Public housing algorithms audit

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request.

Request Title: Public housing algorithms audit

Request Description: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the New York Freedom of Information Law, I hereby request the following records regarding algorithmic tools used by your agency to guide decision making:

For the purposes of this request, the term algorithmic tools refers to computer software or code that employs machine learning techniques. It does not apply to other types of algorithms, such as Excel formulas.

My request applies to all algorithmic tools developed in-house by your agency, purchased for use by your agency, or otherwise used by your agency since Jan. 1, 2018. Such algorithmic tools include, but are not limited to, models for:

- Tenant screening
- Fraud detection
- Risk scoring
- Rate setting (e.g. for rent, utilities, or other fees)
- Maintenance/repair/budget allocation
- Investigations (e.g., crime hotspot prediction, facial recognition, complaint prioritization)
- Unit/voucher prioritization (e.g. models used to rank potential tenants or match them with available units)
- Advertising/outreach prioritization (e.g. models used to decide where or to which groups to advertise)

For each algorithmic tool your agency has used since Jan. 1, 2018, I request the following records:

1) Executive summaries, project overviews, or comparable records that describe the scope and purpose of the algorithmic tool.

2) Contracts, statements of work, successful RFP submissions and bid packets, or comparable records that describe the purchase and/or construction of the algorithmic tool.

3) User handbooks, guides, training manuals, agency policies, or comparable records that describe the tool’s functions and its appropriate uses.

4) The data dictionary, data library, or comparable document that defines the data fields used by the algorithmic tool.

I ask that all fees be waived as I am a journalist and intend to use the requested records to publish articles in the public interest. In the event you choose to impose fees, I request a detailed breakdown of the fees, including the hourly wage of the lowest-paid employee capable of processing the request and an explanation justifying the employee hours required to complete the request.

Should you choose to reject this request or redact portions of it, I ask that you provide a detailed breakdown of the statutory exemptions and associated case law underlying your decision to withhold each/any portion from public review.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Todd Feathers

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Requester's Contact Information



Name:
Todd Feathers

Title:
Not provided

Organization:
Not provided

Email:
requests@muckrock.com (mailto:requests@muckrock.com)

Phone Number:
Not provided

Fax Number:
Not provided

Street Address (line 1):
Not provided

Street Address (line 2):
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City:
Not provided

State:
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Zip Code:
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Please contact the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) via email at foil@nycha.nyc.gov
for any further information. (mailto:foil@nycha.nyc.gov)

Good afternoon,
The New York City Housing Authority’s (NYCHA) FOIL Unit acknowledges receipt of your request for records. NYCHA created a reference number for this request LS-2023-1381666. Please utilize this reference number in any future communication related to this request.
Before NYCHA can respond to part of your request, further clarification is needed:

1. Please be advised that NYCHA needs a contract number in order to process a search for request # 2 "… Contracts, statements of work, successful RFP submissions and bid packets, or comparable records that describe the purchase and/or construction of the algorithmic tool". A contract number must consist of two letters preceding a seven-digit number. Please note that the two-letters preceding any contract may be located by identifying the two letters located within the "Type of Spend" category. The websites linked below may assist you:
* https://a856-cityrecord.nyc.gov/Search/Advanced
* https://web.nycha.info/OA_HTML/OA.jsp?OAFunc=PON_ABSTRACT_PAGE
* https://my.nycha.info/PublicSite/Transparency/AwardedContracts

If NYCHA’s FOIL Unit does not receive clarification regarding the request for the records above within ten (10) business days from the date of this email, that portion of your matter will be closed, and you will have to submit a new FOIL request for those records.

1. NYCHA is also in the process of determining whether there are responsive records for the other aspects of your request and, if so, whether they are available for disclosure under FOIL. Due to the large volume of records requested that will require additional review, your request related to those records will be granted or denied in approximately forty (40) business days from the date of this email.

If you choose to request physical copies of records, then you must pay the statutory reproduction fee of $.25 per page before NYCHA can release physical copies to you. Additionally, the cost of postage will be added to your copying costs should you request fulfillment by mail.

Thank you

Please find the attached correspondence regarding your FOIL request.

This matter is now closed.

Thank you