This month, the New York City Housing Authority is expected to apply for an exemption from federal public-housing regulations, many of which protect tenants’ rights.

The Housing Authority’s plan is primarily focused on gentrifying seven "high performing" housing projects, according to a fact sheet put out by Legal Aid Society tenant lawyers. The seven are Elliot, Gompers and Harborview in Manhattan, Eastchester Gardens and East 180th St./Monterey Ave. in the Bronx, Bland in Queens, and Hylan in Staten Island. Under the Clinton Administration’s "Moving to Work" program, some limits on maximum rents for working tenants would be eliminated—allowing an average $300 a month increase over five years. New tenants in the seven projects would also have to have a minimum income: at least $17,000 a year for a single person and more for larger households.

NYCHA also wants permission to demolish developments or sell them to private entities without having to replace apartments on a "one for one" basis. It already has plans to sell the 230-unit University Avenue Consolidated project in the Bronx.

The final application is due May 19. Tenant advocates say the authority is trying to push it through with as little input as possible from residents and community members. The first public hearing on it was scheduled for May 6, and NYCHA has refused to give copies of the application to tenants in the affected developments.