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 August:

From Niko Geoffroy, Assistant Project Manager in Asset & Capital Management/Sustainability:  

 

“Chair Russ, thank you for opening this channel of communication; your openness and transparency is refreshing.  I attended the NYCHA Change Ambassador meeting at 90 Church St on July 13, 2022, where you delivered a presentation on the NYC Public Housing Preservation Trust. I had question after the presentation but hadn’t gotten a chance to ask it, so I thought I’d ask it here: 

 

If a development votes to go the way of the Trust, my understanding is that the management of that development remains with NYCHA. The Trust would contract NYCHA to manage the development. Is that correct? And if so, does the Trust have the option to contract the management work to a different vendor or is it a requirement that the vendor be NYCHA? 

 

In addition, if a development votes to go the way of the Trust, it’s not clear who performs other tasks such as project implementation. For example, if my team embarks on a project to replace the boilers at a development, we would implement the project ourselves.  We’d run the procurement process to retain the ESCO/CM, manage and oversee the design and construction, review and approve change orders and invoices, manage the closeout process, etc. If a development moves under the Trust, will this work remain with us or will it be under the purview of the Trust?” 

 

Chair Russ: “If a development votes to opt-in to the Trust, the development will continue to be managed by NYCHA. NYCHA’s day-to-day operations remain in place, including the areas where NYCHA management currently works with NYCHA vendors to complete specific scopes of work. 

 

NYCHA is currently in the process of refining how roles and responsibilities for project implementation will work between NYCHA and the Trust. For developments that vote to opt-in to the Trust, the Trust would be responsible for overseeing and managing comprehensive modernization projects. However, current NYCHA staff could be assigned to work on these projects under the purview of the Trust, either through a full-time assignment to the Trust or double-hatted in a role with the Trust. In addition, current and future component projects could continue to be managed by NYCHA staff, either in their current capacity or double-hatted in a role with the Trust. This refinement of roles and responsibilities will continue to be clarified as the Trust is established over the coming months.”