Improving Health Through Housing: Housing Preservation and Development Recognizes World Asthma Day

May 5, 2026

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New York, NY - Asthma remains a persistent public health crisis across New York City's five boroughs, disproportionately impacting low-income communities. In recognition of World Asthma Day, observed annually on the first Tuesday of May (May 5, 2026) to raise awareness, improve education, and advance care globally, the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) is highlighting the critical connection between housing quality, sustainability, and public health, and how improving housing conditions can help reduce asthma triggers across the city.

Advancing Healthier Housing Through New Development and Preservation

To mark World Asthma Day, HPD stood at Sendero Verde, one of the first and largest multifamily Passive House developments in New York City, a rigorous, performance-based building standard that significantly reduces energy use while providing consistent, filtered fresh air. These features help reduce residents' exposure to indoor air pollutants and allergens, key drivers of asthma.

To replicate this model across the city, HPD has financed more than 50 Passive House projects to date, many of which are already operational. Through partnerships like the Future Housing Initiative with NYSERDA, HPD continues to expand high-performance, all-electric affordable housing and scale healthier building practices citywide. While not all projects achieve Passive House standards, all HPD-funded new construction and substantial rehabilitation projects must meet either Enterprise Green Communities or LEED Gold standards and comply with HPD's rigorous design guidelines.

Together, these requirements support healthier living environments and help reduce the conditions that contribute to asthma.

Holding Property Owners Accountable for Housing Conditions

HPD's enforcement work also plays a critical role in protecting New Yorkers' health by addressing housing conditions that can trigger and worsen asthma. As the City's primary enforcement agency under Local Law 55 of 2018 (the NYC Indoor Allergen Hazard Law), HPD requires building owners of multiple dwellings to proactively maintain apartments free of indoor allergen hazards, including mold and pest infestations. The agency responds to tenant complaints, conducts inspections, issues violations where necessary, and ensures corrective action is taken.

From July 2024 through June 2025, HPD conducted tens of thousands of inspections targeting mold, roaches, mice, and rats-common indoor allergens known to trigger and worsen asthma, particularly among children and other vulnerable residents. In Fiscal Year 2025, HPD responded to nearly 96,350 indoor allergen hazard complaints citywide and completed close to 75,000 inspections, including more than 32,000 mold inspections and over 42,000 pest inspections. During this period, the agency issued more than 41,000 mold violations and over 73,000 pest violations to hold negligent property owners accountable.

At every inspection, HPD inspectors also distribute informational materials developed by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to help tenants and landlords better understand indoor allergen risks and compliance requirements under Local Law 55. If tenants observe a leak, signs of mold growth, or pests, they should notify their landlord. If the issue is not addressed or if repairs are not being conducted safely, tenants can file a complaint online or call 311.

Connecting Housing, Health, and Communities Across New York City

HPD and DOHMH will be tabling at New York City Asthma Network's Annual World Asthma Day Resource Fair on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at 1125 Grand Concourse in the Bronx. Staff will provide information on tenants' rights under Local Law 55, how to identify indoor allergen hazards, and how to file complaints with HPD. The free event brings together city agencies and community partners to connect New Yorkers with resources and support for healthier, asthma-safe homes.

To learn more about indoor allergen hazards and how HPD enforces mold and pest-related conditions, please visit https://www.nyc.gov/indoorallergenhazards. To learn more about citywide asthma prevention efforts, please visit https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/asthma.page.