Quarterly Update from the CEO: Fall 2025
Dear Colleagues,
As we approach the latter months of what has been a very productive year, I would like to highlight a few recent and noteworthy events and achievements involving the NYCHA community.
Update on the Federal Government Shutdown
First, I’d like to provide you with another update regarding the federal government shutdown. While it’s unfortunate that this situation has not yet been resolved, please be assured that we still do not anticipate any immediate impacts to our public housing operations, staff, or residents at this time. We anticipate that HUD will issue November Section 8 payments as normal. If HUD provides further guidance, we’ll notify residents and landlords accordingly.
We continue to monitor the news coming out of Washington and are making contingency plans in case the shutdown persists. No matter what happens, we will always prioritize the vital services we deliver to the New Yorkers we serve. We are a flexible and resilient community, and we will always persevere over any challenges.
Housing Preservation Efforts
We are making considerable progress in our work to bring revitalized homes to NYCHA families. In recent months, the PACT program has streamlined the way it solicits potential developer, property manager, and general contractor partners; closed on financing to renovate Metro North Plaza, White Houses, Bedford-Stuyvesant Rehab, Ocean Hill Apartments, Saratoga Village, and Stuyvesant Gardens I and II; and completed a significant milestone in the effort to transform Fulton and Elliot-Chelsea Houses, releasing a Final Scope of Work and Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
The Trust shortlisted three firms who will compete to renovate Unity Towers; issued a Request for Qualifications to solicit design-build teams to renovate Hylan Houses; and announced the selection of design-build teams that will rehabilitate Bronx River Addition and Nostrand Houses. We also invited the public to comment on proposed updates to the resident voting procedures that are based on lessons learned from the seven development votes we’ve held so far.
Our Comprehensive Modernization initiative is transforming residents’ lives along with their homes – this spring, graduates of the third class of the Pathways to Apprenticeship program, primarily recruited from Comp Mod sites, set out on a new path toward future careers in the construction industry. Through this free training program (funded by the Comp Mod Department), participants gained constructions skills and key industry certifications which will prepare them for union apprenticeships and long-term employment in skilled trades representing unions in New York and beyond. To date, approximately 60 percent of graduates are now employed with unions, and a fourth cohort is currently underway, continuing to expand opportunities for residents to build lasting careers in the construction industry. And residents of Wyckoff Gardens and Gowanus Houses have been meeting with the design-build team selected to complete a $247 million renovation of their developments to provide their feedback on the upcoming work.
This summer, the Real Estate Development Department released a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) to solicit interest from partners with development projects on private land, exploring the expansion of public development opportunities that could serve low-income New Yorkers. Building on the success of programs like PACT and the Trust, this new endeavor would pursue the potential for further public development and the creation of more low-income housing in all five boroughs, tapping into NYCHA’s resources as the largest landowner in New York City and its roots as a public developer of low-income housing. The RFEI invites members of the real estate community to propose sites and existing buildings where NYCHA can use its flexible tools to achieve these aims.
Celebrating NYCHA Community
We had a blast this summer at the more than 120 Family Days celebrated at NYCHA developments throughout the city – they showcased the camaraderie and festivity which define NYCHA communities. Visit The NYCHA Journal for some photos and highlights, which included the recognition of community scholarships, exemplary resident leaders and staff, and impactful capital projects.
Speaking of recognizing exemplary staff, our Customer Service Week celebration honored our hard work and vital contributions while highlighting the importance of quality, meaningful customer service. While Customer Service Week is an annual observance, I know that we are making a difference for residents each and every day through empathy and a steadfast commitment to those we serve.
Happy 20th birthday to the NYCHA-CUNY Scholarship program! Since its inception two decades ago, 615 NYCHA residents and Section 8 voucher holders have been awarded $615,000 to help them pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees at CUNY schools. Thank you to all the staff and partners involved in this transformative opportunity.
Our efforts to support the community are carried out in various – and sometimes very visible – ways. For instance, we recently facilitated the opening of a revitalized computer lab and new playground and recreation area at Van Dyke Houses, a new mental health initiative at Johnson Houses, and revitalized open spaces at Patterson Houses.
Departmental Updates
We continue to transform our organization so that we can better serve residents. Our latest update is in the Department of Resident Services, Partnerships, and Initiatives (RSPI): To provide residents with an on-the-ground point of contact regarding operational situations, we embedded Neighborhood Service Coordinators, and their Borough Managers, in Property Management Operations. Each Neighborhood is now served by one Neighborhood Service Coordinator.
And please join me in welcoming new leadership in RSPI: Kathleen Corradi has joined us as Senior Vice President for RSPI, and Taylor Ramsey is now serving as Kathleen’s Senior Advisor. Together, they are helping to advance our new vision for resident engagement, partnerships, and enhanced service delivery across NYCHA. You can read more about their impressive backgrounds in public service here.
As we continue to strengthen our support functions and ensure operational continuity within the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), I am pleased to announce that Robin Yudkovitz will serve as Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Tony Maldonado will continue to serve as the Vice President for Purchasing, Logistics, and Inventory while also taking on the Acting VP of General Services role. These appointments provide steady leadership and reinforce our shared priorities of organizational improvement, collaboration, and operational excellence.
In the Finance team, Ah-Yat Lee was promoted to Vice President and Controller and Amita Patel was promoted to Director of General Ledger. Together they will continue to ensure strong internal controls, accuracy in our financial reporting, and steady leadership. Please join me in congratulating everyone on their new roles!
Connect with the CEO
As part of our “Coffee with the CEO” series, I meet informally with small groups of employees from across the Authority to discuss how we can work together more effectively to achieve our goals as an organization. If you’d like to participate, please complete the information here. Participants are chosen randomly, and you’ll be contacted if you are selected.
Do you have a general question about NYCHA? You can send your questions to AsktheCEO@nycha.nyc.gov and check NYCHANow and Connect to see if they were selected to be answered as part of our “Ask the CEO” column. Please be advised that featured questions will be published with the names of the employees who submitted them.
I am so proud to work alongside you as we strive to improve the quality of life for NYCHA families – thank you for all that you do!
Sincerely,
Lisa Bova-Hiatt, Chief Executive Officer
