The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), which controls nearly 8% of all rental units in the city and approximately 2,500 acres of land, is in a state of dilapidation. The authority has been short of funds to maintain and manage these buildings, and has an estimated $80 billion in capital needs. Since 1982, the city has allowed the transfer of development rights from underbuilt sites to preserve “civic” assets. This could be used for the preservation and upkeep of NYCHA superblocks, which have an estimated 78 million square feet of unused development rights, which could potentially yield over 80,000 new apartments. The city could also require a percentage of new units be affordable.