NYCHA Now

Author: Latoya Jordan

News from the Chair
July 2022NYCHA Leadership
Latoya Jordan

Announcing New Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Operating Officer Appointments

Dear Colleagues,  As we continue our work to strengthen and transform NYCHA, it’s important that we have continuity in the leadership vision needed to achieve these shared goals. Therefore, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Eva Trimble as NYCHA’s Chief Operating Officer and Marvin Walton as Deputy Chief Operating Officer effective July 25.… Continue Reading Announcing New Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Operating Officer Appointments

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group of people in a room
June 2022
Latoya Jordan

Community Visioning for the Future of Todt Hill and St. Nicholas Houses

Residents of Todt Hill and St. Nicholas Houses recently had the opportunity to provide their ideas and feedback on the repair and modernization project coming to their developments as part of NYCHA’s Comprehensive Modernization initiative. Once complete, these large-scale renovations — $115 million for Todt Hill and $342 million for St. Nicholas — will drastically improve… Continue Reading Community Visioning for the Future of Todt Hill and St. Nicholas Houses

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people with backs to camera wearing shirts that say City Cleanup Corps
May 2022
Latoya Jordan

City Cleanup Corps: A Foot in the Door to NYCHA

Some New Yorkers who applied for and got positions in the City’s temporary economic recovery program, City Cleanup Corps, didn’t expect that those short-term positions would open the door to permanent employment and the start of hopefully long careers at NYCHA. The City Cleanup Corps (NYC CCC) employed approximately 10,000 New Yorkers across 10 City agencies… Continue Reading City Cleanup Corps: A Foot in the Door to NYCHA

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May 2022PACT
Latoya Jordan

NYCHA Residents & Employees Honored by Citizens Housing & Planning Council

On April 27, members of the NYCHA community received awards from the Citizens Housing & Planning Council (CHPC) at the organization’s 62nd Annual Luncheon, “Policy with a Purpose.” CHPC is a non-profit organization that focuses on housing and planning policy, and its work has helped shape housing policy in New York City for more than… Continue Reading NYCHA Residents & Employees Honored by Citizens Housing & Planning Council

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NYC EAP logo, graphic of two hands, text: You Talk, We Listen
Health & SafetyMay 2022
Latoya Jordan

Take Care of Yourself: NYC Employee Assistance Program

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, which is a good reminder that taking care of your health includes taking care of your mental health. This month also serves as a time to raise awareness, provide education and resources, support people with mental illness, and reduce the stigma regarding mental illness.  It is always okay to… Continue Reading Take Care of Yourself: NYC Employee Assistance Program

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woman in hijab seated at desk
April 2022Employee Voices
Latoya Jordan

Meet Javerea Komal, Project Manager in the Rapid Response Unit

Javerea Komal, Project Manager for the Office of the Vice President of Operational Analysis & Contract Management Department, is proud to work at NYCHA – she learned the importance of affordable housing as a child when she moved to the Bronx from Pakistan; having an apartment they could afford in a new country was vital… Continue Reading Meet Javerea Komal, Project Manager in the Rapid Response Unit

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photo of woman, Ukah Busgith and text: Women's History Month 2022 Promoting Healing, Providing Hope with a lotus flower image
Exceptional ColleaguesMarch 2022
Latoya Jordan

Meet Ukah Busgith

Women’s History Month: Providing Healing, Promoting Hope  For more than 30 years, Ukah Busgith has made it her mission to help improve the quality of life for NYCHA residents – whether through enrichment programs for young people, managing arts and garden programs, overseeing community centers, or connecting residents to the activities, programs, and social services… Continue Reading Meet Ukah Busgith

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portrait of woman with two logos, NYCHA house logo and Taskforce on Racial Inclusion & Equity logo
February 2022
Latoya Jordan

The Pandemic & Beyond: The Future of Racial Inclusion & Equity in New York City

In 2020, amid a global pandemic and nationwide civil rights protests, the City launched the Taskforce on Racial Inclusion & Equity to address racial and economic disparities that were worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic in Black communities and other communities of color. The Taskforce strives to improve outcomes by transforming policies, programs, and systems throughout… Continue Reading The Pandemic & Beyond: The Future of Racial Inclusion & Equity in New York City

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Journal-NYCHA Discontinues More Than 31000 Non-payment Cases Reducing Caseload By 90 Percent
February 2022
Latoya Jordan

NYCHA Discontinues Over 31,000 Non-Payment Cases, Reducing Caseload by 90%

On February 3, as part of NYCHA’s effort to re-imagine how it approaches evictions, the Authority announced that 90 percent of the 34,000 rental non-payment cases that existed in housing court as of March 2021 have been resolved without judicial intervention. Moving forward, NYCHA will prioritize cases for accounts that owe significant amounts of arrears… Continue Reading NYCHA Discontinues Over 31,000 Non-Payment Cases, Reducing Caseload by 90%

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woman seated at desk
December 2021Exceptional Colleagues
Latoya Jordan

Making a Difference

Meet Katie Gordon, Deputy Director of Compliance Monitoring  Meet Katie Gordon, Deputy Director of Compliance Monitoring in the Compliance Department. Katie has worked at NYCHA since 2017. She previously worked as a senior analyst in the Authority’s Office of Strategic Innovations before joining the Compliance team. Before coming to NYCHA, she worked at a nonprofit… Continue Reading Making a Difference

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group of people in boiler room
December 2021
Latoya Jordan

Meet the EHS Heating Oversight Team (HOT)

NYCHA’s Environmental Health and Safety Department’s (EHS) Heating Oversight Team (HOT) monitors NYCHA’s compliance with regulations and standards governing heating systems to ensure residents are provided with reliable heat and hot water service. HOT is one of three teams within EHS’ Building Systems Safety Unit tasked with overseeing critical building functions (the other teams oversee… Continue Reading Meet the EHS Heating Oversight Team (HOT)

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woman seated at desk
December 2021Exceptional Colleagues
Latoya Jordan

Meet Mildred Aviles, Housing Manager at Rutgers Houses

We’re periodically featuring the female property managers who help NYCHA carry out its mission to better serve residents and strengthen our partnership with them. NYCHA supports and encourages women in leadership positions in all departments, including property management. Currently, there are 260 women working as property managers at the Authority. In this installment, meet one… Continue Reading Meet Mildred Aviles, Housing Manager at Rutgers Houses

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map of nyc marathon route and 4 photos of people/runners
November 2021
Latoya Jordan

NYCHA Runners Cross the Finish Line at the NYC Marathon

On November 7, more than 25,000 runners crossed the finish line in Central Park at the 50th TCS New York City Marathon. Congratulations are in order to all, including four NYCHA employees – Katherine Cruceta, Kamil Duzynski, Kirsten Jardine, and Keith Sanders – who are also members of NYCHA’s Running Club. Though this year’s marathon… Continue Reading NYCHA Runners Cross the Finish Line at the NYC Marathon

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woman standing in front of desk
Employee VoicesOctober 2021
Latoya Jordan

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage

Meet Elizabeth McCray  Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually from September 15 to October 15 to recognize the achievements, contributions, and culture of Hispanic Americans. The month also overlaps with Indigenous People’s Day, which is marked on the second Monday in October to honor Native American people and their cultures.   For NYCHA employee Elizabeth McCray, this overlap in holidays is a reflection of her DNA, family, and culture. Ms. McCray’s mother moved to… Continue Reading Celebrating Hispanic Heritage

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Hispanic Heritage Month
Employee VoicesOctober 2021
Latoya Jordan

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with Food

On September 15, to mark the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month, Capital Projects Division (CPD) employee Franklin Velez organized a special lunch break with Dominican food for his colleagues at Long Island City.  Mr. Velez has been a Staff Analyst in the QA Compliance and Training division of CPD for the past two years, responsible for coordinating training for the department.  He is also a United States Marine Corps veteran, who served in the Iraq War. “In… Continue Reading Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with Food

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woman wearing glasses
Employee VoicesSeptember 2021
Latoya Jordan

Meet Shelisa Reid, Manager of Wyckoff Gardens

As part of a new series, we’re periodically featuring the female property managers who help NYCHA carry out its mission to better serve residents and strengthen our partnership with them. NYCHA supports and encourages women in leadership positions in all departments, including property management. Currently, there are 260 women working as property managers at the… Continue Reading Meet Shelisa Reid, Manager of Wyckoff Gardens

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woman in green shirt shows a man a flyer
August 2021
Latoya Jordan

NYCHA’s City Cleanup Corps Workers are a Bonus to the Authority

Ever since they were hired at NYCHA, City Cleanup Corps staff members have been an asset to the Authority, working hard to keep developments clean inside and outside, maintaining playgrounds, assisting with pest control, conducting resident education and outreach, and helping Resident Associations with various projects. NYCHA is one of 10 City agencies participating in… Continue Reading NYCHA’s City Cleanup Corps Workers are a Bonus to the Authority

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man holds smartphone up to take a photo of water stain on ceiling
July 2021
Latoya Jordan

Keeping Residents Safe with Lead Paint Inspections

Lead paint inspections and assessments are required by law and are important so we can create safer and healthier homes for NYCHA residents, especially the Authority’s youngest residents (who are most susceptible to the health effects of lead).  A visual assessment is one way NYCHA determines if there is lead paint and lead-based paint hazards in apartments. During a visual assessment, staff look for… Continue Reading Keeping Residents Safe with Lead Paint Inspections

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Baychester Building Exterior After
July 2021
Latoya Jordan

NYCHA Named Finalist for Development Award

Two of NYCHA’s real estate development projects were recently named finalists for the ULI New York Awards for Excellence in Development. Urban Land Institute (ULI) is an international organization of real estate and urban development professionals. Every year, the Awards for Excellence in Development recognizes development projects throughout New York State that best demonstrate the… Continue Reading NYCHA Named Finalist for Development Award

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woman
Employee VoicesJune 2021
Latoya Jordan

Meet Verna Ferguson, Administrative Housing Superintendent, Emergency Services Department

June is National Pride Month, which commemorates the 1969 Stonewall uprising and recognizes the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) people have made and continue to make on American history. In honor of Pride Month, we’re highlighting the work of NYCHA’s LGBTQ+ employees.   Verna Ferguson joined NYCHA in 1985 through a youth training program.… Continue Reading Meet Verna Ferguson, Administrative Housing Superintendent, Emergency Services Department

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Text: First Members of NYCHA's Resident Roundtable Announced
Blueprint for ChangeJune 2021
Latoya Jordan

First Members of Resident Roundtable Announced

Thirty-two NYCHA residents were recently chosen as the first members of the Resident Roundtable, a new committee that ensures residents continue to play an important role in NYCHA’s Transformation Plan, where they will provide valuable feedback and recommendations to implement the plan.  The Citywide Council of Presidents (CCOP), the official citywide NYCHA resident organization, appointed five residents to the Roundtable and the remaining positions… Continue Reading First Members of Resident Roundtable Announced

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collage of women's faces with text: Celebrating the Women of CPD
May 2021
Latoya Jordan

Celebrating the Women of CPD

The construction, engineering, and architecture industries are known for being primarily male-dominated, though more women are taking on roles at every level each year. NYCHA’s Capital Projects Division (CPD), responsible for managing over $1 billion in construction projects, recently held a virtual event to celebrate and acknowledge the women of the division.  The event was organized by Claudette Morris, Director of Analysis… Continue Reading Celebrating the Women of CPD

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COVID-19May 2021
Latoya Jordan

NYCHA Brings Vaccination Sites to Residents

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… Continue Reading NYCHA Brings Vaccination Sites to Residents

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graphic of people in windows. Text: Isaacs Center invites you to join a virtual celebration of Black History Month
February 2021
Latoya Jordan

Isaacs Center Virtual Black History Month Celebration

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… Continue Reading Isaacs Center Virtual Black History Month Celebration

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Fulton Houses art
February 2021
Latoya Jordan

Public Art Project on View at Fulton and Chelsea-Elliott Houses

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… Continue Reading Public Art Project on View at Fulton and Chelsea-Elliott Houses

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February 2021
Latoya Jordan

Helping to Grow Profitable Businesses for 55 Years

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… Continue Reading Helping to Grow Profitable Businesses for 55 Years

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two women and text: East Harlem Community Health Worker Training Pilot Program
January 2021
Latoya Jordan

Training Residents to Take Care of Their Community’s Health

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… Continue Reading Training Residents to Take Care of Their Community’s Health

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January 2021
Latoya Jordan

Spreading Holiday Cheer Through Holiday Meals

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;… Continue Reading Spreading Holiday Cheer Through Holiday Meals

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A Blueprint for Change
Blueprint for ChangeDecember 2020
Latoya Jordan

Residents and Stakeholders Provide Comments on NYCHA’s Transformation Plan

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… Continue Reading Residents and Stakeholders Provide Comments on NYCHA’s Transformation Plan

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woman wearing face mask
COVID-19December 2020
Latoya Jordan

Helping Feed NYCHA Residents During the Pandemic

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… Continue Reading Helping Feed NYCHA Residents During the Pandemic

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Screenshot of group of people
October 2020
Latoya Jordan

NYCHA’s Sandy Work Spotlighted in Resiliency Forum

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… Continue Reading NYCHA’s Sandy Work Spotlighted in Resiliency Forum

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Sideya Sherman
August 2020
Latoya Jordan

Sideya Sherman Leads City’s Racial Inclusion and Equity Taskforce

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… Continue Reading Sideya Sherman Leads City’s Racial Inclusion and Equity Taskforce

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April 2020
Latoya Jordan

Kudos to the MRST Team

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… Continue Reading Kudos to the MRST Team

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Kudos to Luis Hernandez, Property Maintenance Superintendent, and Shaquana Ramirez, Assistant Superintendent of Buildings
April 2020COVID-19
Latoya Jordan

Celebrating NYCHA Heroes: Redfern Houses

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… Continue Reading Celebrating NYCHA Heroes: Redfern Houses

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April 2020COVID-19
Latoya Jordan

Going Above and Beyond: Gerard Wheeler

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… Continue Reading Going Above and Beyond: Gerard Wheeler

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FeaturedOctober 2018
Latoya Jordan

Customer Service Week 2018: Exceeding Expectations

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. As… Continue Reading Customer Service Week 2018: Exceeding Expectations

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June 2016
Latoya Jordan

Senior Leadership Meeting Focuses on Accountability

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… Continue Reading Senior Leadership Meeting Focuses on Accountability

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June 2016
Latoya Jordan

Outstanding Caretakers Honored at DeCarlo Awards

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… Continue Reading Outstanding Caretakers Honored at DeCarlo Awards

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June 2016
Latoya Jordan

Heating Dashboard Provides Metrics for Success

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,… Continue Reading Heating Dashboard Provides Metrics for Success

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June 2016News to Use
Latoya Jordan

Former Housing Police Meet to Remember

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… Continue Reading Former Housing Police Meet to Remember

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June 2016NYCHA Notes
Latoya Jordan

State Safety Law Protects NYCHA Workers

Like 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… Continue Reading State Safety Law Protects NYCHA Workers

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June 2016
Latoya Jordan

The Impact of Business Improvement Redesign

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… Continue Reading The Impact of Business Improvement Redesign

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June 2016
Latoya Jordan

Elevator Safety Campaign Raises Residents’ Awareness

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… Continue Reading Elevator Safety Campaign Raises Residents’ Awareness

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June 2016News to Use
Latoya Jordan

Retiring within the Next Six Months?

Employees 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… Continue Reading Retiring within the Next Six Months?

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May 2016NYCHA Notes
Latoya Jordan

NYCHA Notes

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… Continue Reading NYCHA Notes

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May 2016
Latoya Jordan

FlexOps Model to Launch This Summer

Chair 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… Continue Reading FlexOps Model to Launch This Summer

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May 2016
Latoya Jordan

NYCHA Extends Business Opportunities to All New Yorkers

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… Continue Reading NYCHA Extends Business Opportunities to All New Yorkers

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May 2016
Latoya Jordan

Careers in Construction Resource Fair

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… Continue Reading Careers in Construction Resource Fair

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May 2016
Latoya Jordan

Single-Sex Facility Access Policy Provides Equal Rights Protections

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… Continue Reading Single-Sex Facility Access Policy Provides Equal Rights Protections

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May 2016
Latoya Jordan

NYCHA Wastes No Time Preparing to Meet Recycling Goals

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… Continue Reading NYCHA Wastes No Time Preparing to Meet Recycling Goals

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May 2016
Latoya Jordan

NYCHA Recognized as Leader in Information Technology

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… Continue Reading NYCHA Recognized as Leader in Information Technology

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May 2016
Latoya Jordan

“I Am NextGen” Honorees Personify NYCHA’s Commitment to Service

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… Continue Reading “I Am NextGen” Honorees Personify NYCHA’s Commitment to Service

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May 2016News to Use
Latoya Jordan

NYCHA-CUNY Resident Scholarship Program

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… Continue Reading NYCHA-CUNY Resident Scholarship Program

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May 2016News to Use
Latoya Jordan

Paid Leave for Free Early Detection Screenings

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… Continue Reading Paid Leave for Free Early Detection Screenings

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May 2016News to Use
Latoya Jordan

Free Early Detection Screenings

Celebrate 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… Continue Reading Free Early Detection Screenings

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April 2016News to Use
Latoya Jordan

Right-Sizing Extends the Benefits of Public Housing to More New Yorkers

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… Continue Reading Right-Sizing Extends the Benefits of Public Housing to More New Yorkers

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April 2016
Latoya Jordan

NYCHA’s NAACP Branch Launches New Campaign

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… Continue Reading NYCHA’s NAACP Branch Launches New Campaign

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April 2016
Latoya Jordan

Hispanic Society Newly Elected Board Members

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… Continue Reading Hispanic Society Newly Elected Board Members

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April 2016News to Use
Latoya Jordan

NYCHA’s First-Ever Sustainability Agenda

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… Continue Reading NYCHA’s First-Ever Sustainability Agenda

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April 2016NYCHA Notes
Latoya Jordan

NextGeneration NYCHA 2016 First Quarter Report

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… Continue Reading NextGeneration NYCHA 2016 First Quarter Report

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April 2016News to Use
Latoya Jordan

Executive Support Staff Train to Plan More Effective Meetings

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… Continue Reading Executive Support Staff Train to Plan More Effective Meetings

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April 2016News to Use
Latoya Jordan

Construction Group’s Quarterly Meeting Stresses Safety

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… Continue Reading Construction Group’s Quarterly Meeting Stresses Safety

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April 2016NYCHA NotesSafeNYCHA
Latoya Jordan

Construction Group Meeting Ends with a Call for Photos!

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… Continue Reading Construction Group Meeting Ends with a Call for Photos!

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April 2016
Latoya Jordan

NYCHA Teamwork Adds REES Referral to Residents’ Self-Service Portal

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… Continue Reading NYCHA Teamwork Adds REES Referral to Residents’ Self-Service Portal

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April 2016
Latoya Jordan

National Retirement Planning Week

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… Continue Reading National Retirement Planning Week

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April 2016NYCHA Notes
Latoya Jordan

Training to Support Single-Sex Facility Access Policy

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… Continue Reading Training to Support Single-Sex Facility Access Policy

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April 2015
Latoya Jordan

Staff Changes Support New Strategic Direction

On 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… Continue Reading Staff Changes Support New Strategic Direction

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