Special Inspections for New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)
Key Information
Client: New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)
Location: All Five Boroughs (New York)
Services Provided: Special Inspections across Structural, Energy, Mechanical, and Fire Safety Systems, Non-Destructive Testing, Laboratory Testing, Off-site Fabrication Inspections
Highlights: On-call Special Inspections program with NYCHA since 2019, contributing to the ongoing rehabilitation of over 300 developments and thousands of buildings in New York City.
The Challenge
Meeting Urgency with Building Expertise
New York City’s network of public housing is one of the largest and most complex in the United States. The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) is tasked with maintaining more than 300 developments and thousands of buildings across the five boroughs—facilities that house nearly half a million residents. Maintaining and rehabilitating this infrastructure is an imperative responsibility that affects the well-being of entire communities.
In 2019, NYCHA launched an on-call Special Inspections program to strengthen safety oversight, accelerate repairs, and improve compliance with New York City’s stringent construction and building codes, including Local Law 11 (FISP). This called for a Special Inspection partner who could mobilize instantly, deliver 24/7 coverage, and provide multi-disciplinary inspections across diverse types of projects.
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The Solution
Special Inspectors and Integrated Solutions
Since the inception of this program, SOCOTEC and its subsidiaries have proven to be that trusted special inspection agency. Our commitment to quality, safety, urgency and operational excellence has helped NYCHA address critical issues while supporting long-term infrastructure resilience.
Key services provided include:
- Structural inspections for building integrity assurance
- Façade inspections (FISP/Local Law 11) and repairs
- Energy Code compliance inspections for building envelope and systems
- Firestop and life safety inspections
- Plumbing inspections
- Mechanical and heating system inspections
- Inspection sign-off and documentation for DOB compliance
- Tenant protection compliance inspections during rehabilitation work
- Non-Destructive Testing on steel including Radiographic Testing, Ultrasonic Testing, Magnetic Testing, as well as pull tests and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR).
- Laboratory Testing on concrete, masonry, and soil testing.
- Off-site fabrication inspection
With projects assigned on an on-call basis, the SOCOTEC team must often mobilize within hours, delivering qualified special inspectors with certifications across multiple disciplines. This flexibility has saved NYCHA both time and cost, allowing for coverage of multiple inspection scopes with a single technician.
Since the inception of this program, SOCOTEC and its subsidiaries have proven to be that trusted special inspection agency. Our commitment to quality, safety, urgency and operational excellence has helped NYCHA address critical issues while supporting long-term infrastructure resilience.
Key services provided include:
- Structural inspections for building integrity assurance
- Façade inspections (FISP/Local Law 11) and repairs
- Energy Code compliance inspections for building envelope and systems
- Firestop and life safety inspections
- Plumbing inspections
- Mechanical and heating system inspections
- Inspection sign-off and documentation for DOB compliance
- Tenant protection compliance inspections during rehabilitation work
- Non-Destructive Testing on steel including Radiographic Testing, Ultrasonic Testing, Magnetic Testing, as well as pull tests and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR).
- Laboratory Testing on concrete, masonry, and soil testing.
- Off-site fabrication inspection
With projects assigned on an on-call basis, the SOCOTEC team must often mobilize within hours, delivering qualified special inspectors with certifications across multiple disciplines. This flexibility has saved NYCHA both time and cost, allowing for coverage of multiple inspection scopes with a single technician.
The Results
Safety, Speed, and Budget Efficiency
SOCOTEC’s performance has been delivering measurable results for NYCHA and New York City communities since 2019. Our team never missed a request and performed thousands of inspections for NYCHA:
- 24/7 availability: Project Director Alexis Schlessingerman and his team are reachable around the clock, ensuring immediate response when needed.
- Schedule adherence: Our special inspections are completed promptly, allowing NYCHA to meet critical milestones and avoid costly delays.
- Budget-conscious delivery: Multi-certified inspectors streamline service delivery and reduce overall inspection costs, returning value that NYCHA reinvests in other projects.
- Technology-driven efficiency: SOCOTEC uses tablets with real-time mobile access to enhance coordination, reporting, and execution across job sites.
Most importantly, SOCOTEC’s efforts help maintain safe, compliant, and livable public housing environments for thousands of New Yorkers. Our inspections play a direct role in protecting families, preserving assets, and extending the lifespan of public buildings citywide.
Special Inspection Specialists for Public Housing Resilience
From Local Law 11 and energy code compliance to plumbing and firestopping, SOCOTEC is proud to support NYCHA’s mission to deliver safe, secure, and high-quality public housing.
Our ability to act quickly, think strategically, and execute with technical precision makes us the ideal partner for on-call special inspections, whether for public agencies or private-sector clients.
If you're seeking a trusted Special Inspector who understands the complexity of working in live, occupied environments and under tight timelines, SOCOTEC is ready to help.
