We’re periodically featuring the hardworking staff members who are making a difference for residents. Learn more about how we’re becoming a better landlord through their efforts. In this installment, meet Michael Cox, Community Coordinator in the Resident Engagement Department.
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In mid-January, New Yorkers 65 and older became eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. NYCHA’s population includes a large number of older adults, and the City and State established vaccine clinics at certain NYCHA developments to ensure that the vaccine was accessible to these residents. As more people became eligible, the clinics at NYCHA locations… MORE
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This year, we close Women’s History Month by highlighting some of NYCHA’s women leaders whose daily contributions serve residents, staff, and the Authority as they help lead efforts to transform the agency.
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On February 19, the Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center marked Black History Month with a virtual celebration that featured music, poetry, speeches, and dance performances by staff, center participants, and special guests. Music included the singing of the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” renditions of Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good” and Marvin Gaye’s… MORE
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To commemorate Black History Month, NYCHA is highlighting the work of partner organizations that support, educate, and advocate for NYCHA residents to learn new skills to empower themselves and their communities. When Hakim Jeffrey, 21, walks around his Bay View Houses community, he sometimes feels like a celebrity because residents notice him and ask about… MORE
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A new outdoor public art exhibition, “Intertwining Colors,” is now on view across 370 feet of construction scaffolding at Fulton Houses and Chelsea-Elliott Houses. The art features hand-painted murals with portraits of 60 residents from both NYCHA developments. “Intertwining Colors” is part of an ongoing artist fellowship program, “Bridging the Divide,” through ArtBridge, a non-profit… MORE
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NYCHA developments are a major part of New York City’s landscape, so it is no wonder that they have played a supporting role in the backgrounds of numerous documentaries, films, and television shows.
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To commemorate Black History Month, NYCHA is highlighting the work of partner organizations that support, educate, and advocate for NYCHA residents to learn new skills to empower themselves and their communities. Melisa Jamison had a small business but was not sure how to grow or market it. A flyer in the lobby of her Rutgers… MORE
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Community Health Workers (CHW) are important public health advocates who help people manage chronic health conditions; educate and guide them through the medical system; and connect them to much-needed health and social services in a culturally appropriate manner. Many CHWs are members of the communities they serve, trusted neighbors who liaise between hospitals and other… MORE
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The winter holiday season is about giving and receiving. For Todt Hill Houses resident Jonathan Alexander, creating holiday meals for fellow NYCHA residents that you’d find at a five-star restaurant was both an opportunity for his catering company and a chance to do something special for his community. Mr. Alexander is the owner of L’Boe Catering;… MORE
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Dear Colleagues, This week, the public comment period for NYCHA’s draft Transformation Plan closed. We received more than 300 comments from residents, employees, and other stakeholders on how to comprehensively restructure NYCHA. We appreciate the feedback and look forward to using these comments to help shape the Transformation Plan moving forward. As part of the 2019 HUD Agreement, the Transformation Plan… MORE
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Since the start of the pandemic, New York City has provided hundreds of millions of free meals to anyone in need. These programs continue, whether through home delivery for people who cannot go out, or through Grab & Go options at approximately 200 Department of Education sites throughout the five boroughs. In addition, the City… MORE
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Joy Sinderbrand, Vice President of NYCHA’s Recovery and Resilience Department, recently spoke about NYCHA’s Sandy recovery work as part of the Silman Resiliency Forum, held virtually on October 13. Ms. Sinderbrand participated in a session on “Setting the Stage – The NYC Waterfront,” which featured expert speakers discussing current resiliency work on the New York City waterfront, how the present work is preparing the waterfront for climate change, and whether or not New York… MORE
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On July 7, Sideya Sherman, NYCHA’s Executive Vice President for Community Engagement & Partnerships (CEP), was named (CEP) Executive Director of the City’s Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity. The Taskforce seeks to make sure that COVID-19 response and recovery efforts are fair and equitable in the city’s hardest-hit communities, where communities of color have been disproportionately impacted… MORE
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The Department of Prevention & Intervention Strategies (PAIS) would like to acknowledge staff who are going above and beyond during the COVID-19 pandemic in their work of tackling pest issues at NYCHA developments. PAIS Exterminator Lester Grant has made leaps and bounds in his work performance and is ready to lend a hand to help… MORE
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NYCHA’s Maintenance, Repair & Skilled Trades Steps Up During COVID-19 Crisis Kudos from Leon Agard, Director of Maintenance, Repair & Skilled Trades (MRST): “I’d like to acknowledge the entire Maintenance, Repair & Skilled Trades team members who have been reporting to work unless they are sick or under quarantine. In addition, the entire Asbestos Handlers’ team and their supervisors deserve recognition. About 95… MORE
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Complimenting Luis Hernandez and Shaquana Ramirez of Redfern Houses Kudos from Ashton Thomas, Property Manager of Redfern Houses: “Luis Hernandez, Property Maintenance Superintendent, and Shaquana Ramirez, Assistant Superintendent of Buildings, are the true meaning of NYCHA unsung heroes. “Mr. Hernandez has been with NYCHA for over 30 years. When most of us are fast asleep, Mr. Hernandez… MORE
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Celebrating NYCHA Heroes Meet Gerard Wheeler, Elevator Administrator There are many hardworking men and women, from the central offices to the front lines, who are making sure that NYCHA continues to deliver vital services to residents during the COVID-19 crisis and helping to keep our community healthy and safe. We thank them for their service… MORE
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Message from Vilma Huertas, Executive Vice President for Compliance and Chief Compliance Officer We hope this week has provided moments of motivation and collaboration for you and your colleagues as you’ve reviewed customer service best practices, brainstormed new solutions to challenging problems, and focused on how you can better serve NYCHA residents every day.… MORE
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NYCHA held its Senior Leadership Meeting at BNY Mellon in Manhattan on May 26. Falling the same week as Next-Generation NYCHA’s one-year anniversary, there was plenty to talk about. Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye enumerated an impressive list of accomplishments, which General Manager Michael Kelly discussed with property management staff during visits to developments before… MORE
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“We had a great time,” reported Hispanic Society First Vice President Fernando Pagán, who marched down Fifth Avenue on Sunday, June 12, with NYCHA’s contingent in New York’s 59th Puerto Rican Day Parade! “I have a short video (15 seconds) of us marching. It was filmed by Channel 7 Eyewitness News,” he added. If you… MORE
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A proud NYCHA tradition continued with the presentation of the 2016 John DeCarlo Memorial Award for Caretakers to Roberto Rodriguez, Jr., caretaker J at Johnson Houses in Manhattan, on June 10. To the cheers of family members, co-workers, and managers, Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye presented Mr. Rodriguez with a check for $1,000. Runner-up Joseph… MORE
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NYCHA’s Running Team joined thousands of New Yorkers on June 2 for the 40th Corporate Challenge run in Central Park. The 3.2-mile race is sponsored by JPMorgan Chase to raise funds for the preservation and maintenance of Central Park. “It was a perfect evening for a run with 15,000 New Yorkers and six amazing colleagues,”… MORE
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The Heating Management Department provides dependable and consistent heat and hot water to our residents. Our 438 front-line personnel manage and maintain 1,979 boilers and 1,799 tank rooms that secure our equipment. Until now, we were limited to measuring our department’s performance based on resident-initiated complaints. Since every complaint did not result in a repair,… MORE
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More than 100 former members of the NYC Housing Authority Police Department (HAPD) gathered to reminisce about old times at their annual Spring Luncheon at Riccardo’s Catering House in Astoria, Queens, on May 4. The vital contributions of the HAPD to NYCHA’s earlier decades provides many interesting stories to recollect, indeed. In 1995, the HAPD… MORE
Read moreLike firefighters and police officers, NYCHA employees are public servants who take their job responsibilities seriously. Property management staff work hard to keep NYCHA developments and facilities clean, safe, and well-maintained. And, like firefighters, police officers, and other public servants, NYCHA employees receive special protections under the law. Legislation passed in 2014 provides NYCHA staff… MORE
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In November 2015, the Management Services Department established a Business Improvement Unit, headed by Senior Administrator Chloe Gutelle, to lead business process redesign (BPR) projects. The initial focus is on assessing Skilled Trades operations beginning with exterminators, then plumbers, plasters, and painters. BPR is not a new concept to NYCHA and is currently used by… MORE
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NYCHA launched a new elevator safety campaign, promoting enhanced communication and escalation of the most dangerous conditions involving elevators. June is National Safety Month, which is an opportunity to raise awareness about improving safety in everyday life at work and at home. The ad campaign seeks to provide residents with clear, simple tools for assessing… MORE
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On May 15, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the completion of 305 new LED light fixtures at Bushwick Houses, in Brooklyn, as part of the Mayor’s Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety (MAP). Exterior lighting is a key part of MAP, a $140 million comprehensive effort to improve security at 15 NYCHA developments. “This lighting will… MORE
Read moreEmployees nearing retirement can find information on how health insurance benefits will change by viewing a two-part video found at http://www1.nyc.gov/site/olr/health/healthvideos/health-video-transition-seminar-pt1.page for part 1 and http://www1.nyc.gov/site/olr/health/healthvideos/health-video-transition-seminar-pt2.page for part two. The videos areabout five minutes and four minutes long, respectively. While the videos answer many questions, individual issues can best be addressed at a one-on-one Transitioning… MORE
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Josephine Russo, former Associate General Counsel, was appointed Vice President for Supply Management and Procurement in April 2016. Ms. Russo plans and directs the implementation of NYCHA’s procurement operations, oversees the Supply Management Department, and is responsible for procurement, materials management, warehousing and distribution for all NYCHA locations. Tricia Roberts, CIA, former Director of Risk… MORE
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Mayor Bill de Blasio has appointed Nnenna Lynch to the NYCHA Board, effective April 26, 2016. She will attend her first Executive Board meeting on May 25. A seasoned leader in affordable housing and urban affairs, Ms. Lynch has a strong track record in urban policy and economic development, and is currently Director of Development… MORE
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On May 1, NYCHA Running Team co-captain Bob Nordman, computer specialist in IT, completed the Long Island Marathon. Successfully completing an arduous 26.2 mile footrace is a notable accomplishment. But for “Fast Bob” (as he is known across the country), this race had special significance—it was the culmination of Bob’s long-held goal of running 100… MORE
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Last May, we released Next-Generation NYCHA, our 10-year strategic plan to preserve public housing for the more than 400,000 people who call NYCHA home and to protect it for our next generation of residents. I want to thank you; the plan was developed with your input, and over the past year you’ve worked hard, beginning… MORE
Read moreChair and CEO Shola Olatoye and General Manager Michael Kelly recently announced that NYCHA and the Teamsters Local 37 union have reached an agreement to deploy Flexible Operations (FlexOps): Expanded Service Hours, at 12 developments, for a four-month trial period. The model Joint Initiative will improve customer service and address employee engagement. The Joint Initiative… MORE
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NYCHA hosted its 2016 Minority-and Women-owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) and Section 3 Business Concerns (S3BC) Trade Show at BNY Mellon in Manhattan on April 19. More than 300 vendors, contractors, and consultants were in attendance—excited about the opportunities to provide some of the $1 billion of materials, supplies, and services NYCHA purchases each year. Guests… MORE
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NYCHA’s Superstorm Sandy Recovery Program, in partnership with the Office of Resident Economic Empowerment and Sustainability (REES), hosted the first-ever Careers in Construction Resource Fair at Hamilton-Madison House in Lower Manhattan on May 10. Hundreds of residents interested in various construction careers learned first-hand from carpentry, plumbing, painting and electrical union representatives about training and… MORE
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In New York City, all City employees and members of the public using City services are legally allowed to use the single-sex facility they choose based on their gender expression. Gender expression is the external representation of an individual’s gender identity and can be expressed through names, hairstyles, behaviors and choice of clothing that may be… MORE
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Thirty-five property management supervisors and caretakers were busy in the Ceremonial Room on April 19 placing plastic water bottles, metal cans, milk cartons and a cardboard pizza box in the proper blue or green receptacles. Green was for containers holding mixed paper and cardboard, and blue was for metal, rigid plastic, glass, and cartons. This… MORE
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Three innovative digital initiatives by the IT department have received awards for Outstanding Achievement in Administrative Innovation at the Middle Atlantic Regional Council Conference of the National Association of Housing and Development Officials (MARC NAHRO) in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on April 28. “We are extremely proud that NYCHA is being recognized for the hard… MORE
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Denise Guess, a community coordinator in the Resident Engagement Department, has worked for NYCHA for 10 years. Raised in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, she earned her bachelor’s degree in human services from Claflin College and a master’s in human services from Lincoln University. A resident of East Flatbush, Ms. Guess says her most outstanding… MORE
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NYCHA offers two types of scholarships to support residents as they increase their income and assets through higher education. NYCHA will award 10 NYCHA-CUNY $1,000 scholarships for the 2016-2017 school year. Authorized recipients must be a sophomore, junior, or senior enrolled in a CUNY associate or baccalaureate degree program and have at least a 3.0… MORE
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Did you know that you are entitled to excused paid leave for breast and/or prostate cancer screenings? In accordance with NYC Civil Service Law Sections 159-b and 159-c, NYCHA employees are entitled to four hours of excused paid leave each calendar year to undergo a breast and/or prostate cancer medical screening. The four hours excused… MORE
Read moreCelebrate Women’s Health Awareness Week (May 8 – 14) and National Stroke Awareness Month with Preventive and Early Detection Screenings. Beginning July 1, 2016, many preventive screenings will be available for free for all employees enrolled in the Emblem-Health GHI CBP plan? In recognition of National Stroke Awareness Month and Women’s Health Awareness Week, employees… MORE
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During the week of April 18, NYCHA sent letters to more than 1,500 residents in extremely under-occupied apartments, launching a major right-sizing initiative to “[free] up currently underoccupied units for larger households in need”—as outlined in the NextGeneration NYCHA 10- year strategic plan. “We understand that moving can be difficult under any circumstance,” said Management… MORE
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Batei Tsibur (NYCHA’s branch of the Council of Jewish Organizations in civil service) celebrated the festival of Purim on March 24 with a Megillah reading from the Book of Esther—and delicious hamantashen cookies. The Jewish festival celebrates events in ancient Persia, as recorded in the Scroll of Esther that is traditionally read on the holiday.… MORE
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NYCHA’s branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has invited members of college fraternities and sororities to “adopt” public housing developments, where they will positively impact public housing residents and the surrounding community. The volunteers will help provide a series of programs geared toward economic development, civic engagement, health and… MORE
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The Hispanic Society’s Executive Board held a “meet and greet” membership meeting following their recent election at 90 Church Street on April 13. From left are: Evelyn Ortiz , Business Agent; Nancy Ramos, 2nd Vice President; Fernando Pagán, 1st Vice President; Ligia Santiago, Sgt.-at-Arms, Jose Ortiz, President; and Edith Irizarry-Oviedo, Recording Secretary. For information about… MORE
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Calling all sports fans! Spring is here and the NYCHA Skyliners are ready to show the co-ed New York City Government Softball League (NYCGSL) who’s the real Authority on fun! Now in our third season, we welcome all NYCHA employees to join us—as a team member or part of our cheering squad! For more information… MORE
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NYCHA released our first-ever comprehensive agenda for healthy and energy-efficient public housing on April 21. The NextGeneration NYCHA Sustainability Agenda expresses the Authority’s commitment to create “healthy and comfortable homes that will withstand the challenge of climate change.” The agenda also provides for NYCHA’s compliance with the City’s greening and sustainability initiative by achieving a… MORE
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The Authority released its Next- Generation NYCHA (NextGen) First Quarter 2016 Report to update progress made on our 10-year strategic plan. Upon release of the historic NextGen initiative last May, NYCHA committed to quarterly reports to show progress as well as areas in need of improvement. After laying the groundwork in 2015 for NextGen’s 15… MORE
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Executive Assistants and other support staff who help manage the day-to-day operations of their departments attended professional development training sessions in the executive Board Room on April 4. The training introduced staff, who also work closely with Executive team members, to some of the same strategies for planning effective meetings that were introduced to senior… MORE
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In recognition of Earth Day on April 22, NYCHA CONNECT invited staff to submit photos sharing “green office tips.” Keith Hernandez in General Services grows plants in empty liter bottles. “This contributes to a green atmosphere in my office,” Mr. Hernandez said, “and it uses recyclable plastic bottles in a hydroponic [no soil] approach. It… MORE
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The Capital Projects Division’s Construction Group held its staff meeting for the second quarter of 2016 in the Ceremonial Room on April 4. More than 80 project managers, assistant project managers, construction managers, and construction field supervisors from CPD’s largest unit were in attendance. During the one-hour session, Director of Construction Patricia Zander emphasized the… MORE
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A special request made at the end of the Construction Group’s meeting has NYCHANow excited. Director of Construction Patricia Zanger asked the group to send photographs of NYCHA staff overseeing or inspecting construction work in visually interesting environments to include in this publication. Just one day later, the first photo has arrived (see right). NYCHANow… MORE
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NYCHA’s popular Self-Service Portal, where residents and Section 8 tenants can conveniently check and update their NYCHA information, now has a new feature called Opportunity Connect, where they can also sign up for financial counseling. Users ages 18 and up can log onto Opportunity Connect to make a self-referral for a one-on-one session with a… MORE
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Do you often drink more than you planned, or seem to become a “different person” when you drink? Do you need alcohol just to feel normal or relaxed? These are some of the signs of a developing or existing alcohol problem that should not be ignored. To learn about available treatments, call the NYC Employee… MORE
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Have you begun planning for your retirement? This year, National Retirement Planning Week was celebrated from April 11 –15. One-third of American workers have no retirement savings plan besides Social Security. Fortunately, NYCHA and other City employees can become members of the New York City Employees’ Retirement System (NYCERS), the largest municipal public employee retirement… MORE
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As of March 7, 2016, per Mayoral Executive Order No. 16, all employees of City agencies and all members of the public using City services must be allowed to use the single-sex facility within facilities owned or operated by the City that most closely aligns with their gender identity or expression. This order protects the… MORE
Read moreAll NYCHA personnel are responsible for notifying the Office of Safety and Security (OFSS) of any violent incidents or threatening behaviors, including threats they have witnessed, received, or know that another person has witnessed or received. Any unsafe conditions or practices should also be reported to the OFSS at 212-306-8800.
Read moreOn January 23, Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye and General Manager Cecil House announced significant operational and staffing changes that will position the Authority to implement key initiatives, including NextGeneration NYCHA, the agency’s ten-year strategic investment plan, and the recently launched Optimal Property Management Operating Model (OPMOM) pilot, which empowers property managers with far greater… MORE
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