The densely populated New York City has been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, specifically in its public housing developments. The New York City Housing Authority oversees over 170,000 apartments throughout the city. Many of the residents include seniors, have pre-existing conditions, or are essential workers who must risk their lives at work during the day, and then come home to a crowded environment. 

One building specifically impacted is a seniors-only housing development in The Bronx. Between March and May, over 6% of the residents have been infected by COVID-19. The ventilation system used in many public housing developments are very overworked and therefore often break down. The poor airflow coupled with other conditions brought by public housing, including broken, cramped elevators, increases ones risk for contracting COVID-19. Some of the projects for repairing the ventilation systems in public housing have been delayed because of the uncertainty brought by COVID-19 as well as the safety record and financial history of the contractor hired to do the job.

Many of the unsanitary conditions found in public housing, such as mold, water damage, and pests, only amplify the risk of COVID-19 for residents. Read more about NYCHA and COVID-19 here.