NYC’s Mamdani Administration Announces Stricter Enforcement for 250 Most Distressed Apartment Buildings

On February 8, 2026, the Mamdani administration released an updated list of 250 buildings with the most severe housing code violations in New York City, placing them under heightened oversight through the Alternative Enforcement Program (AEP). The AEP, in its 19th year, enables the city to monitor repeat offenders, perform more frequent inspections, issue Orders to Correct, and conduct repairs when landlords fail to comply, with costs billed to the landlords. The selected buildings include 7,038 homes and account for 54,909 open housing code violations. These buildings owe the city nearly $4.5 million for emergency repairs already performed by the Housing Preservation and Development (HPD).

The building with the highest number of serious violations, over 1,000 “B” and “C” violations in the past five years, is 34-15 Parsons Blvd., registered to an LLC within the A&E Real Estate Holdings portfolio. HPD’s Housing Litigation Division is involved in actions against owners of 138 of these buildings in housing court to enforce compliance.

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani stated that the program allows the city to monitor repeat offenders and intervene when landlords fail to act. Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning Leila Bozorg noted that the update enables decisive action for repairs in needed buildings. Director of the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants Cea Weaver described the AEP update as a milestone in delivering high-quality, affordable homes. HPD Commissioner Dina Levy stated that the city will intervene and recover costs from non-compliant landlords.

The AEP targets buildings with serious unresolved violations affecting living conditions. Landlords must repay for emergency repairs completed by HPD. Buildings can be discharged from AEP if violations are resolved and charges settled or payment agreements made. Non-compliance may lead to legal action in Housing Court. Discharged buildings are monitored for at least one year, with potential re-selection triggering immediate measures.

This announcement follows a $2.1 million settlement with A&E Real Estate Holdings for 14 buildings, the largest by HPD’s Anti-Harassment Unit, requiring repairs, compliance, and anti-harassment injunctions. During a cold emergency, HPD responded to approximately 37,000 complaints in January, closing 98% by February 4, 2026.

Planetizen reported on February 8, 2026, that New York City placed the 250 most distressed housing buildings under heightened oversight via AEP, allowing monitoring, Orders to Correct, and direct repairs.

An Instagram post from HPD on February 8, 2026, stated that HPD and the city are advancing stronger enforcement for NYC’s most distressed apartment buildings.

The Real Deal posted on Instagram on February 6, 2026, that the Mamdani administration is sharpening its housing posture with tougher enforcement, referencing Dina Levy’s role at HPD and the focus on bad landlords and city intervention.

The NYC Mayor’s Office news page lists the announcement dated February 8, 2026, among other releases.

NYC Mayor’s Office – “Mamdani Administration Announces Stricter Enforcement for City’s 250 Most Distressed Apartment Buildings” (Press Release, February 8, 2026). https://www.nyc.gov/mayors-office/news/2026/02/mamdani-administration-announces-stricter-enforcement-for-city-s Primary official announcement detailing the AEP update, building statistics (7,038 homes, 54,909 open violations, ~$4.5 million owed), quotes from Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Commissioner Dina Levy, Deputy Mayor Leila Bozorg, and Director Cea Weaver, and program mechanics. Planetizen – “NYC Puts 250 Most Distressed Apartment Buildings on Enhanced Oversight List” (February 8, 2026). https://www.planetizen.com/news/2026/02/136918-nyc-puts-250-most-distressed-apartment-buildings-enhanced-oversight-list Reports on the placement of 250 buildings under heightened AEP oversight, including monitoring, Orders to Correct, and direct repairs. CRE Daily – “Building Repairs Oversight Tightened in New York” (February 2026). https://www.credaily.com/briefs/building-repairs-oversight-tightened-in-new-york Covers the addition of 250 buildings to the AEP and the Mamdani administration’s emphasis on aggressive interventions for code violations. BLDUP.com – “City Targets 250 Most Distressed Buildings Under Expanded Alternative Enforcement Program” (February 2026). https://www.bldup.com/posts/city-targets-250-most-distressed-buildings-under-expanded-alternative-enforcement-program Details increased inspections, Orders to Correct, direct repairs by the city (with costs billed to landlords), and the focus on unresolved violations. Patch (New York City) – “Mamdani Targets Landlords With Biggest Health And Safety Violations In Updated List” (February 2026). https://patch.com/new-york/new-york-city/nyc-targets-250-most-distressed-apartment-buildings-under-stricter Notes that more than 7,000 apartments are entering the enforcement program to address nearly 55,000 unresolved violations. GlobeSt – “New York Increases Pressure on Hundreds of Buildings To Make Repairs” (February 9, 2026). https://www.globest.com/2026/02/09/new-york-increases-pressure-on-hundreds-of-buildings-to-make-repairs Reports the addition of 250 buildings to AEP for heightened oversight under the Mamdani administration. News 12 The Bronx – Coverage of over 100 Bronx buildings added to the list (February 9, 2026). https://bronx.news12.com/over-100-bronx-apartment-buildings-join-severe-code-violations-list Highlights that Bronx buildings comprise nearly half of the 250 (approximately 105), with totals of ~55,000 open violations and ~$4.5 million owed. NYC Housing (HPD) Instagram – Post on advancing stronger enforcement for distressed buildings (February 8, 2026). https://www.instagram.com/p/DUgh__DCdvf (and related posts) Official HPD announcement explaining AEP entry for 250 buildings, city intervention for repairs, cost recovery, and access to the full list. USA Herald – “New York City Places 250 Apartment Buildings Under Increased Oversight” (February 2026). https://usaherald.com/new-york-city-places-250-apartment-buildings-under-increased-oversight Summarizes the 250 buildings under AEP for serious violations, accounting for nearly 55,000 unresolved issues and $4.5 million in emergency repair debts. NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Press Releases Page – Listing of the announcement (February 9, 2026 update). https://www.nyc.gov/site/hpd/news/news.page Includes the release on stricter enforcement through AEP for the city’s most distressed buildings.