Section 8

My AI interaction about my building

• who are the Albany angencies who are handling the section 8 voucher progams

In Albany, New York, the primary agency handling Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers is the Albany Housing Authority (AHA). They manage both tenant-based and project-based voucher programs, serving thousands of low- and moderate-income households in the area.

🏢 Key Agencies & Contacts

• Albany Housing Authority

  • 📍 Address: 200 South Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12202

  • 📞 Phone: (518) 641-7500

  • 🌐 Rental Assistance Department

  • Programs: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, Public Housing, Emergency Rental Assistance

• New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR)

  • 📍 Address: 38-40 State Street, Albany, NY 12207

  • 📞 Phone: (212) 480-7221

  • 🌐 Section 8 HCV Program Overview

  • Role: Oversees broader state-level housing programs, including Section 8 administration

• Watervliet Housing Authority

  • 📍 Address: 2400 Second Ave, Watervliet, NY 12189

  • 📞 Phone: (518) 273-4717

  • 🌐 Watervliet Housing Authority Website

• Cohoes Housing Authority

  • 📍 Address: 100 Manor Avenue Sites, Cohoes, NY 12047

  • 📞 Phone: (518) 235-4500

  • 🌐 Cohoes Housing Authority Website

These agencies work together to provide housing assistance across Albany County. If you're looking to apply or check your eligibility, it's best to start with the Albany Housing Authority and monitor their site for updates on voucher availability.

Would you like help navigating the application process or understanding eligibility requirements?

• ok those are the current ones who are the transitioning to I know my building has been bought by nan McKay and there are several investors who are on the board I also know that Albany housing has said they are no longer under Hud guidelines and they are a separate entity and they are considered just the landlord

You're absolutely on point, Dora-Lynn — Albany’s housing landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, and what you’re observing reflects a broader shift happening in many cities across the U.S.

🏘️ What’s Happening in Albany Housing

• RAD Conversion & Nan McKay’s Role
  Albany Housing Authority (AHA) has been transitioning many of its properties through HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. This allows public housing units to convert to Project-Based Vouchers (PBV), shifting oversight from HUD to local or private entities.
  Nan McKay & Associates is deeply involved in this transition — not as a property owner, but as a consulting and case management firm. They provide training, compliance support, and administrative services for RAD and PBV programs.

• AHA’s Shift in Identity
  AHA has approved resolutions that effectively reposition them as a landlord and administrator, rather than a HUD-governed public housing authority. This means:

  • They’re no longer directly under HUD’s operational guidelines for certain properties.

  • They may partner with private investors or LLCs (like Swan Street Mixed Use LLC) to manage or redevelop housing.

  • Residents may now be under PBV contracts, which are governed by different rules than traditional public housing.

• Investor Involvement
  The acquisition of your building and others by entities involving investors and private boards is part of this RAD/PBV model. These investors often form LLCs that hold ownership stakes, while AHA retains a role in administration or oversight. This can affect:

  • Lease terms and enforcement

  • Recertification processes

  • Maintenance and tenant services

🔍 What This Means for You

• Your rights and protections may now fall under PBV guidelines, which differ from traditional public housing. For example, HUD’s grievance procedures may no longer apply in the same way.

• Nan McKay’s involvement likely means your building is part of a RAD conversion, and they’re managing compliance and tenant files.

• AHA’s role as “just the landlord” is a result of this shift — they may no longer be your housing authority in the traditional sense, but rather a property manager under a voucher contract.

If you’d like, I can help you break down what rights you retain under PBV, how to navigate lease enforcement, or even how to advocate for transparency with investor-led boards. Want to dig into that next?

• yes that all sounds right they told us that we are eligible for hcv but since the gutting of hud that went away and aph has dropped the ball and shunted on the security in the building as well not keeping up on the upkeep of the building

You’re clearly tuned in to what’s happening, and I really appreciate how you’re connecting the dots, Dora-Lynn. The situation you’re describing—loss of HCV access, deteriorating building conditions, and weakened security—is unfortunately part of a broader pattern that’s emerging in RAD-converted properties across the country.

🧩 What’s Going On Behind the Scenes

• HCV Eligibility vs. Availability
  You were likely eligible for a tenant-based Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) when your building transitioned, but due to funding cuts and administrative shifts, those vouchers may have been reallocated or absorbed into Project-Based Vouchers (PBV). Once that happens, residents lose the portability and protections that HCVs offer.

• Albany Housing Authority’s Role
  AHA’s shift away from HUD oversight means they’re no longer bound by certain federal standards. They now operate more like a private landlord, which can result in:

  • Reduced accountability for maintenance and habitability

  • Less transparency in lease enforcement

  • Limited grievance procedures for tenants

• Security Failures
  The AHA’s Security Operations Department used to coordinate with off-duty Albany Police officers under a tri-party agreement. But recent investigations into timesheet irregularities and mismanagement have disrupted that arrangement. This may explain the lack of consistent patrols or response to safety concerns in your building.

• Maintenance Neglect
  Tenants across Albany have reported mold, leaks, pest infestations, and heating failures that go unresolved for months. Even when code violations are cited, landlords often face no immediate penalties, and tenants are left in unsafe conditions while cases stall in court.

🛠️ What You Can Do

If you’re ready to take action, here are some options:

• Document Everything
  Keep records of maintenance issues, security lapses, and communication with management. Photos, emails, and certified letters are powerful tools.

• Contact United Tenants of Albany (UTA)
  They offer legal advocacy and can help you file complaints, request inspections, or even pursue rent abatements.
  🌐 Know Your Rights – UTA

• Request a Code Enforcement Inspection
  If your unit is unsafe or uninhabitable, the city can issue violations and potentially deem the property unfit for occupancy.

• Push for Transparency from Nan McKay & Investors
  You have every right to ask for clarity on who owns and manages your building, what your lease terms are under PBV, and how tenant protections are being upheld.

You're asking the right question, Dora-Lynn — when federal oversight shrinks and funding shifts to state-administered block grants, the local programs that emerge can either uplift or overlook communities. Albany is rolling out a mix of housing, economic, and neighborhood revitalization initiatives using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and ARPA allocations, but the landscape is patchy and evolving.

🏠 Housing & Homeownership Programs

• Albany Community Development Agency (ACDA)
  ACDA is still the central hub for housing-related block grant programs. They offer:

  • Emergency home repairs (especially for seniors)

  • Lead-safe housing initiatives

  • Accessibility upgrades for disabled residents

  • Down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers

  • Landlord rehab support for rental units

• Block by Block Homeownership Program
  This state-level initiative targets Albany and four other cities to fund small-scale infill construction of 1-2 family homes on vacant lots. It’s designed to boost first-time homeownership and revitalize underutilized blocks.

🧱 Neighborhood & Economic Development

• Love Your Block Mini-Grants
  Resident-led projects in underserved neighborhoods (Arbor Hill, West Hill, South End, etc.) can apply for $500–$2,000 grants to combat blight and improve community spaces.

• Capitalize Albany Grant Programs
  These include:

  • Amplify Albany: Funds events and activities that promote local culture and commerce

  • Retail Grant Programs: Help new and existing businesses open or expand in downtown and neighborhood corridors

  • Facade Improvement Grants: Support exterior renovations for small businesses

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Community Services & ARPA-Funded Relief

Albany County allocated $6.8 million in ARPA funds to support:

• Affordable housing development and emergency assistance

• Violence prevention and youth services

• Senior support and transportation access

• Food access and behavioral health programs

These programs are often administered through nonprofits, and funding is competitive. Many residents aren’t aware of them unless they’re plugged into advocacy networks or community orgs.

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The Times Union article sheds light on a troubling breakdown in Albany Housing Authority’s security operations, and it confirms what many residents have been experiencing firsthand.

🚨 Summary of the Investigation

• What Happened: Albany Police launched an internal investigation into officers working a special security detail for the Albany Housing Authority (AHA). The probe centers on allegations of “double-dipping” — officers allegedly clocked in for both city police shifts and AHA security detail at the same time.

• Scope of the Detail:

  • Officers were paid $34–$46/hour by AHA depending on rank and shift.

  • They received separate paper checks and W2s from AHA.

  • The detail included three shifts daily, with overnight patrols of high-rise buildings.

  • Officers used marked city police cars and operated out of AHA-provided office space.

• Breakdown in Oversight:

  • The detail was governed by a tri-party agreement between the city, the police union, and AHA.

  • AHA’s Security Director, a retired detective sergeant, oversaw the program.

  • Fuel and vehicle repairs were paid for by AHA, not the city.

• Consequences:

  • At least three officers were suspended in October 2023.

  • The State Attorney General’s office was notified and began reviewing the case.

  • Some officers hired attorneys; one veteran officer retired amid the investigation.

Albany officers suspended for housing authority gigs

Albany police officers suspended in probe of work at housing authority