Violations & compliance · Program housing · 10/30/2026
NYCHA says asbestos removed at Marcy Houses after steam leak
A steam leak from a mobile boiler line left asbestos-laden residue on exterior walls at 502 and 504 Marcy Ave. in Bedford-Stuyvesant. NYCHA and DEP visited on 10/29/2026 after residents said they had complained for weeks. Air tests came back negative, and heat and hot water were restored to all nine affected buildings by early 10/30/2026.
Reported by GothamistRead the original ↗
What happened
A steam leak at Marcy Houses, a NYCHA complex in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, left asbestos-laden residue on exterior walls and windows at 502 and 504 Marcy Ave. NYCHA officials told Gothamist the steam came from an exhaust vent for an underground line connected to mobile boilers. Some residents said they had seen the steam and a white powder on their windows for weeks or longer. The same issue also cut heat and hot water to some buildings.
Gothamist reported on 10/29/2026 that NYCHA and the city Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) were at the site on Thursday, 10/29/2026. Residents of the 23 apartments along the affected walls were offered temporary relocation. Gothamist reported on 10/30/2026 that four of those 23 households had been relocated until 10/31/2026, and that one other household chose to stay with family.
In its 10/30/2026 report, Gothamist said all 24 air monitors in apartments along the affected wall tested negative for asbestos on Friday, 10/30/2026. Tests at the daycare, the management office and the exterior of Buildings 4 and 17 were also negative. DEP had cleaned the sidewalk, cars and building facade but had not yet finished the courtyard. NYCHA spokesperson Andrew Sklar said air monitoring of exterior areas will continue until remediation is complete.
On heat, Councilmember Chi Ossé said earlier in the week that nine buildings were without heat because of the same issue, according to Gothamist's 10/29/2026 report. That report said NYCHA confirmed by Wednesday that it had restored heat to 234 apartments. The 10/30/2026 report said the city restored heat and hot water at four affected buildings around 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, 10/29/2026, and at the remaining five just after midnight. Mayor Zohran Mamdani's office did not immediately respond to Gothamist's request for comment.
Key facts
- Address
- 502 and 504 Marcy Ave., Marcy Houses, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn
- Agencies
- NYCHA and the city Department of Environmental Protection
- Cause
- Steam from an exhaust vent on an underground line connected to mobile boilers (per NYCHA)
- Units affected
- 23 households along the affected walls offered temporary relocation
- Relocated
- 4 households, until 10/31/2026; 1 more household stayed with family
- Air tests
- All 24 apartment air monitors tested negative for asbestos on 10/30/2026
- Heat outage
- 9 buildings lost heat and hot water; restored late 10/29/2026 into just after midnight
- Cleanup status
- Sidewalk, cars and facade cleaned; courtyard not yet finished as of 10/30/2026
What it means
Tenants and voucher holders
Marcy Houses residents near 502 and 504 Marcy Ave. were told air tests were negative, but cleanup of the courtyard was not finished and exterior monitoring is continuing. Relocated households were placed until 10/31/2026, so they may want to confirm their return plans with NYCHA.
Caseworkers
Clients at Marcy Houses may have been relocated, may have lost heat and hot water this week, or may have health worries about the residue. It may help to check whether they received NYCHA's notices about the test results and relocation.
Landlords
This incident involves NYCHA property, not private buildings. It shows how a steam or boiler problem can turn into both a heat outage and an environmental cleanup, with tenants temporarily moved out.
The highlights
- Four of 23 nearby households were relocated until 10/31/2026.
- All 24 apartment air monitors tested negative for asbestos on Friday.
- DEP has cleaned the sidewalk, cars and facade but not yet the courtyard.
Why it matters
Boiler and steam system failures can spread hazardous material and cut heat, and residents say complaints went unanswered for weeks.
What to do: Marcy Houses residents should watch for NYCHA notices on ongoing exterior air testing.
Not known yet
- Whether the relocation for the four households was extended past 10/31/2026
- When the courtyard cleanup and the full remediation will be finished
- How long the steam leak went on before NYCHA responded, and whether the vent has been repaired
- Whether any residents' apartments or belongings needed cleaning beyond the windows and exterior
Background
In New York City, asbestos work is generally overseen by the Department of Environmental Protection, which regulates asbestos abatement and air monitoring. During heat season, from October 1 through May 31, building owners, including NYCHA, are required to keep apartments at minimum indoor temperatures and to provide hot water year-round. NYCHA residents usually report heat, hot water and building-condition problems through NYCHA's own customer contact channels rather than through HPD, which enforces the housing code in private buildings.
Also drawn from: 'You can't even look out the window': Asbestos dust coats Brooklyn NYCHA building walls (Gothamist)
Summary written by Bulwark from Gothamist’s reporting. The original story is at gothamist.com. This is general information, not legal advice.
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Photo: Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0