A Bronx apartment building, heralded by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani as a shining example of affordable housing, sits under a cloud of nearly 200 unresolved violations, ranging from rat infestations to hazardous mold.

The 102-unit complex at 1520 Sedgwick Ave. in Morris Heights, visited by Mamdani on Jan. 4 to introduce his new Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) commissioner Dina Levy, has racked up 194 open housing-code violations since 2016, including 88 deemed immediately hazardous, according to city records.

The spotlight on this building has ignited sharp criticism from tenants and observers who question the mayor’s housing strategy. Many wonder how a property meant to showcase progress can be mired in such neglect. This isn’t the victory lap anyone expected.

Behind the Facade of Affordable Housing

Delving deeper, the story of this complex unravels further, with tenants like Mordistine Alexander, a 25-year resident, painting a grim picture. “Since [the nonprofit] took over, the building has deteriorated,” she said, pointing to a lack of maintenance and ignored complaints. Her unit alone struggles with no heat, crumbling interiors, and outdated windows, as Breitbart reported.

Alexander’s frustration echoes a broader tenant sentiment that the nonprofit landlord, Workforce Housing Advisors, which acquired the building in 2011 with Levy’s involvement, has failed to deliver on basic upkeep. Her claim that screening of renters is lax only adds fuel to the fire. How does this square with a mission of care?

HPD, however, stands by Levy’s track record, asserting she protected the building from predatory buyers. Spokesman Matt Rauschenbach told the press, “Now the building is undergoing an $8 million preservation renovation to improve conditions.” That promise rings hollow to those shivering through another winter.

Unpacking the Nonprofit Housing Model

The mayor’s push to replace private landlords with nonprofits, as seen in this Sedgwick Avenue deal, was meant to be a cornerstone of better housing for struggling New Yorkers. Yet, the reality of nearly 200 violations suggests a policy more focused on ideology than execution. Good intentions don’t fix broken refrigerators.

Former Bronx Assemblyman Kenny Burgos, now leading the New York Apartment Association, drives the point home with hard data. He noted that nonprofit-run buildings like this one often have higher violation counts than privately owned, rent-stabilized properties. If tax breaks and government loans can’t solve this, what will?

Burgos didn’t mince words, highlighting that even without a profit motive, these nonprofit landlords struggle to maintain efficiency. “They should have a lot more freed-up cash to make these buildings run,” he argued. That’s a tough pill for tenants to swallow.

Promises Versus Reality in NYC Housing

Mamdani campaigned on a vision of affordable, quality housing, a dream that resonates with many in a city of sky-high rents. Naming Levy, a longtime tenant rights advocate, as HPD commissioner was supposed to signal bold action. Yet, this showcase building feels more like a cautionary tale.

Tenants aren’t just dealing with mold or pests; they’re wrestling with a sense of abandonment. Alexander’s complaint about complaints falling on deaf ears cuts to the core of the issue. Who’s listening when the heat won’t turn on?

The contrast between the mayor’s rhetoric and the state of 1520 Sedgwick Ave. is stark. If this is the best example of a new housing era, New Yorkers have reason to be skeptical. Pretty speeches don’t patch crumbling walls.

What’s Next for Tenants and Policy?

As renovations are promised with an $8 million price tag, one has to ask if the funds will address the root issues or just paper over them. Tenants deserve more than temporary fixes while violations pile up. Accountability, not photo ops, should lead the way.

Mamdani and Levy face an uphill battle to restore trust in their housing agenda. Pushing for nonprofit ownership sounds noble, but results matter more than ideals. If this building is the model, the blueprint needs serious revision.

Ultimately, New Yorkers aren’t asking for utopias; they want safe, functional homes. The Sedgwick Avenue saga is a reminder that policies must be judged by their impact, not their intent. Let’s hope the next showcase doesn’t come with a side of roaches.