‘Stay Informed’ Public Awareness Campaign: Your Go-To Resource for Housing Solutions

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Monthly Housing Tips for 8.26 Million New Yorkers, From the Experts Who Know NYC Best

The Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) today introduced “Stay Informed, Stay Connected NYC”–a new initiative providing New Yorkers with clear, actionable information on tenant rights, landlord responsibilities, and the essentials of maintaining a safe, well-kept home. In a city of more than 8.26 million people, where the housing vacancy rate is just 1.4%, it’s critical that residents have the tools to understand housing regulations and protect their homes. HPD will spotlight a specific housing topic each month–such as reporting issues with heat, hot water, or pests; navigating housing court; or understanding building maintenance rules–and equip New Yorkers with the knowledge they need to take action.

HPD’s teams respond to thousands of housing complaints every week, helping residents document and resolve issues that impact the safety and quality of their homes. From heating concerns in the winter to issues with pests or lead-based paint, HPD is committed to ensuring tenants live in safe, well-maintained conditions. More than 812,000 maintenance problems were reported citywide between July 2023 and June 2024–an average of 5,000 issues per week. HPD inspectors are actively dispatched to investigate these issues and make a direct impact on residents’ daily lives.

Housing code enforcement is led by HPD’s Office of Enforcement and Neighborhood Services (ENS), which includes more than 330 inspectors citywide. Over 200 of these inspectors are assigned to borough offices in the Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, and Staten Island, with two locations serving Brooklyn, with the rest assigned to special enforcement units such as our Lead-Based Paint Inspection Program or Alternative Enforcement Program. Housing inspectors are responsible for checking apartments for housing maintenance code violations and ensuring necessary repairs are made.

The “Stay Informed, Stay Connected NYC” campaign expands on the City’s ongoing efforts to equip New Yorkers with the tools they need to maintain safe, stable housing. Building on existing initiatives–like webinars for property owners on lead-based paint and mold, educational materials distributed during inspections and regularly updated online resources–the campaign will introduce monthly topics paired with practical tips, downloadable guides, and step-by-step instructions that help tenants and landlords protect their homes and prevent issues before they arise.

This initiative is also part of HPD’s broader efforts to deepen engagement with the community. HPD will continue to shape “Stay Informed, NYC” around the real needs of New Yorkers. HPD knows that our role in empowering people to maintain safe, stable housing for themselves and their families is as basic and important as responding to complaints.