Nestor Davidson was quoted in a Forbes article about a lawsuit filed against NYCHA officials about a possible cover-up related to conditions in public housing.
The federal government accused the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) of mass negligence over the safety violations of thousands of residents on Monday.
In a 80-page civil complaint, the U.S. Attorney General for Southern New York, Geoffery Berman, found NYCHA liable for the dangerous lead exposure of hundreds of residents and children, systematic coverups of health violations and more.
As a result, New York City reached a settlement with the federal government to spend over $2 billion on NYCHA, with the $1 billion spent over the next four years, and $200 million per year after that. The court will also oversee the appointment of a federal monitor.
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While local politicians like Ritchie Torres remain wary of additional federal monitoring, Nestor Davidson, a professor of urban housing law at Fordham University, said that it could be a good thing for NYCHA and its tenants.
“In large scale settlements, there are lots of instances of very successful monitorships,” he said. “The most important thing is to have an independent voice who can hold leadership accountable. The challenge is always in the details.”