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 July:
From James Parziale, Web Content Manager in the Department of Communications: “Considering your prior experience at other public housing authorities, what would you say is the biggest difference or challenge about NYCHA compared to other cities?”
Chair Russ: “NYCHA has some of the oldest public housing in the nation – and we all know too well how aging buildings that haven’t received the investment they’ve needed over the years can impact residents’ quality of life and make our jobs to maintain and repair them even harder. The lack of investment makes the routine for maintenance very difficult – in fact, almost no repair is routine as the work can easily expand into a much larger issue. This is not typical in a well-invested property. The complexity and degree of repairs required are much higher at NYCHA; skilled trades are needed for many work orders, whereas at other agencies this constant, high demand for maintenance work is not present.
“Another one of NYCHA’s biggest challenges – its immense size – is also one of its greatest assets: NYCHA’s large scale provides an opportunity to make a big impact in the lives of so many as well as to lead on a range of initiatives, from sustainability innovations to trailblazing approaches like the Public Housing Preservation Trust. For instance, our Clean Heat for All Challenge is designed to spur innovation by calling upon manufacturers to develop a highly energy-efficient, low-cost, and easily installed heating and cooling system. NYCHA will purchase 24,000 of these units from the winning vendor for six of our developments. Back in the 90s, NYCHA leveraged its buying power through a similar product challenge that resulted in some of the first Energy Star-rated refrigerators, cutting the fridges’ energy consumption by more than half.
“And with the Trust, we are pioneering a groundbreaking approach that will enable us to complete billions of dollars of comprehensive renovations at an initial 25,000 apartments – while keeping a public workforce and preserving employees’ jobs, maintaining residents rights, and keeping our properties fully public. I am pleased that we are working together to adapt public housing to the times and ensure its longevity for the generations to come. Where New York City goes, others follow.”
