Coalition Says Housing Authority's Problems Worse Under de Blasio Administration

A coalition of churches and New York City Housing Authority residents is going public with its criticism of the mayor.

The Metro Industrial Areas Foundation held a rally at City Hall, saying the Housing Authority's problems have gotten worse under the de Blasio administration. The foundation is calling for a shakeup.

Advocates blasted the mayor, saying he's not spending more money and more time on public housing.

"He should cancel trips, all trips out of town for the next six months," said the Rev. David K. Brawley of the Metro Industrial Arts Foundation. "Mayor, stay home and take at least two days out of the week to lead NYCHA."

"We might be there the next time the mayor goes out of town to brag about his great progressive accomplishments and the growth in New York City," said the Rev. Francis Skelly of the Metro Industrial Arts Foundation. "There's still a lot of work to do in public housing. We're ready to show that what is really growing in New York City is more mold."

Last month, de Blasio unveiled a 10-year plan for NYCHA that includes hundreds of millions of dollars toward a roof replacement program to reduce mold, and other measures to turn around the troubled agency.