Whitman & Ingersoll Public Houses

We’ve recently heard the repetition of old rumors about the future of NYCHA’s Walt Whitman and Ingersoll public houses on Myrtle Avenue. These rumors were dispelled nicely by Dana Rubinstein in this week's Brooklyn Paper. To further set the record straight we reached out directly to NYCHA’s Spokesman, Howard Marder.

MARP: There has been a lot of work at the Whitman & Ingersoll public houses. What’s going on?
NYCHA: In 2003, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) embarked on a major modernization project at Whitman and Ingersoll to ensure the two developments remain in optimum condition as public housing for present and future generations. NYCHA is committing over $150 million to preserving over 3,000 public housing units and replacing the elevators at the two developments.

MARP: Are the public houses going to made into condos and sold?
NYCHA: No. NYCHA wants to ensure long-term preservation of Whitman and Ingersoll Houses as public housing and has no intention of selling neither the Whitman nor Ingersoll Houses.

MARP: Are income levels at the public houses going to change as a result of the modernization of the housing units?
NYCHA: No. Income levels are set by the Federal government. They don’t change.

MARP: When is the project going to be finished?
NYCHA: The apartment renovation is ongoing. Work on 61 elevators in the low-rise buildings should be completed by August 2008. For the taller buildings, elevator work will begin in spring 2008.

MARP: Where are the residents living while their units are being rehabilitated?
NYCHA: Residents have been relocated either to other apartments within Whitman and Ingersoll or to other NYCHA developments around the City. Residents are notified of the right to return when work has finished.