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. This month’s selection answers two questions that were received in April:
From Ruth Freeman, Social Worker in the Family Partnerships Department: “Did I read that the State legislature voted against the ‘Blueprint for Change’ in NYCHA’s structure? What does that mean? What parts of the plan will change due to that decision?”
From Saul Mackler, Housing Manager in the IT Department: “If the Public Housing Preservation Trust is not going to happen, what is the plan for the 110,000 units that were going there?”
Chair Russ: “I am pleased to announce that the State legislature passed the Public Housing Preservation Trust during the current legislative session. This is a momentous event in the history of public housing – here in New York City and across the nation. The Trust will allow NYCHA to complete billions of dollars in top-to-bottom building renovations while keeping a public workforce and preserving NYCHA employees’ jobs, maintaining residents’ rights, and keeping our properties 100 percent public.
“The Trust also gives residents a true voice in the future of their homes. Over the past two years, we have been speaking with residents from around the city to get their feedback and recommendations on the Trust idea. From these conversations, it was clear that residents must have more control, ownership, and decision-making over the future of their developments.
“And so, the updated version of the Trust legislation that recently passed enables residents to choose whether or not to move forward with renovations at their developments and which renovation program they’d like to use. The new legislation also allows residents to be part of the process for selecting vendors to rehabilitate their development and serve on committees that check the quality of this work.
“I’d like to thank our partners in State government for making possible real change and lasting solutions for NYCHA residents. We will keep you updated on the Trust in the months ahead. As always, staff with questions about the Trust or other transformation efforts can reach out to transform@nycha.nyc.gov. I look forward to continued progress on this incredibly important initiative to improve residents’ quality of life in a meaningful way.”
