New York City’s public housing authority has updated its rules that decide who gets first access to open apartments to give those escaping domestic violence a higher place in line.

Still, advocates say more could be done.

The change comes months after Gothamist reported on an analysis by the group Legal Services NYC showing NYCHA tenants fleeing abuse were waiting an average of 800 days for a move to a safer home, even after their applications were approved.

Roughly 2,000 households seeking moves as a result of domestic violence were on the waiting list as of fall 2024, according to a report prepared by the nonprofit organization last year.

Under the old system, domestic violence-related moves were placed near the back of the line, behind tenants seeking transfers because they were t

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