NYCHA Signs 2024 Project Labor Agreement for Renovation Work Involving Construction Trades

Dear Colleagues,  Since 2015, NYCHA has maintained a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) with the Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater New York (BCTC) and the unions that BCTC represents. The agreement aims to establish standardized terms and conditions of project-related employment for construction trades, improve worker pay and training, avoid shortages of skilled workers… MORE

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Inspiring a Compliance Culture: Read the Compliance Department’s Winter 2024 Newsletter

Property Management Offices: Recordkeeping Rundown Introduction NYCHA Property Management Offices are responsible for maintaining many different documents related to their development and tenants. Maintaining these records is not just a requirement; it is a commitment to upholding high standards of property management and evidence of NYCHA’s mission to provide safe and affordable housing to its… MORE

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Batei Tsibur’s Annual Chanukah Celebration

On December 11, 2023, the Organization of Jewish Employees at NYCHA (Batei Tsibur) held a Chanukah celebration in NYCHA’s Ceremonial Room at 90 Church Street (and virtually, for those unable to attend in person). Chanukah, also called the Festival of Lights, commemorates the miracle of one day’s worth of sacred oil lasting eight days (which… MORE

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First Resident Vote Certified: Nostrand Residents Select the Trust

Dear Colleagues, I am pleased to announce that a third-party election administrator has certified the results of the first resident vote at NYCHA: Nostrand Houses residents selected the Public Housing Preservation Trust as the path forward for their homes. The Trust will fully renovate Nostrand residents’ apartments and address the development’s major repair needs. This… MORE

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Holiday Safety Tips

Each year, government agencies and organizations like the National Safety Council (NSC), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Fire Protection Association, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issue guidance to help ensure the public has a safe and joyous holiday season. NYCHA’s Environmental Health and Safety Department would like to share some… MORE

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Thank You

Let us recognize the important work that NYCHA employees do each day on behalf of public housing residents and all that you continue to accomplish to transform the Authority. I am extremely proud to lead NYCHA and this remarkable team, and grateful for your dedication and commitment to meeting extraordinary challenges and delivering quality service to our residents.

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Celebrating Native American Heritage Month

November is Native American Heritage Month, also known as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. This is a time to recognize the history, culture, and contributions of Indigenous people. There are over 9 million Native Americans and Native Alaskans living in the United States today. And with 575 federally recognized tribes and many more vying for recognition, there… MORE

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Read “Healthy Happenings,” the EHS Newsletter

Every year, the National Safety Council and the National Elevator Safety Foundation recognize the third week of November as “Elevator Safety Week” to bring awareness to elevator safety. Elevators began revolutionizing daily life in the United States in the late 1800s, making it possible to build taller buildings in which many more people could safely… MORE

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Meet Zobeira Martinez, Senior Director of the Resident Relocation Services Department

From a very young age, Zobeira Martinez (known as Zoby) knew she wanted to help people – and continue her family’s tradition of paying forward the kindness and support they received after relocating to the United States from the Dominican Republic. As a college student living in NYCHA’s Hope Gardens development, Ms. Martinez had some… MORE

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Former NYCHA Executive Appointed Chief Equity Officer and Commissioner of the New Office of Equity & Racial Justice

On October 26, Mayor Eric Adams announced the appointments of Sideya Sherman as the City’s Chief Equity Officer and Commissioner of the newly created Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice (MOERJ) and Linda Tigani as Chair and Executive Director of the NYC Commission on Racial Equity (CORE). Both Ms. Sherman and Ms. Tigani currently… MORE

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It’s National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

Each year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognizes the fourth week of October as “National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week” so individuals, organizations, government agencies, and others can come together to educate the public on ways to reduce exposure to lead. Get the Facts Lead Testing for Children Is Critical Preventing Lead Exposure The EPA… MORE

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Celebrating the Hispanic and Latinx Community

Hispanic Heritage Month, also known as Latinx Heritage Month, is a month-long annual celebration from September 15 through October 15. These dates were selected to incorporate the independence days of Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua. Latinx Heritage Month recognizes the legacies and contributions of individuals who trace their roots to… MORE

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Operations Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor Appointments

Dear Colleagues, I am pleased to announce two new staff appointments as the final pieces in our recent organizational updates. Emma Barash is my new Chief of Staff, replacing Lauren Gray, who has taken on the role of Senior Vice President of Quality Assurance, Safety, and Technical Programs. Emma was born and raised in “our beloved… MORE

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Vlada Kenniff Named First-Ever President of the Public Housing Preservation Trust

Dear Colleagues, I am pleased to announce that after an extensive search, Vlada Kenniff has been named the first-ever President of the New York City Public Housing Preservation Trust. The Trust’s Board approved Vlada’s appointment at its September 7 meeting. Vlada is a dedicated public servant with an in-depth understanding of NYCHA’s needs and challenges.… MORE

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David Rohde Appointed NYCHA’s General Counsel

It is my pleasure to announce the appointment of David Rohde as Executive Vice President for Legal Affairs and General Counsel. We have been hard at work making the changes and improvements necessary to strengthen our organization and deliver better for residents; David’s appointment further establishes the team of talented, committed professionals leading our transformation efforts.

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NYCHA’s New Physical Needs Assessment

NYCHA’s Physical Needs Assessment (PNA) is a critical resource for effectively evaluating capital investment needs, as well as for planning and prioritizing capital investments, across NYCHA’s properties. Conducted approximately every five years as recommended by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the PNA involves assessing when in the next 20 years the… MORE

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Meet Michael Sills, Housing Manager of LHD Central Office Operations

June is National Pride Month, which commemorates the 1969 Stonewall uprising and recognizes the impact and contributions of individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+). In honor of Pride Month, we highlight the work of NYCHA’s LGBTQIA+ employees.

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Transforming and Strengthening NYCHA 

As part of NYCHA’s efforts to strengthen our organization and improve service to residents, several structural improvements and new leadership appointments are underway across the Authority.   In line with our Transformation Plan, we are restructuring our Operations and other divisions to create more connections among our teams, expand subject-matter expertise, and evolve and improve as… MORE

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Meet Amanda Moore, Assistant Director of Intake, Assessment, and Zone Coordination  

Growing up in Tilden Houses in Brownsville, Brooklyn, Amanda Moore always knew she wanted to work in public service. In the summers, she went to camp through her development’s community center and took part in the center’s after-school program: “The center gave us a place to go, and the staff were amazing! I’ll never forget… MORE

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Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month: Henry Street Settlement Offers Vital Mental Health Resources

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an opportunity to recognize NYCHA’s partnerships with organizations and nonprofits throughout New York City that provide crucial mental health resources to residents. One such partnership is with Henry Street Settlement, a 130-year-old community-based organization that supports Lower East Side residents and other New Yorkers through social services, the arts,… MORE

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It’s Air Quality Awareness Week

Every spring, during Air Quality Awareness Week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) partners with federal agencies such as the National Weather Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the U.S. Department of Energy to raise awareness about efforts to protect and improve air quality, highlight available resources, and encourage people to incorporate… MORE

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It’s National Poison Prevention Week

Chemicals are an important part of the workplace, from specialized industrial chemicals to everyday cleaning products. However, for everyone’s safety, they must be handled properly. In recognition of National Poison Prevention Week, which is March 19 to 25, NYCHA’s Environmental Health and Safety Department would like to share the following guidance on properly handling and… MORE

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NYCHA and Resident Leaders Select PACT Partners to Address $85M in Repair Needs at Metro North Plaza and Gaylord White Houses

891 residents will receive comprehensive repairs and upgrades to all 523 apartments, common areas, public spaces, heating and cooling systems, elevators, security systems, and other building systems. The PACT project builds on the more than $2 billion driven in 2022 to renovate over 8,500 apartments across 17 developments, with support from the Adams administration.

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Celebrating Black History Month

During Black History Month, we are reminded of the opportunity that public housing has provided to countless families since its foundation and its role in fostering a society that is more fair and just. We spoke with Marvin Walton, NYCHA’s Deputy Chief Operating Officer, who has spent decades working in public housing, to get his thoughts on the institution, what it’s like to help run the largest public housing authority in the nation, and what the future may bring.

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Read “Healthy Happenings,” the EHS Newsletter

Happy New Year!

I hope this latest edition of the Environmental Health and Safety Department’s (EHS) newsletter finds you and your family well.

Because we all play a part in creating and maintaining a healthy and safe environment at NYCHA, EHS engages with residents, colleagues across the Authority, and the Federal Monitor to develop long-term solutions that address any environmental health and safety-related issues.

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Celebrating Chanukah

NYCHA’s Organization of Jewish Employees (Batei Tsibur) held its annual Chanukah celebration via Microsoft Teams on December 20, 2022 (26 Kislev on the Jewish calendar). Chanukah, the eight-day Festival of Lights, celebrates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the year 139 BCE.  Guest speaker Rabbi Aaron L. Raskin, co-founder of Congregation B’nai Avraham in… MORE

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Digital Van Driver Will Be NYCHA’s First ‘Neighborhood Tech Supervisor’ 

Kim Maxwell, a senior driver with NYCHA’s Digital Van program, has been tapped to become NYCHA’s first Neighborhood Tech Supervisor. He will lead a new mobile team of IT technicians who will visit property management offices to help staff troubleshoot their computers and train them on new software. Mr. Maxwell has been a digital van… MORE

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Celebrating Community at the Chinese-American Association’s Holiday Luncheon

After three years of hiatus due to the pandemic, NYCHA’s Chinese-American Association (CAA) again held its annual winter holiday luncheon on December 9. “We’ve been trying to do this since 2019,” CAA President Linda “Qi” Zhang said.   More than 80 CAA members – all NYCHA employees and a few NYCHA retirees – enjoyed the… MORE

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Eight Questions for Lisa Bova-Hiatt, NYCHA’s Interim Chief Executive Officer

Lisa Bova-Hiatt was appointed NYCHA’s Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in September 2022. She was previously the Authority’s Executive Vice President for Legal Affairs and General Counsel, a role she held for nearly three years. With more than 25 years of experience at various City and State agencies, Ms. Bova-Hiatt brings deep knowledge of how… MORE

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Guidance Regarding COVID-19 (Updated 2/8/23)

2/8/23 update (COVID-19 Vaccination Now Optional for City Employees): Dear Colleagues, Due to the success of the City’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate, over 331,000 City workers – more than 96 percent – are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. On February 6, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams announced that the City will make vaccination optional for current City employees and prospective… MORE

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NYCHA’s Language Services Unit Completes Its 10,000th Translation 

The Spanish-language flier posted at the Bronx’s Butler Houses announcing a planning meeting for basketball court and playground upgrades is no ordinary flier: It is the 10,000th document translated into a foreign language for NYCHA residents in the 14 years the Language Services Unit (LSU) has been keeping track.   “It’s a huge achievement that we… MORE

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Meet Eva Trimble, NYCHA’s Chief Operating Officer

Eva Trimble was appointed NYCHA’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) in July 2022. She was previously the Authority’s first-ever Executive Vice President for Strategy and Innovation, a role in which she led efforts to develop and implement the Transformation Plan to strengthen our organization and the ways we serve residents. Read on to learn more about COO Trimble and… MORE

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Gas Restored at 17 Developments Impacting More Than 1,000 Households in Time for Thanksgiving

NYCHA additionally repaired or replaced more than 5,000 stoves in more than 150 developments and, alongside staff and volunteers, is distributing approximately 9,000 Thanksgiving meals at 210 developments NYCHA announced today that since the beginning of November, gas service has been restored at Breukelen, Coney Island I (Sites 4 & 5), Bland, East River, Gun… MORE

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With Help from NYCHA, Parkside Houses Resident Starts and Advances Public Service Career

Tytionna Peterkin was looking for a better job. Working as a caterer wasn’t what the 20-something Parkside Houses resident had in mind for herself when she attended college.  Unfortunately, financial pressures had forced her to cut short her college career at Albright College in Pennsylvania and the Borough of Manhattan Community College. But her previous… MORE

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Recognizing NYCHA’s OMAR Staff

On June 9, NYCHA’s Office of Mold Assessment and Remediation (OMAR) held a ceremony to recognize more than 50 staff who worked on NYCHA’s ventilation programs. Notably, OMAR staff completed an Authority-wide roof fan project, which involved replacing 6,188 roof fans and confirming that an additional 2,248 fans are functional and can be kept in… MORE

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NYCHA Observes ‘America Recycles Day’ Every Day of the Year

November 15 is America Recycles Day, but NYCHA recognizes the importance of recycling every day – the Authority has renewed its focus on recycling and created new programs to improve the collection of recyclables.  NYCHA’s Waste Management Department launched its Recycle First initiative in Staten Island in September 2021, working closely with development staff and… MORE

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NYCHA’s Policy Advisor Presents at International Sustainability Conference 

NYCHA Policy Advisor Debora Lopes discussed the latest developments in sustainability and wellness in built spaces at the 2022 Greenbuild International Conference in San Francisco last week.   “It was fantastic to present on NYCHA’s decarbonization roadmap, especially our Clean Heat for all Challenge,” Ms. Lopes said. “Decarbonization in affordable housing requires ambitious policies and… MORE

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Say ‘Hola’ to NYCHA’s Newest Employee Association, OHLA

NYCHA has a new Hispanic and Latin American organization. Say Hola to NYCHA’s Employee Association, OHLA, the Organization of Hispanic and Latin American. Human Resources Department Associate Staff Analyst Franklin Velez launched this new employee association to share Hispanic and Latin American cultural celebrations with NYCHA employees.   Mr. Velez got the idea of starting… MORE

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Workplace Safety

Workplace Violence Prevention Is Everyone’s Responsibility NYCHA employees and contractors should immediately report any potential or actual workplace violence by calling the Office of Safety & Security at (212) 306-8800. In case of a workplace violence incident: Retreat from, and do not engage in, a potential workplace violence situation. Act professionally and calmly when confronted… MORE

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NYC Celebrated as Finalist for C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Award

New York City was celebrated as one of 20 finalists for a 2022 C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Award at a ceremony held on October 19 at the C40 World Mayors Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina.   The award celebrates the most impactful projects or programs spearheaded by cities from around the world to tackle the… MORE

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It’s National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

Every year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) partner to raise awareness about the risks of lead poisoning during National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (October 23-29 this year). This year’s theme, “Get the Facts, Get Your Home Tested, and… MORE

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