Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it is necessary for all residents to temporarily relocate for their well-being, comfort, and safety. During construction, the entire plumbing and electrical systems will be shut off for replacement and upgrades, meaning there will be no power, running water, or essential services in the building. Living under these conditions would be unsafe. Additionally, hazardous materials such as lead and mold will be removed to ensure a safer and healthier environment once the work is complete.

Yes. When you return to your original apartment, the work inside the apartment will be complete. However, there will be work ongoing in the building including in the common areas, elevators and exterior facades. Having some construction take place after you return is necessary to meet the 6-9 month temporary relocation schedule.

Yes, SNRP is committed to hiring NYCHA residents as part of the construction process. If you are interested in employment with SNRP, please contact us at (332) 232-7150 or Section3@stnicholaspartners.com to share your information. Flyers will also be posted with details on hiring.

After the renovation is complete, residents will have electric stoves. Part of the construction scope of work is to fully electrify the Saint Nicholas buildings. As a result, there will no longer be gas for cooking in any of the buildings post-construction.

Yes. All deteriorating walls will be repaired or replaced in apartments and common areas.

Multiple factors went into determining the order of the buildings. One major factor was ensuring access to two working elevators and coordinating the schedule with active elevator work happening under a separate contract at Saint Nicholas Houses. Access to two elevators is necessary for SNRP relocation and construction activities. Another factor was community facility operators. Building 12 is included in Phase 1 because it has a vacant community space where community facility operators will relocate while their buildings are under construction in the subsequent phases. Building 5 is the last phase so that Property Management will have uninterrupted operations throughout the construction process.

Yes, residents will be able to control both heating and cooling in each room in their apartment.

No. The new windows will not be able to house AC units. However, there will be no need for window AC units since the new AC units will have heating and cooling control in each room.

SNRP will provide all new appliances for your newly renovated kitchen. In addition to the SNRP-installed appliances, you may keep any appliances you purchased (such as washing machines, refrigerators, and freezers), with the exception of dryers, as dryers are not allowed per NYCHA policy. Please note that gas stoves will no longer work since the buildings are converting to all-electric. During your individual family assessment, please inform the relocation specialists about any appliances you want to take to your temporary apartment.

Most apartment layouts will remain the same. The only exception is 5% of units that are designated as accessible under the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) requirements. While layouts in these accessible units will remain similar, the dimensions of the bathrooms in the units may change to comply with accessibility standards. SNRP will inform you if your unit is designated as accessible.

No. Tub sizing will remain the same due to bathroom sizing constraints.

No, SNRP will not be adding windows to bathrooms that currently don’t have them. However, we will be renovating the mechanical ventilation system to ensure better airflow to these areas.

SNRP is working with Con Edison to make sure that buildings receive appropriate power. If there is an outage, it will be at the utility level and not the building level.

The design calls for installing domestic hot water heaters on the roof. As a result, there is no room for solar panels.

No, SNRP will not be installing a camera intercom. However the intercom installed will be able to dial out to residents phone (landline or cellphone) and allow residents to unlock the door.

SNRP will refurbish the existing grates on first-floor windows. Our scope does not include additional security measures for first-floor residents beyond restoring the existing grates. The current CCTV system will remain in place and be maintained throughout construction. The new lobby layout and entrance lighting will also improve visibility and reduce dark spots, contributing to the overall safety of the development.

While no apartment building can be guaranteed to be 100% pest-free, the renovation will include pest mitigation measures to help keep pests out. These measures include installing metal panels behind wet walls, upgrading outdoor waste yards, providing enclosed containers for waste, cleaning trash chutes, replacing hopper doors, installing new compactors, adding bug screens to windows, and running all new plumbing systems. SNRP will also work with an exterminator and enforce pest control best practices throughout the construction process.

When it is time for your building to prepare for the temporary relocation process, you will be contacted well in advance by an SNRP relocation representative. You will also receive several notices, with the first coming 60-90 days in advance of your anticipated move date. Your SNRP relocation representative will walk you through the entire process, answer any questions you have, and make sure you are fully informed and ready for your move date.

When it is your turn to prepare for temporary relocation, you will be contacted by an SNRP Relocation Representative, who will walk you through the temporary move process including when you need to begin packing your belongings.

Yes.

Yes, SNRP will provide moving services to all households both moving to their temporary relocation unit at the beginning of construction and back to their original unit once it is ready. Please discuss any specific household needs with your SNRP relocation representative.

SNRP relocation representatives will meet with each household to do an assessment prior to their temporary move. Households will have the opportunity to discuss any accessibility needs related to their moves at that time, which SNRP will work to accommodate to the best of our ability.

In addition to a limited number of temporary relocation units available at St. Nicholas Houses, NYCHA has set aside temporary relocation units at five developments in the surrounding area: Polo Ground Houses, General Grant Houses, Lincoln Houses, King Tower Houses, and Taft Houses.

You will be matched with a temporary relocation unit based on your household needs and preferences. Though we will work to accommodate your location preferences, we cannot guarantee that you will receive your first choice. Please be forthcoming with your SNRP relocation representative in your intake survey, as this information will inform the temporary relocation unit option offered to your household.

If you would like to move in with family during the temporary relocation period, please discuss this with your SNRP relocation representative. Depending on the circumstances, we may be able to accommodate this request. If you move in with family during the temporary relocation period, you will still be required to pay your regular NYCHA rent. You will retain your right to move back to your original apartment. This will be provided to you in writing.

Yes, all residents will have the right to return to their original apartments once construction is complete. This right will be provided to you in writing. SNRP will also assist with your move back to ensure a smooth transition.

Priority for Saint Nicholas temporary relocation units will be given to households with demonstrated needs to remain on site, such as seniors, individuals with disabilities, and families with children in local schools. However, we cannot guarantee an on-site temporary relocation apartment based solely on these criteria as there are a limited number of apartments available at Saint Nicholas Houses. Please discuss any temporary relocation needs in detail with your SNRP Relocation representative.

The developments for the temporary relocation units were chosen and coordinated by NYCHA. If your household has specific needs that prohibit moving to the listed developments, please discuss these with your SNRP relocation representative. These may or may not be able to be accommodated, depending on availability of vacant units.

Yes, SNRP will move all residents back to their original unit after the temporary relocation period.

SNRP will work with you to coordinate mail forwarding to your temporary relocation apartment, as well as back to your original unit once it is time for you to return.

Households will need to follow standard NYCHA policies related to locks on their temporary relocation units.

You will be assigned a temporary relocation unit based on your household’s needs. You have the right to move back to your original unit after the temporary relocation period.

Your rent is determined by your household income, not the number of bedrooms in your apartment. You will continue to pay based on your household income regardless of your temporary relocation unit size.

Yes, the SNRP team will plug appliances back in, with the exception of dryers, which are not allowed, as well as gas stoves and AC window units, which can no longer be accommodated after the renovation. Movers will also assemble furniture that was disassembled for the move.

Yes. You must continue to pay rent as well as abide by all terms of your lease during the temporary relocation period. You will continue to pay your rent in the same manner you are currently paying it.

We understand that parking is important to many residents. While we cannot guarantee that parking will be available at your temporary relocation site, we will review each case individually to accommodate your needs as best as possible. Parking availability varies by location, and unfortunately, off-site parking is not guaranteed. We encourage you to reach out to discuss your specific situation, and we will work with you to find the best possible solution.

Each building will have its own designated Dumpster Day for residents of that building. Dumpster Days are intended to help residents in the upcoming construction phase to remove clutter and unwanted items in preparation for their temporary moves. Movers will be available for residents who need assistance disposing of unwanted items.

If you currently hold a paid parking permit and your parking spot is impacted by the relocation process, you will be reimbursed for the time you are unable to use your assigned spot. Our team will work with you to review your parking permit and ensure you receive the appropriate reimbursement.

No.

As part of SNRP’s scope, we will be renovating the existing community facility spaces at Saint Nicholas Houses. However, it is up to NYCHA to determine community operators for these spaces.

To ensure fairness and transparency, NYCHA has worked closely with the Legal Aid Society, which has reviewed the temporary license agreement from an independent, third-party perspective. If you have any additional concerns or feel that further legal consultation is necessary, we are open to inviting representatives from the Legal Aid Society to future meetings.

Yes, the exterior apartment door will be the same color as the model unit.

Yes, window blinds will be installed as part of the renovation.

Sliding doors will remain sliding. Replacements doors will match the existing door type.

Yes, the renovation will bring apartments up to the current electrical code. This includes an increased number of outlets and light fixtures, and updated light switches.

No, the additional power required for the new electric heating and cooling units will not result in blown circuits. The construction scope includes upgrading the electrical system in all the buildings to bring it up to code and increase the electrical load capacity. This includes the power needed for the new heating and cooling units.

Repairs to damaged popcorn ceiling will match the current texture. However, if the damage is extensive, the full ceiling may be repaired and replaced with a smooth texture.

No, the heating and cooling units do not come with a remote control. Each heating and cooling unit comes with a touch pad in the unit to control the temperature.

Smoke detectors will be hardwired

Bathroom sinks and faucets will have aerators. SNRP will not be installing filters in faucets or showerheads.

Paint used to paint the apartment walls will be water resistant and have an additive designed to repel mold.

The curved P-trap pipe will remain visible under the ceiling. Other exposed pipes in the bathroom will be removed.

The new windows will have a black exterior (visible from the street) and a white interior (visible from inside the apartment).

Yes. The new Keri EGT-250 intercom will be installed in the lobby. It will call your phone directly when someone buzzes your apartment. No intercom equipment will be placed inside your home.

New LED fixtures will be hard-wired into the ceiling.

The design includes a combination of exposed wire mold and wire hidden in walls. SNRP is working to minimize exposed wire mold to the extent possible.

Yes. Apartment layouts, including closets, will remain the same. The only exception is for a small subset of units designated as accessible. To meet accessibility requirements, dimensions of some rooms may change, though the overall apartment layout will remain very similar to the original layout.

No, microwaves are not included in the renovation.

No, clothing lines will not be re-installed.

A handle lock, deadbolt, and security bar will be installed by SNRP. Installing additional personal locks is subject to NYCHA Property Management approval.

Yes, emergency window gates will remain in place.

The heating and cooling unit is designed with a reusable, washable filter that residents will be able to remove, wash, and reinstall.

This condition will be present in all apartments with L-shaped kitchens.

Remove the smoke condition causing the alarm. Do not tamper with or disable the smoke detector.