxa1j9
NYC still struggling to replace emergency housing vouchers set to expire under Trump
Just as one city housing agency devised a “stopgap” for replacing a federal housing assistance program for thousands of New Yorkers, NYCHA’s plan collapsed.
gothamist.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:48 PM
"Just as one local agency arrived at a solution to plug the aid, another’s plan collapsed– leaving thousands of households in jeopardy...
'NYCHA no longer has the funding required to accomplish this transition',"
important reporting from @davidfbrand.bsky.social
buff.ly/gPxa1j9
'NYCHA no longer has the funding required to accomplish this transition',"
important reporting from @davidfbrand.bsky.social
buff.ly/gPxa1j9
Reposted by Patrick Spauster
Late to this @patrickspauster.com @citylimitsnews.bsky.social story, but it's excellent and maddening. Seems like NYC should just fix this with some new law!
"At Bruckner House, residents say the divider between the rich and poor is not a doorperson, but a key fob."
"At Bruckner House, residents say the divider between the rich and poor is not a doorperson, but a key fob."
The New 'Poor Door': Amenity Fees Are Too High for Affordable Housing Tenants - City Limits
Tenants who get affordable housing through the city’s lottery or a rental assistance voucher often can’t afford amenity fees in new mixed-income luxury buildings, creating what one described as a "two...
citylimits.org
February 13, 2026 at 3:21 PM
Late to this @patrickspauster.com @citylimitsnews.bsky.social story, but it's excellent and maddening. Seems like NYC should just fix this with some new law!
"At Bruckner House, residents say the divider between the rich and poor is not a doorperson, but a key fob."
"At Bruckner House, residents say the divider between the rich and poor is not a doorperson, but a key fob."
Housing advocates were critical of Mamdani for not moving forward with expanding eligibility for the CityFHEPs housing voucher program, as he promised during the campaign.
That and a more from a busy week in housing w/ @citylimitsnews.bsky.social-> buff.ly/rFHGDiU
That and a more from a busy week in housing w/ @citylimitsnews.bsky.social-> buff.ly/rFHGDiU
‘Honor His Promise’: Advocates Criticize Mamdani’s CityFHEPS Reversal, and What Else Happened This Week in Housing
Mayor Zohran Mamdani pledged to expand eligibility for city housing vouchers according to City Council laws that his predecessor failed to implement. Faced with steep fiscal challenges, he said the…
citylimits.org
February 13, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Housing advocates were critical of Mamdani for not moving forward with expanding eligibility for the CityFHEPs housing voucher program, as he promised during the campaign.
That and a more from a busy week in housing w/ @citylimitsnews.bsky.social-> buff.ly/rFHGDiU
That and a more from a busy week in housing w/ @citylimitsnews.bsky.social-> buff.ly/rFHGDiU
Wow: Times is reporting that 7 people died from the cold in private residences during the cold snap. That's in addition to 18 that died outside
I reported how the city received a record number of calls about no heat/hot water in apartment buildings last week.
buff.ly/udRMIgX
I reported how the city received a record number of calls about no heat/hot water in apartment buildings last week.
buff.ly/udRMIgX
February 11, 2026 at 10:05 PM
Wow: Times is reporting that 7 people died from the cold in private residences during the cold snap. That's in addition to 18 that died outside
I reported how the city received a record number of calls about no heat/hot water in apartment buildings last week.
buff.ly/udRMIgX
I reported how the city received a record number of calls about no heat/hot water in apartment buildings last week.
buff.ly/udRMIgX
NYC's new affordable housing is increasingly found in mixed-income bldgs
But affordable hsg tenants tell me @citylimitsnews.bsky.social they can't use all of their buildings b/c of exorbitant amenity fees
"My first thought was that it was making a two-tiered system"
citylimits.org/the-new-poor...
But affordable hsg tenants tell me @citylimitsnews.bsky.social they can't use all of their buildings b/c of exorbitant amenity fees
"My first thought was that it was making a two-tiered system"
citylimits.org/the-new-poor...
February 9, 2026 at 3:13 PM
NYC's new affordable housing is increasingly found in mixed-income bldgs
But affordable hsg tenants tell me @citylimitsnews.bsky.social they can't use all of their buildings b/c of exorbitant amenity fees
"My first thought was that it was making a two-tiered system"
citylimits.org/the-new-poor...
But affordable hsg tenants tell me @citylimitsnews.bsky.social they can't use all of their buildings b/c of exorbitant amenity fees
"My first thought was that it was making a two-tiered system"
citylimits.org/the-new-poor...
After we published this story yesterday, @nychousing.bsky.social reinspected Nicole Gallan’s unit and issued violations for heat and a defective radiator.
The landlord has yet to revolve several open heat and hot water violations throughout the building at 155 Linden blvd.
The landlord has yet to revolve several open heat and hot water violations throughout the building at 155 Linden blvd.
Last month set a record with 80,000 311 calls about no heat. 30k came just last week
As 16 new yorkers have died in the cold, thousands of tenants are wearing layers to sleep. Mamdani has pledged to fix a "broken" code inspections system
My @citylimitsnews.bsky.social story:https://buff.ly/0rt1XhC
As 16 new yorkers have died in the cold, thousands of tenants are wearing layers to sleep. Mamdani has pledged to fix a "broken" code inspections system
My @citylimitsnews.bsky.social story:https://buff.ly/0rt1XhC
February 4, 2026 at 11:47 PM
After we published this story yesterday, @nychousing.bsky.social reinspected Nicole Gallan’s unit and issued violations for heat and a defective radiator.
The landlord has yet to revolve several open heat and hot water violations throughout the building at 155 Linden blvd.
The landlord has yet to revolve several open heat and hot water violations throughout the building at 155 Linden blvd.
At a press conference this morning, Mayor Mamdani said that sea ice was preventing heating fuel from getting to the city by boat, which may contribute to the record number of heat complaints last week.
Many buildings like 155 Linden, which I profile herein, have old oil boilers
Many buildings like 155 Linden, which I profile herein, have old oil boilers
Last month set a record with 80,000 311 calls about no heat. 30k came just last week
As 16 new yorkers have died in the cold, thousands of tenants are wearing layers to sleep. Mamdani has pledged to fix a "broken" code inspections system
My @citylimitsnews.bsky.social story:https://buff.ly/0rt1XhC
As 16 new yorkers have died in the cold, thousands of tenants are wearing layers to sleep. Mamdani has pledged to fix a "broken" code inspections system
My @citylimitsnews.bsky.social story:https://buff.ly/0rt1XhC
February 4, 2026 at 6:36 PM
At a press conference this morning, Mayor Mamdani said that sea ice was preventing heating fuel from getting to the city by boat, which may contribute to the record number of heat complaints last week.
Many buildings like 155 Linden, which I profile herein, have old oil boilers
Many buildings like 155 Linden, which I profile herein, have old oil boilers
Reposted by Patrick Spauster
Last month set a record with 80,000 311 calls about no heat. 30k came just last week
As 16 new yorkers have died in the cold, thousands of tenants are wearing layers to sleep. Mamdani has pledged to fix a "broken" code inspections system
My @citylimitsnews.bsky.social story:https://buff.ly/0rt1XhC
As 16 new yorkers have died in the cold, thousands of tenants are wearing layers to sleep. Mamdani has pledged to fix a "broken" code inspections system
My @citylimitsnews.bsky.social story:https://buff.ly/0rt1XhC
February 3, 2026 at 11:22 PM
Last month set a record with 80,000 311 calls about no heat. 30k came just last week
As 16 new yorkers have died in the cold, thousands of tenants are wearing layers to sleep. Mamdani has pledged to fix a "broken" code inspections system
My @citylimitsnews.bsky.social story:https://buff.ly/0rt1XhC
As 16 new yorkers have died in the cold, thousands of tenants are wearing layers to sleep. Mamdani has pledged to fix a "broken" code inspections system
My @citylimitsnews.bsky.social story:https://buff.ly/0rt1XhC
Last month set a record with 80,000 311 calls about no heat. 30k came just last week
As 16 new yorkers have died in the cold, thousands of tenants are wearing layers to sleep. Mamdani has pledged to fix a "broken" code inspections system
My @citylimitsnews.bsky.social story:https://buff.ly/0rt1XhC
As 16 new yorkers have died in the cold, thousands of tenants are wearing layers to sleep. Mamdani has pledged to fix a "broken" code inspections system
My @citylimitsnews.bsky.social story:https://buff.ly/0rt1XhC
February 3, 2026 at 11:22 PM
Last month set a record with 80,000 311 calls about no heat. 30k came just last week
As 16 new yorkers have died in the cold, thousands of tenants are wearing layers to sleep. Mamdani has pledged to fix a "broken" code inspections system
My @citylimitsnews.bsky.social story:https://buff.ly/0rt1XhC
As 16 new yorkers have died in the cold, thousands of tenants are wearing layers to sleep. Mamdani has pledged to fix a "broken" code inspections system
My @citylimitsnews.bsky.social story:https://buff.ly/0rt1XhC
January 2026 w/
Hayley Williams
Jeff Buckley
KeiyA
Kinji
Bricknasty
open.spotify.com/playlist/2cc...
music.apple.com/us/playlist/...
Hayley Williams
Jeff Buckley
KeiyA
Kinji
Bricknasty
open.spotify.com/playlist/2cc...
music.apple.com/us/playlist/...
January 2026 by Patrick Spauster on Apple Music
Playlist · 29 Songs
music.apple.com
January 31, 2026 at 10:35 PM
January 2026 w/
Hayley Williams
Jeff Buckley
KeiyA
Kinji
Bricknasty
open.spotify.com/playlist/2cc...
music.apple.com/us/playlist/...
Hayley Williams
Jeff Buckley
KeiyA
Kinji
Bricknasty
open.spotify.com/playlist/2cc...
music.apple.com/us/playlist/...
Inbox: Stanley Richards, who fought for the recently-revived Just Home housing project for formerly incarcerated folks is about to be named Department of Corrections Commissioner.
Here's what he told me about the connection between housing and the justice system last year:
Here's what he told me about the connection between housing and the justice system last year:
January 31, 2026 at 9:20 PM
Inbox: Stanley Richards, who fought for the recently-revived Just Home housing project for formerly incarcerated folks is about to be named Department of Corrections Commissioner.
Here's what he told me about the connection between housing and the justice system last year:
Here's what he told me about the connection between housing and the justice system last year:
Reposted by Patrick Spauster
Hours before a man was found dead on a Midtown Manhattan sidewalk, a bldg super called the city for help
Police say they drove by but didn’t see the man, who had an apartment a mile away
More on how 1 person in crisis slipped through gaps in NYC’s social safety net
gothamist.com/news/mans-de...
Police say they drove by but didn’t see the man, who had an apartment a mile away
More on how 1 person in crisis slipped through gaps in NYC’s social safety net
gothamist.com/news/mans-de...
Man’s death on freezing Manhattan street reveals limits of NYC's emergency response
Frederick Jones had an apartment and on-site services. He died on a Midtown street corner anyway.
gothamist.com
January 30, 2026 at 7:58 PM
Hours before a man was found dead on a Midtown Manhattan sidewalk, a bldg super called the city for help
Police say they drove by but didn’t see the man, who had an apartment a mile away
More on how 1 person in crisis slipped through gaps in NYC’s social safety net
gothamist.com/news/mans-de...
Police say they drove by but didn’t see the man, who had an apartment a mile away
More on how 1 person in crisis slipped through gaps in NYC’s social safety net
gothamist.com/news/mans-de...
Reposted by Patrick Spauster
Amid the cold, New Yorkers have lodged 26,000 complaints about lack of heat or hot water, the most in a 7-day period since 2018, City Limits’ @patrickspauster.com found. He spoke to The Brian Lehrer Show this morning about what tenants can do: citylimits.org/listen-no-he...
LISTEN: 'No Heat' During NYC's Cold Spell? - City Limits
City Limits' reporter Patrick Spauster spoke to WNYC's The Brian Lehrer Show about what tenants can do if their heat isn't working.
citylimits.org
January 28, 2026 at 11:19 PM
Amid the cold, New Yorkers have lodged 26,000 complaints about lack of heat or hot water, the most in a 7-day period since 2018, City Limits’ @patrickspauster.com found. He spoke to The Brian Lehrer Show this morning about what tenants can do: citylimits.org/listen-no-he...
On @wnyc.org this morning I spoke with Amina Srna about the record breaking week we are having for tenants reporting heat and hot water outages to 311 and how they can get help.
Sometimes calling 311 doesn’t get it done. Here’s a few ways you can protect yourself:
citylimits.org/no-heat-comp...
Sometimes calling 311 doesn’t get it done. Here’s a few ways you can protect yourself:
citylimits.org/no-heat-comp...
January 28, 2026 at 7:56 PM
On @wnyc.org this morning I spoke with Amina Srna about the record breaking week we are having for tenants reporting heat and hot water outages to 311 and how they can get help.
Sometimes calling 311 doesn’t get it done. Here’s a few ways you can protect yourself:
citylimits.org/no-heat-comp...
Sometimes calling 311 doesn’t get it done. Here’s a few ways you can protect yourself:
citylimits.org/no-heat-comp...
Asked about CHEPS costs, Mamdani says they asked for more time to work on a settlement in the CityFHEPS expansion case (which he previously said he'd drop). "We are looking to be honest and direct w/ Nyers"
On if they'll expand eligibility for the program: "Those conversations are ongoing"
On if they'll expand eligibility for the program: "Those conversations are ongoing"
Mamdani may not be able to afford to expand the CityFheps program in this budget.
But implementing the expansion, as the Adams administration refused to do, was a campaign promise. Can he afford not to?
citylimits.org/can-mamdani-...
But implementing the expansion, as the Adams administration refused to do, was a campaign promise. Can he afford not to?
citylimits.org/can-mamdani-...
Can Mamdani Afford to Expand the CityFHEPS Voucher Program? - City Limits
Zohran Mamdani promised to expand eligibility for the CityFHEPS rental voucher program to people with slightly higher incomes and households at risk of eviction, but a larger than expected fiscal defi...
citylimits.org
January 28, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Asked about CHEPS costs, Mamdani says they asked for more time to work on a settlement in the CityFHEPS expansion case (which he previously said he'd drop). "We are looking to be honest and direct w/ Nyers"
On if they'll expand eligibility for the program: "Those conversations are ongoing"
On if they'll expand eligibility for the program: "Those conversations are ongoing"
I’m going to be on @thebrianlehrershow.bsky.social @wnyc.org at 10:40 this morning to talk about how to get help if you don’t have heat in tour apartment during this cold spell in NYC. Tune in! 93.9 fm
WNYC | New York Public Radio, Podcasts, Live Streaming Radio, News
WNYC is America's most listened-to public radio station and the producer of award-winning programs and podcasts like Radiolab, On the Media, and The Brian Lehrer Show.
buff.ly
January 28, 2026 at 1:19 PM
I’m going to be on @thebrianlehrershow.bsky.social @wnyc.org at 10:40 this morning to talk about how to get help if you don’t have heat in tour apartment during this cold spell in NYC. Tune in! 93.9 fm
Since I reported this story a week and a half ago, DCP leadership has reportedly:
- met with urban design stakeholders to hear concerns
- received letters of protest from DCP staff
- is now being petitioned to reverse the restructuring
With Garodnick stepping down, no new head planner named yet.
- met with urban design stakeholders to hear concerns
- received letters of protest from DCP staff
- is now being petitioned to reverse the restructuring
With Garodnick stepping down, no new head planner named yet.
The NYC Department of City Planning is shuttering its urban design division right before a leadership transition.
Critics worry that by reassigning designers who consider the public realm will deprioritize livability as the city plans to build much more housing. buff.ly/GlB9MgY
Critics worry that by reassigning designers who consider the public realm will deprioritize livability as the city plans to build much more housing. buff.ly/GlB9MgY
January 27, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Since I reported this story a week and a half ago, DCP leadership has reportedly:
- met with urban design stakeholders to hear concerns
- received letters of protest from DCP staff
- is now being petitioned to reverse the restructuring
With Garodnick stepping down, no new head planner named yet.
- met with urban design stakeholders to hear concerns
- received letters of protest from DCP staff
- is now being petitioned to reverse the restructuring
With Garodnick stepping down, no new head planner named yet.
Interesting story from @davidfbrand.bsky.social: @bkbpreynoso is proactively releasing guidelines for what types of housing projects he might push through over local councilmember objection based on his comprehensive plan for the borough.
buff.ly/MK0EEnc
buff.ly/MK0EEnc
January 27, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Interesting story from @davidfbrand.bsky.social: @bkbpreynoso is proactively releasing guidelines for what types of housing projects he might push through over local councilmember objection based on his comprehensive plan for the borough.
buff.ly/MK0EEnc
buff.ly/MK0EEnc
Starting today, rent stabilized landlords in NYC are required to post notice that there are rent stabilized units in the building. It will look something like this:
You can call DHCR at 718-264-3800 to get started finding out if your unit is stabilized.
You can call DHCR at 718-264-3800 to get started finding out if your unit is stabilized.
January 26, 2026 at 7:03 PM
Starting today, rent stabilized landlords in NYC are required to post notice that there are rent stabilized units in the building. It will look something like this:
You can call DHCR at 718-264-3800 to get started finding out if your unit is stabilized.
You can call DHCR at 718-264-3800 to get started finding out if your unit is stabilized.
Mamdani may not be able to afford to expand the CityFheps program in this budget.
But implementing the expansion, as the Adams administration refused to do, was a campaign promise. Can he afford not to?
citylimits.org/can-mamdani-...
But implementing the expansion, as the Adams administration refused to do, was a campaign promise. Can he afford not to?
citylimits.org/can-mamdani-...
Can Mamdani Afford to Expand the CityFHEPS Voucher Program? - City Limits
Zohran Mamdani promised to expand eligibility for the CityFHEPS rental voucher program to people with slightly higher incomes and households at risk of eviction, but a larger than expected fiscal defi...
citylimits.org
January 23, 2026 at 1:33 PM
Mamdani may not be able to afford to expand the CityFheps program in this budget.
But implementing the expansion, as the Adams administration refused to do, was a campaign promise. Can he afford not to?
citylimits.org/can-mamdani-...
But implementing the expansion, as the Adams administration refused to do, was a campaign promise. Can he afford not to?
citylimits.org/can-mamdani-...
Budgets force hard tradeoffs. One of the first for the Mamdani admin: how to fund a rising need for housing vouchers.
During the campaign he promised to expand CityFheps eligibility. But he faces an unexpectedly large budget deficit and competing priorities on housing. Story⬇️
During the campaign he promised to expand CityFheps eligibility. But he faces an unexpectedly large budget deficit and competing priorities on housing. Story⬇️
January 22, 2026 at 11:14 PM
Budgets force hard tradeoffs. One of the first for the Mamdani admin: how to fund a rising need for housing vouchers.
During the campaign he promised to expand CityFheps eligibility. But he faces an unexpectedly large budget deficit and competing priorities on housing. Story⬇️
During the campaign he promised to expand CityFheps eligibility. But he faces an unexpectedly large budget deficit and competing priorities on housing. Story⬇️
The City's Worst Landlord Watchlist is out from Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. Here's the top 10:
January 21, 2026 at 5:14 PM
The City's Worst Landlord Watchlist is out from Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. Here's the top 10:
Just Home is back.
At a presser this afternoon, Mamdani announced that the affordable housing project was going forward after the Adams administration had tried to stop it this fall.
83 homes for ppl leaving jail had hung in the balance in the mayors race.
At a presser this afternoon, Mamdani announced that the affordable housing project was going forward after the Adams administration had tried to stop it this fall.
83 homes for ppl leaving jail had hung in the balance in the mayors race.
January 19, 2026 at 8:56 PM
Just Home is back.
At a presser this afternoon, Mamdani announced that the affordable housing project was going forward after the Adams administration had tried to stop it this fall.
83 homes for ppl leaving jail had hung in the balance in the mayors race.
At a presser this afternoon, Mamdani announced that the affordable housing project was going forward after the Adams administration had tried to stop it this fall.
83 homes for ppl leaving jail had hung in the balance in the mayors race.
“I consider that to be a victory,” Mamdani says at a presser in the Bronx just now. He says that as a result of the city’s intervention in the Pinnacle case the new owner is committed to $30m in repairs.
(It’s unclear how firm that promise is and if the city can enforce it)
(It’s unclear how firm that promise is and if the city can enforce it)
The sale to Summit, which the admin oppossed, is a blow to Mamdani and tenants, but if a goal was to bring their future landlord to the negotiating table, they might find a silver lining.
citylimits.org/judge-approv...
citylimits.org/judge-approv...
January 19, 2026 at 8:48 PM
“I consider that to be a victory,” Mamdani says at a presser in the Bronx just now. He says that as a result of the city’s intervention in the Pinnacle case the new owner is committed to $30m in repairs.
(It’s unclear how firm that promise is and if the city can enforce it)
(It’s unclear how firm that promise is and if the city can enforce it)