The Tenant Interim Lease Program created in the late 70’s, was a visionary program that encouraged home ownership by setting up a process to turn buildings into Housing Development Fund Corporation (HDFC) and enabled occupants to purchase their units from the City. This process includes establishing a board, holding elections, holding monthly meetings, proper record keeping, collecting rents, establishing and maintaining a reserve fund, and maintaining the overall structural health of the buildings. But due to flaws in program design and implementation, many never graduated to HDFC status and instead were transferred back to HPD.
For the 164+ buildings that never graduated, tenants have longed expressed concern to the oversight agency Housing Preservation & Development (HPD). Amongst those concerns was incorrect information provided to tenants about the purchase price of each unit, when and how repairs would be started and completed, the lack of financial and technical assistance provided by HPD, the use of checker boarding to decrease relocation fees, uninhabitable conditions and confusion over rent collection protocol at relocation sites, misplacement of rent-roll records by HPD designees, and the impact of attrition rates on the financial viability of these buildings.
These buildings had no succession rights protection which meant that a family member living with a tenant of record who suddenly died would be evicted even if they possessed the financial means to pay rent. The reduction in revenue from a loss of rent along with legal fees to commence eviction proceedings impose overwhelming financial pressure on already financially stressed buildings. This all changed in 2014 when P.A.'L.A.N.T.E. rallied for a change in policy and succeeded.
According to the NYC.gov website, Tenants were sold on the idea of the Tenant Interim Lease program in order to become homeowners and run their buildings. Here is the program as listed on HPD's website:
The Tenant Interim Lease (TIL) Apartment Purchase Program assists organized tenant associations in City-owned buildings to develop economically self-sufficient low-income cooperatives where tenants purchase their apartments for $250. Tenant associations enter into a lease with the City to maintain and manage the buildings in which they live.
TIL provides training to tenant associations in building management, maintenance, and financial recordkeeping. During City-ownership, rehabilitation is funded through a combination of City and Federal sources utilizing private construction management firms to supervise the work. Rental income covers operating expenses, minor repairs, and management fees. Rents are restructured before buildings are sold to the Cooperative Corporation so that buildings remain financially viable after sale.
This reform was especially significant for multigenerational households, where adult children often returned home to care for elderly or disabled relatives. Thanks to the efforts of the community and the leadership of Assembly Member Wright—who also served at the time as Chair of the New York State Assembly Housing Committee—HPD established clear and equitable guidelines.
Now codified in Chapter 24 of Title 28 of the Rules of the City of New York (RCNY), the policy allows a qualified family member, as defined in Section 24-01, to apply for succession rights after the tenant of record permanently vacates the apartment. Under these rules, an individual may remain in the unit if they lived with the tenant for at least two years—or one year if the tenant was a senior citizen or a person with a disability.
This advancement represents a major victory for housing justice and has paved the way for many low- income New Yorkers to achieve housing stability and future homeownership. This change marked a significant victory for housing justice and expanded pathways to stability and homeownership for low- income New Yorkers.
On April 27, 2017, at 1:30 PM, the New York City Council held a hearing in response to numerous complaints filed against the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) regarding the Tenant Interim Lease (TIL) Program and the poor living conditions tenants continue to endure in City-owned properties.
According to the NYC.gov website, the TIL Program was designed to help tenants transition into homeownership. Under the program, organized tenant associations in City-owned buildings would enter into interim leases with the City, manage their buildings, and eventually purchase their apartments for a symbolic cost of $250. Over time, however, repeated delays, broken promises of repairs, and inadequate oversight eroded trust. Most recently, tenants were shocked when HPD proposed to raise the purchase price to $2,500—a tenfold increase from the original commitment.
Mass Mobilization and Historic Testimony In response, over 100 tenants mobilized and traveled by bus to City Hall. The turnout overwhelmed the hearing room, which could only accommodate 60 people. The remaining 40 waited in the lobby, supported and updated by PA'LANTE Harlem organizers. Despite logistical challenges, tenant voices were heard.
City Council Housing Committee Chair Jumaane Williams made the rare decision to prioritize testimony from three TIL tenant associations before hearing from HPD. Devon Riven, Kioka Jones, and John Delfish delivered powerful, personal accounts of the challenges facing TIL residents. Each testimony was supported by a transcribed complaint and formed part of a larger effort that continued for over five hours, concluding at 7:30 PM.
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1. HPD to Cover Fuel Costs for All TIL Buildings
HPD committed to paying heating fuel costs for all 148 TIL buildings, freeing up tenant association
funds—estimated at $24,000 per year per building—to be used for repairs and maintenance. This means
faster improvements in areas such as common area lighting, plumbing, floor repairs, and overall safety.
2. New Three-Track Strategy to Improve TIL and ANCP
HPD will launch a new approach focused on:
1. Tenant-based collaborative planning
2. Improving physical conditions in TIL buildings
3. Expediting and revising the Affordable Neighborhood Cooperative Program (ANCP) and Multi-
Family Preservation Loan Program (MPLP)
3. Commitment to Greater Transparency and Communication
Each tenant association will receive:
1. A roof-to-cellar inspection with a follow-up “snapshot” report and planning meeting
2. A workshop with HPD to clarify repair plans and program eligibility
3. A jointly created collaborative plan outlining the tenant association’s preferred outcomes
4. Tenant Property Access Restored
HPD confirmed that all relocated residents who have items in storage can now access them. Clear
instructions were sent in writing to all affected tenants.
5. Over 25 Live Testimonies Entered into the Record
While some tenants could not speak in person due to time limits, every testimony—live or written—was
officially submitted to the Council for review.
6. Immediate Capital Repairs Planned
HPD is reallocating capital funds to complete roof and boiler repairs during the summer
months—addressing some of the most urgent infrastructure concerns.
7. New Leadership for TIL Operations
A new Assistant Commissioner will now oversee the TIL Program with a sole focus on making buildings
“co-op ready” and ensuring timely repairs.
8. Accountability Measures Implemented
HPD representatives were required to stay for the entire hearing. During testimony, officials took notes
and have already begun contacting tenant leaders to address hazardous conditions.
We are now fighting for the City to allocate the necessary funds to rehabilitate these buildings and for an immediate moratorium of building transfers to the ANCP program. A TIL coalition has been formed to protect the rights of all TIL tenants. The coalition is represented by civil rights attorney Norman Siegel.
The City, as of 2024 - per court order- needs to fulfill its promise to the thousands of families who have been waiting decades on the promise that they were going to purchase their apartments for $250 without having to pay a mortgage in return for their sweat equity and managing their buildings.