Metro

City Council members demand de Blasio address failing NYCHA heating

Forty fired-up City Council members have signed a letter demanding Mayor de Blasio “finally” address the New York City Housing Authority’s failing heating systems.

Bronx Councilman Ritchie Torres, the letter’s author, slammed de Blasio for not sufficiently addressing what he described as a “humanitarian crisis — shivering tenants at numerous NYCHA buildings lacking heat.”

“The City needs a budget that will give relief to New Yorkers who have been left out in the cold. You should deliver one,” the letter says.

“​We are strongly urging you to propose a capital budget that finally addresses an overwhelming need that has been torturing New Yorkers every winter season: the crisis of failing heating systems in public housing,” wrote Torres, who grew up in the Throggs Neck Houses in The Bronx.

Torres’ letter, a draft of which was obtained Wednesday by The Post, will be sent to Hizzoner Thursday morning.

In a phone interview Wednesday, Torres pointed to past budgets that set aside money for roof and facade repairs, but failed to earmark adequate funds for replacing boilers and heating systems.

“There is no record of investment in heating systems in the last four years,” Torres said. “The mayor has a singular role in setting the capital budget priorities for the city.”

But city officials pointed to $191.8 million in federal and city money allocated for NYCHA boilers in the last four years.

“This administration has made an unprecedented commitment to NYCHA, from investing $2 billion to fix roofs and facades, relieving public housing of approximate $300 million in operating expenses, and securing tenants the largest grant in FEMA history, which includes $109 million for 67 boilers at 17 developments,” City Hall spokeswoman Olivia Lapeyrolerie said.

Torres’ missive comes just days after the City Council elevated Manhattan’s Corey Johnson to council speaker — and is an early sign the current council could be a more aggressive counterpoint and watchdog to de Blasio than under former Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito.

Johnson won the post with the backing of Queens Democratic head Rep. Joe Crowley, whose bad blood with de Blasio dates back to 2013 when Hizzoner outmaneuvered him in selecting Mark-Viverito as speaker.

Crowley used the backing of both the Queens and Bronx council delegations to secure the job for Johnson, one of 11 members who didn’t sign on to Torres’ letter but who has said he won’t hesitate to stand up to de Blasio.

Those who did put their names to the letter include Rory Lancman, Donovan Richards, Karen Koslowitz and Jimmy Van Bramer, all Queens Democrats.

Lancman said there are “three life-threatening circumstances” NYCHA needs to prioritize over other needs: heating, lead paint removal and mold abatement.

“It’s a litany of horrors, and the city needs to do a better job of attacking the most horrible horrors,” he said.

Torres also took aim at the federal government, which he described as the “central culprit,” but castigated de Blasio for failing to address the “most common complaint” in council districts that include NYCHA developments.