Albany Housing

Pros

• They had a great experience with the assigned worker and maintenance.
• They called it a huge blessing.
• They love this store.
• The location was clean and helpful.
• The service was fast and the receptionist was kind.
• Everything was good.
• They never have difficulty and most things are accomplished fairly quickly.
• They have no complaints.

Cons

• They removed the outside bank card slot to use ATM, leaving residents with no access when the bank is closed.
• They would give zero stars if that were possible.
• They cannot reach anyone for weeks; staff keeps sending them in circles without providing answers or resolutions.
• The receptionist is rude and the staff are unprofessional.
• This institution is terrible; nobody should go there; it is run by incompetence and dishonesty.
• They do not care about residents or privacy; inspections arrive without notice and tenants are blamed for non-working items.
• The fire alarm is ear-piercing and goes off for hours, with maintenance failing to resolve it promptly.
• Maintenance is ineffective; hot water is unavailable and simple fixes require unnecessary delays.

Review

A sprawling mix of experiences paints a picture of a housing authority environment that many residents find difficult to navigate, with accessibility and communication consistently at the center of the frustration. A recurring grievance is the difficulty of reaching anyone who can actually help. Several reviews complain that phone lines and emails go unanswered for weeks, and that the people who do answer often redirect callers rather than resolve their issues. The result is a sense of being shuffled from one contact to another, with little to no clear guidance on next steps. In one message, the writer describes a three-week struggle to get answers, lamenting that "no one answers the phone or returns messages" and that the people you need "don't answer the phone or emails." The broader sense is that the organization feels overloaded and under-resourced, leaving applicants and current residents in a lengthy, unresolved limbo.

Amid the broader complaints about administration, some reviewers do acknowledge bright spots. A few highlight positive interactions with a particular assigned worker and with maintenance staff, noting that those engagements were good and productive. These accounts stand in stark contrast to the general chorus of dissatisfaction, suggesting that individual staff members can make a meaningful difference even when systemic issues persist. A few reviews even describe experiences as "fast" or "clean and helpful," and one person offered thanks to specific helpers by name, signaling that positive experiences do exist alongside the widespread criticism.

However, the sentiment toward the front-desk team is largely negative in many accounts. One reviewer described the front desk worker as miserable and suggested retirement for that staff member, while another characterized the receptionist as "very RUDE," explicitly noting a bias in how they were treated. The recurring descriptor "unprofessional" surfaces repeatedly across several reviews, with many residents feeling judged, dismissed, or talked down to when they sought basic information or assistance. The problem isn't merely one-off rudeness; several posts imply a culture in which basic courtesy and helpfulness are not consistently delivered, contributing to a sense of unease and distrust when residents try to engage with the organization.

A subset of the feedback focuses on safety, privacy, and the handling of inspections. Some residents feel their privacy is not respected and that inspections can occur without adequate notice, followed by blame if something isn't up to standard. There are also alarming accounts about emergency situations - especially concerning the fire alarm at Eagle Court residence - which is described as ear-piercing and prone to going off for long periods. The frustration is compounded by the perception that maintenance or emergency contacts fail to respond promptly, leaving residents to fend for themselves. In one notably tense incident, a resident recounts calling 911 after a prolonged alarm period, describing the experience as disrespectful and indicating a dangerous gap in communication and safety coverage.

Maintenance experiences mirror this tension. Several reviews complain about delays and inaction, from non-responsive maintenance lines to prolonged outages and basic fixes that should be straightforward, such as unlocking a closet door or flipping a switch to restore hot water. The result is not only inconvenience but real hardship for families managing baths, cooking, and other daily routines. One account emphasizes the frustration of losing hot water for hours, with the added burden of having to carry water up stairs and manage without a quick fix - an example that underscores how operational gaps can escalate into daily life challenges for residents, especially in multi-family housing.

A broader, more systemic critique runs through many comments. Several reviewers describe a "cycle of poverty" that is sustained or exacerbated by the housing authority's staffing and process choices. There are pointed accusations that staff rush through cases like "tickets" rather than treating residents as people, and that a backlog is created or perpetuated by miscommunication, outdated procedures, or misdirected paperwork. One reviewer cites a specific example of a letter sent to a person on the waiting list with a deadline, but the address referenced a non-subsidized housing option when the applicant's intent had always been subsidized housing. Such anecdotes feed the overarching concern that applicants can be unfairly penalized or lost in the bureaucracy due to administrative errors and a lack of clear, consistent guidance.

Interwoven with the critical voices are glimpses of diversity and community, including a few remarks that call for constructive engagement and emphasize the broader social context in which housing services operate. One comment mentions that "The Albany housing authority should be investigated" for backlog and miscommunication, while another alludes to a mixed community experience and the variety of perspectives within the housing landscape. A few lines - some light-hearted or symbolically expressive - remind readers that the human side of this system involves families, children, and everyday life, not just bureaucratic processes. Even within the friction, there are mentions of appreciation for access to affordable housing resources and for moments of efficient service, suggesting that the system is capable of effectiveness when conditions align and staff perform well.

Taken together, the reviews present a picture of a housing authority that struggles with communication, response times, and consistent professional conduct, while also showing that positive experiences can and do occur when individuals step up to deliver helpful, timely service. Residents repeatedly call for better accessibility - more responsive phone lines and emails, clearer guidance on next steps, and a more respectful, professional frontline experience. They also want real improvements in maintenance responsiveness and in the safety and reliability of essential systems like hot water and fire alarms. Above all, there is a clear demand for accountability, better training, and systems that treat residents as partners in the process rather than obstacles to be managed. The stories convey urgency: without meaningful changes, the day-to-day struggle of navigating housing and maintenance remains a heavy burden for families who rely on these services to support stable, secure living environments.

This part of Albany, New York offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities suitable for senior living. With several pharmacies located within close proximity, accessing medications and healthcare services is easily manageable. The abundance of restaurants and cafes provide options for dining out or grabbing a quick bite to eat. Nearby hospitals and physicians offices ensure that medical care is readily available. Parks like Jennings Landing and Washington Park offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Transportation options such as Amtrak and CDTA bus stops make getting around the area simple. Places of worship like New Covenant Presbyterian Church and Hindu Temple Society cater to spiritual needs. Overall, this neighborhood combines accessibility to essential services with recreational opportunities, making it an appealing choice for seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient living environment in Albany.

Pharmacies

• College Parkside Pharmacy (0.1 miles)
• Walgreens (0.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
• Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3 miles)
• Market 32 (3.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Hill Street Cafe (0.3 miles)
• The City Beer Hall (0.6 miles)
• McDonald's (0.6 miles)
• Iron Gate Cafe (0.9 miles)
• Ye Olde Tavern Sports Bar (1 miles)
• Skyline Diner (1 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (1.1 miles)

Cafes

• Stacks Espresso Bar (0.7 miles)
• Starbucks (1 miles)
• Panera Bread (2.5 miles)
• Starbucks (4 miles)
• Starbucks (4.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Stratton VA Medical Center (0.8 miles)
• Albany Medical Center Pediatrics Developmental/Behavioral (0.9 miles)
• St Peter's Rensselaer Health Center (0.9 miles)
• Albany Medical Center South Clinical Campus - Patient Billing Services, Human Resources (1 miles)
• Albany Medical Center Hemophilia And Von Willebrand S Disease Tr (1 miles)
• Albany Medical Center Endocrinology (1 miles)
• Whitney M Young Jr Health Center (1.5 miles)

Parks

• Jennings Landing (0.8 miles)
• Washington Park (1.2 miles)
• North Bethlehem Park (4.3 miles)
• Collins Circle (4.4 miles)

Physicians

• Developmental Pediatrics (0.9 miles)
• Cornerstone Dental Arts (0.9 miles)
• Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (0.9 miles)
• Mark Lukowitsky MD - Albany Medical Center Neurology Group (1 miles)
• Albany Family Medicine (1 miles)
• Industrial Medicine Associates (1.7 miles)
• Mohawk Amulance Central Ave - O2 Fill Station (2.2 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak (1 miles)
• CDTA Bus Stop (2.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• New Covenant Presbyterian Church (3.2 miles)
• Hindu Temple Society (4.1 miles)