Comptroller's audit slams roof maintenance at NYCHA
BROOKLYN, New York (WABC) -- A new audit claims that NYCHA inadequately maintains and repairs the roofs that are under warranty at its buildings.
New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer's office inspected 35 roofs at 13 NYCHA developments.
Stringer said 88 percent of them were found to have problems.
Among the issues: ponding water, soft and spongy spots, open seams, damaged masonry and sagging conditions.
Stringer's report also found that unauthorized repairs were being done that could jeopardize warranties.
The report said a lot of the problems would be covered by warranties if NYCHA did proper maintenance and repairs.
"At a time when every penny counts, NYCHA is essentially lighting money on fire by investing millions in roof repairs when it doesn't have to," Stringer said."They're letting private companies off the hook and sticking it to New York taxpayers and NYCHA tenants alike."
NYCHA has a new boss starting soon, there's a new federal watchdog and the mayor has pledged a new s tart along with a huge infusion of money.
Still, problems persist so Stringer offered a warning.
"And I'm here to say that every audit that we're releasing is going to get harder and harder until somebody actually does something that makes a difference," Stringer said.
He also blasted the mayor for running for president and he hit on the new chairman of NYCHA for returning every weekend to his hometown of Minneapolis.
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