Grant from Westchester County Public Housing Improvement Program will help to fund the conversion of the 415-unit Yonkers Housing Authority building from gas to electric
See Video of Press Conference here »

YONKERS, NY— (January 22, 2025) — More than 1,000 residents at the Palisade Towers housing complex in Yonkers who have been left without gas services since August received some good news today.
Westchester County, The City of Yonkers and the Yonkers Housing Authority announced that a $4.6 million grant from the county would help to pay for repairs, taking a major step forward in restoring normalcy to the 415-unit, eight building complex on Schroeder Street.
The money, administered through Westchester County’s Planning Department, is part of the county’s Public Housing Authorities Improvement program designed to support capital improvements to affordable housing.
“We thank Westchester County for these funds which will go toward upgrading infrastructure at Palisade Towers,’’ said Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano at a news conference at Palisade Tower. “Additional funding is needed to carry out the work and we are hopeful that the state and federal governments will assist us because the lack of affordable housing nationwide is a serious problem so maintaining what we have is critical.’’
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said, “Westchester County is proud to join forces with the City of Yonkers and the Yonkers Housing Authority to address the challenges faced by the residents of Palisade Towers. Through our Landlord Tenant Assistance Program, we contribute to this collaborative effort to make critical upgrades and improve living conditions for the families here. This project reflects our shared commitment to preserving affordable housing and supporting the wellbeing of residents across Westchester County.”
Palisade Towers has been without gas service since August when a gas leak was discovered and Con Edison shut off service. The leak was only a symptom of a larger problem: deteriorating gas lines throughout the 1950s era complex, formerly known as the William A. Schlobohm Houses.
Because the cost of repairing the lines was prohibitive, the Yonkers Housing Authority has decided to convert the complex to electric. In the meanwhile, temporary boilers have been brought in to provide hot water and the housing authority has provided residents with convection and microwave ovens for cooking. Hundreds of new microwave ovens arrived at the complex last week.
Wilson Kimball, CEO of the Yonkers Housing Authority, said that while the county funding is greatly appreciated, more money is needed to complete the work.
“We thank residents for their patience as we work through this process. We also thank the community for the tremendous outpouring of support. The City and the Housing Authority have worked hard to make residents comfortable through temporary measures, but it is critical that the state and federal governments step up to complete the work,’’ said Kimball.
Palisade Tower resident Victor Mairena told the audience that he appreciates all the work that’s been done to help families, and understands that it is a long process. “Government is not easy, but we are getting there,’’ he said.
The complex was renamed in 2019 after a renovation that included new façades, windows and new elevators, along with new kitchen appliances, countertops and upgraded bathrooms. The Housing Authority had been seeking additional funding for infrastructure repairs when the gas leak occurred.
Yonkers Housing Authority
Yonkers Housing Authority is the largest provider of affordable housing in the City of Yonkers and the fourth largest public housing authority in New York State. YHA has an unparalleled commitment to redeveloping, managing and administering its housing stock to provide low-income families, the elderly and disabled individuals with access to good, sustainable housing that improves the quality of the residents’ lives, fosters their economic success, and allows them to serve as integral members of communities in which they live. For more information visit www.mhacy.org