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. Please be advised that featured questions will be published with the names of the employees who submitted them. Here is the selection for April:
From Renia Covington, Administrative Manager, Department of Communications: “What appealed to you about taking on one of the hardest jobs in NYC considering all the challenges NYCHA is facing?”
Chair Russ: “This July will mark 50 years that I’ve worked in public housing. I love and believe in public housing, because I think that it does something really powerful when it gives families a good and stable home; it’s transformative for both the family and the community as a whole, and I think it’s an essential program. Seeing our nation’s largest public housing authority in distress was a challenge worth taking, and one that I couldn’t ignore. I knew that the job was going to demand thoughtful and often difficult decisions – choices you can’t be afraid to make. But I also knew that bold action here would make a big difference – New York City and NYCHA are leaders: where they go, others follow. In my 50 years in public housing, I’ve seen a lot of challenges all across the country. Seeing that always prompts the question: How do we solve these issues? How we do bring the investments that these buildings so desperately need so we can provide residents with homes that are decent, safe, and sanitary? And that’s exactly what I wanted to do here at NYCHA.”
