NYCHA Now

Year: 2022

December 2022Exceptional Colleagues

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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December 2022FeaturedNYCHA Leadership

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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COVID-19February 2023

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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December 2022

Empowering Entrepreneurs: Graduates of NYCHA’S Construction Business Pathways Share Lessons from the Program 

When Tashika Woods moved to New York City about five years ago from New Orleans, where she’d been working as a union iron worker, she was looking forward to growing her Black female-owned business, Iron Construction and Contracting Services. But her business struggled to grow.   “Even though I’ve been in business for six years,… MORE

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December 2022HighlightedPublic Housing Preservation Trust

Final Voting Procedures for the Public Housing Preservation Trust Now Available

We are pleased to announce that after several months of in-person and virtual public meetings with residents, resident leaders, and advocates to develop the Public Housing Preservation Trust draft voting procedures, and a nearly six-week public comment period on the draft voting procedures, the final voting procedures are now available.   Based on the valuable feedback… MORE

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December 2022Exceptional ColleaguesHighlightedMilestones

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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December 2022Public Housing Preservation Trust

NYCHA Seeks Resident Input on the Public Housing Preservation Trust Draft Voting Procedures 

After two months of public meetings – virtual and in-person – NYCHA is reviewing the comments and suggestions it received from residents regarding the Public Housing Preservation Trust’s draft voting procedures.   The legislation authorizing the Trust, signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul this summer, requires the establishment of a resident opt-in voting process that… MORE

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December 2022HighlightedNYCHA Leadership

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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December 2022Highlighted

Visioning the Future of Gowanus Houses and Wyckoff Gardens

Over 200 residents from Gowanus Houses and Wyckoff Gardens recently had the opportunity to share their ideas and feedback on the future repairs and renovation work coming to their development during community visioning workshops led by NYCHA’s Comprehensive Modernization (Comp Mod) team. The workshops (held in Wyckoff Gardens in October and Gowanus Houses in November)… MORE

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December 2022

Thankful for the NYCHA Community

Thanksgiving is a time of reflection and togetherness. This year, the NYCHA community united to ensure that NYCHA residents had Thanksgiving meals with their families and friends. From turkey donations to groceries and prepared meals, the outpouring of support from NYCHA resident associations, businesses and community organizations, and elected officials kicked off the season of… MORE

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November 2022

NYCHA’s Work Order Reform Continues Making Strides After Citywide Rollout 

Following borough-specific rollouts over the past year, NYCHA’s revamped process of scheduling work orders at developments is now underway throughout the city.   With the latest implementation launching across Manhattan in early October, the Work Order Reform program has brought some welcomed improvements in communities where stakeholders have experienced the changes firsthand. The program was first… MORE

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Exceptional ColleaguesNovember 2022NYCHA Leadership

Meet Joy Sinderbrand, Senior Vice President for Capital Programs 

For nearly two decades, Joy Sinderbrand has been instrumental in the execution of several public-private partnership projects that have shaped the city of New York; she has a knack for ensuring project teams are on the same page so they can achieve ambitious goals.   As NYCHA’s Senior Vice President for Capital Programs, streamlining the… MORE

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November 2022Partnerships

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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November 2022

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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November 2022Sustainability

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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HighlightedNovember 2022Sustainability

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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Ask the CEONovember 2022

Ask the CEO

Interim CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt Answers Your Questions Every month, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NYCHA will respond to questions from staff on topics such as operations, the future of the agency, and how we’re overcoming everyday challenges. Have a question for the CEO? Send it to AsktheCEO@nycha.nyc.gov and check back here to see if… MORE

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November 2022NYCHA Leadership

CFO Annika Lescott-Martinez Selected for Crain’s New York Business 40 Under 40 

NYCHA’s Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Finance Annika Lescott-Martinez has been named to the 2022 class of Crain’s New York Business 40 Under 40.  Established in 1988, the publication’s annual 40 Under 40 list celebrates the most accomplished New York City-based business professionals under 40 years old. Ms. Lescott-Martinez, 34, who joined… MORE

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November 2022

NYCHA’s Capital Projects Roundup: September-October 2022 

NYCHA’s Asset and Capital Management Division (A&CM) recently completed renovations for accessible parking, utility, and roofing projects across the city to bring a variety of benefits and improved services for residents.    A&CM oversees a $4.5 billion capital projects portfolio funded with federal, State, and City investments. The division works to preserve and modernize public housing… MORE

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November 2022

Supply Management and Procurement Gets National Award for Service Excellence 

NYCHA’s Supply Management and Procurement Department has been recognized by a national organization for its achievements in the area of government procurement.   In early October, the department was awarded the 2022 Annual Achievement of Excellence in Procurement from the National Procurement Institute, Inc. The award, which recognizes agencies that demonstrate a commitment to procurement excellence,… MORE

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Employee VoicesNovember 2022

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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SafeNYCHA

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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November 2022NYCHA Partners

Free Mentor Program Helps NYCHA-CUNY Amazon Scholars with Career Planning 

NYCHA residents studying at CUNY colleges this fall are getting some guidance on how to plan for future careers from some seasoned professionals.   Thanks to a new free program, recipients of NYCHA-CUNY Amazon scholarships are receiving individualized mentoring and career development support from NYCHA employees and other professionals for post-graduation success. The program is an… MORE

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October 2022

Veteran Employee Receives Assembly Commendation for Service to Residents 

In a week when customer service was top of mind for staff across NYCHA, one longtime employee received special recognition at the statewide level for her service to the community.   Donnette Atkinson, an Administrative Manager in the Resident Participation and Civic Engagement Department, was awarded an honorary citation from Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner at the recommendation… MORE

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October 2022

Customer Service Week 2022: Celebrate Service  

NYCHA departments and developments commemorated Customer Service Week 2022 from October 17 to October 21 by hosting communal activities in tribute to the theme of “Celebrate Service.” Below are some highlights of how NYCHA colleagues spent the week visiting developments, reviewing best practices, interacting with their teams, and motivating each other as the Authority demonstrated… MORE

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Ask the CEOOctober 2022

Ask the CEO

Interim CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt Answers Your Questions Every month, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NYCHA will respond to questions from staff on topics such as operations, the future of the agency, and how we’re overcoming everyday challenges. Have a question for the CEO? Send it to AsktheCEO@nycha.nyc.gov and check back here to see if… MORE

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October 2022PACT

NYCHA Closes on Transfer of Manhattanville Development Rights to Adjacent Site  

On October 14, NYCHA finalized an agreement to transfer 280,000 square feet of development rights (“air rights”) and 12,500 square feet of land from Manhattanville Houses to an adjacent private property at 1440 Amsterdam Avenue.  The transaction generates $28 million in funding, which will be used exclusively at Manhattanville Houses for comprehensive building repairs and… MORE

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Health & SafetyOctober 2022

EHS Fire Safety Oversight Team Honored for Exemplary Customer Service

On October 6, the NYCHA Environmental Health and Safety Department’s Fire Safety Oversight Team (FSOT) was recognized with this year’s Excellence in Customer Service Award from the Mayor’s Office of Operations.  The annual awards, which are presented across City agencies, recognize “outstanding City workers and teams that demonstrate their dedication and commitment to New York… MORE

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NYCHA PartnersSeptember 2022

Senior Affordable Housing Complex Holds Ribbon Cutting Near Mill Brook Houses 

On September 13, the Bronx’s Mott Haven community celebrated the official opening of a 158-unit affordable housing complex for low-income senior residents.  Mill Brook Terrace sits on the site of a former NYCHA parking lot near Mill Brook Houses, where seniors now have access to an 8,700-square-foot senior center, supportive services, green spaces, and other… MORE

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NYCHA LeadershipSeptember 2022

Advancing NYCHA’s Transformation Plan with an Updated Leadership Structure

Dear Colleagues, Over the last several years, we have made significant changes across NYCHA. As part of NYCHA’s Transformation and Implementation Plans, earlier this year the Board amended NYCHA’s by-laws to separate the roles of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chair of the Board of Directors. This leadership model is what we have been working toward… MORE

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September 2022Sustainability

Climate Corps Fellows Study Sustainable Food Waste Solutions at NYCHA 

How much food waste would it take to power an electric bicycle?  Two graduate school students worked to find a solution to such an inquiry this summer while studying organic waste collection at NYCHA. Abigail Brown and Jed Higdon served as Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) Climate Corps fellows who helped advance the Authority’s environmental goals… MORE

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August 2022Partnerships

NYCHA Distributed Welcome Baby Bags to Expecting Families

More than 205 bags with baby essentials and toys were distributed to NYCHA families who registered their expecting status through the Authority’s Self-Service Portal. NYCHA’s Resident Engagement Department, in cooperation with Health Initiatives and the Fund for Public Housing (the Fund), partnered with Baby2Baby and Moms for Moms to purchase, assemble, and deliver door to… MORE

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August 2022Health & SafetyHighlighted

Meet the EHS Lead Oversight Team (LOT)

NYCHA’s Environmental Health and Safety Department’s (EHS) Lead Oversight Team (LOT) oversees all lead-based paint (LBP) activities to identify, prevent, or correct any non-compliance with the applicable requirements. The team consists of three U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-certified Risk Assessors who are led by a certified Field Supervisor. As part of NYCHA’s Lead Compliance Assurance program,… MORE

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August 2022NYCHA Leadership

NYCHA Conducts Coastal Storm Preparedness Tabletop Exercise

On August 4, NYCHA’s Emergency Management and Services Department conducted a coastal storm preparedness tabletop exercise with Operations’ borough vice presidents and neighborhood administrators at the Emergency Operations Center in Long Island City. The tabletop exercise and dialogue with Operations leadership was designed to provide a better understanding of preparedness issues or gaps that impact… MORE

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August 2022Sustainability

NYC Selected as Finalist for C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Award, Spotlighting NYCHA’s Sustainability Agenda

Recognizing its leadership in addressing climate change, New York City was selected as one of 20 finalists for the 2022 C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Award. The awards celebrate the most ambitious and impactful projects or programs spearheaded by cities from around the world to tackle the climate crisis. The theme of this year’s awards is… MORE

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August 2022NYCHA PartnersSustainability

The Clean Energy Academy Will Prepare Residents for Green Careers

The Fund for Public Housing (the Fund) and NYCHA, in partnership with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), National Grid, New York Power Authority (NYPA), Trinity Church Wall Street Philanthropies, NorthLight Foundation, and Rise Light & Power, recently announced the launch of the Clean Energy Academy. Over two years, the $2… MORE

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August 2022Exceptional ColleaguesHighlighted

Meet Shanna Castillo – Senior Director of NYCHA’s REES Office

For almost a decade, Shanna Castillo and her team have worked to continue to develop NYCHA’s Office of Resident Economic Empowerment & Sustainability (REES) — which connects residents to employment and career advancement, adult education and vocational training, financial empowerment, and business development — into a model of how partnership and access to opportunities can… MORE

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August 2022Exceptional ColleaguesHighlighted

Meet Brian Honan, Senior Vice President of Intergovernmental Relations 

Like many who have worked extensively in government, Brian Honan knows that building relationships is key to advancing legislation and solving complex problems for people in the community.    As Senior Vice President of NYCHA’s Office of Intergovernmental Relations, the bonds he has formed with NYCHA residents, members of the public, and elected officials are… MORE

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August 2022FeaturedSustainability

$70M Initial Investment Will Decarbonize NYCHA Buildings with New Electric Heat Pumps

Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams joined the NYCHA, New York Power Authority (NYPA), and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to announce the Clean Heat for All Challenge (#CleanHeat4All or #CH4A) — making an initial $70 million investment in the development and production of 30,000 new heat pump units for use in New York City public housing facilities.

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Ask the ChairAugust 2022

Ask the Chair

Chair Russ Answers Your Questions Every month, Chair Greg Russ will respond to questions from staff on topics like operations, the future of the agency, and how we’re overcoming everyday challenges. Have a question for Chair Russ about NYCHA? Send it to AsktheChair@nycha.nyc.gov and check back here to see if it was selected to be answered.… MORE

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August 2022

NYCHA’s “M/WBE In Action” Virtual Procurement Fair

NYCHA’s “M/WBE In Action” virtual event was hosted by the Authority’s Supply Management and Procurement Department on July 13, 2022, with over 100 City-certified Minority- and Women-owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE) firms from various industries in attendance. “M/WBE In Action” commemorated the one-year anniversary of the launch of NYCHA’s formal M/WBE program and was the first… MORE

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July 2022

NYCHA’s Comprehensive Modernization Program Hosts Networking Event

On June 29, NYCHA’s Comprehensive Modernization (Comp Mod) Program hosted a networking event, “Rebuilding NYCHA Housing,” at the NYC College of Technology in Brooklyn. The event, geared specifically towards Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (SDVOB), and Section 3 businesses, welcomed over 250 attendees to learn more about Comp Mod and how… MORE

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July 2022

Coastal Storm Planning

Peak coastal storm season in NYC is from August through October every year. Make a plan to keep you and your family safe! When would I evacuate? • If necessary, the City would issue an Evacuation Recommendation or Evacuation Order for your hurricane zone. • If this order is issued, evacuate as soon as possible… MORE

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Health & SafetyHighlightedJuly 2022

Meet the EHS Integrated Pest Management Oversight Team (IPMOT) 

NYCHA’s Environmental Health and Safety Department’s (EHS) Integrated Pest Management Oversight Team (IPMOT) oversees pest mitigation and extermination measures to ensure compliance with best practices and existing standard procedures, in accordance with the principles of NYCHA’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach. As part of its work, the IPMOT:  Conducts oversight inspections of staff providing pest… MORE

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Employee VoicesExceptional ColleaguesHighlightedJuly 2022

Making a Difference 

Meet Ernesto Rodriguez, Administrative Training Coordinator at Learning & Development’s Maintenance Training Center Whenever Ernesto Rodriguez goes to a NYCHA development, he recognizes most of the property management and maintenance staff – because he trained them. Mr. Rodriguez is the Administrator of HR’s Maintenance Training Center, which equips assistant superintendents, superintendents, and field staff with… MORE

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July 2022News to Use

NYCHA Employee Elected Treasurer of the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association

Raquel Miranda, Agency Attorney in NYCHA’s Law Department, was recently elected Treasurer of the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association (BWBA). The BWBA was established more than a century ago by nine women lawyers to achieve equality, diversity, fairness, and opportunities for women. It is affiliated with the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York… MORE

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July 2022Sustainability

NYCHA Begins Design and Construction of State-of-the-Art Pneumatic Waste Collection System at Polo Grounds Towers

On Thursday, June 30, NYCHA officially gave a Notice to Proceed (NTP) to a construction team comprised of Navillus Contracting, Dewberry Engineers Inc., Marvel Architects, Landscape Architects, Urban Designers, PLLC, and Atreo (Pneumatic Waste Collection Systems), for work on a $31 million large-scale installation of a pneumatic waste collection system that will serve the NYCHA… MORE

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July 2022NYCHA Leadership

Announcing New Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Operating Officer Appointments

Dear Colleagues,  As we continue our work to strengthen and transform NYCHA, it’s important that we have continuity in the leadership vision needed to achieve these shared goals. Therefore, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Eva Trimble as NYCHA’s Chief Operating Officer and Marvin Walton as Deputy Chief Operating Officer effective July 25.… MORE

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FeaturedJuly 2022PACT

PACT: ‘A Better Way of Living’ for NYCHA Residents 

In just six years, NYCHA’s Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program has generated more than $3.4 billion in capital funding for comprehensive apartment renovations and building infrastructure improvements for nearly 15,500 households across the city.   An additional 19,700 NYCHA households are slated to receive the enhancements at properties that are currently in the process of… MORE

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July 2022Sustainability

NYCHA Thought Leader Events in June Address Energy, Sustainability  

As the largest public housing authority in the country, NYCHA is served by numerous thought leaders, employees whose expertise in a specific field can help shape policies and develop innovative solutions to challenging problems.   NYCHA regularly participates in a variety of thought leadership events, which provide opportunities for staff to promote programs and initiatives… MORE

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July 2022PACT

Twin Parks West Reopens Courtyard Play Area with PACT Improvements  

On June 28, the Twin Parks West community in the Bronx celebrated the reopening of the inner courtyard and recreational area after renovations were completed under NYCHA’s Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program.  Representatives from NYCHA and Gilbane Development Company were joined by project staff and Twin Parks West residents to mark the completion of… MORE

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Health & SafetyJune 2022

Nominate Yourself or a Colleague for a Safety Award

​In celebration of National Safety Month, which is every June, NYCHA is re-launching the Safety Awards Program. This year’s theme is “Safety Starts with Me,” which reaffirms the Authority’s commitment to preventing workplace injuries and to promoting workplace safety awareness. NYCHA’s Environmental Health and Safety Department (EHS) is accepting nominations for the NYCHA Safety Awards… MORE

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