NYCHA Chair Shola Olatoye on NY1
On December 5, NYCHA Chair & CEO Shola Olatoye appeared on NY1 to discuss NYCHA’s lead-based paint inspection and remediation program. Watch the interview below:
Read More
Author: Michael Corwin
Think Before You Click
Early this month, a NYCHA employee received a suspicious email and contacted the NYCHA Information Security Hotline at (212) 306-8006. Here’s why the email looked suspicious: The email looked like it came from Dropbox, but there were some unusual markings on the letters ‘r’ and ‘x.’ The employee did not recognize the sender: jandrews@andrewsconverting.com The… MORE
Read More
“The Boss at NYCHA Deserves Support”
The Daily News published an op-ed written by Deborah Wright, formerly a NYCHA Board Member and Commissioner of the City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development, and Kathryn Wylde, President and CEO of the Partnership for New York City, on November 25, 2017: “Lead paint is a serious issue, no question, but the evidence shows… MORE
Read More
A NYCHA Love Story: Longtime Edenwald Residents Celebrate Their 74th Wedding Anniversary
On November 15, 2017, Edenwald residents Charles and Arlanda Solomon will celebrate 74 years of marriage. The couple says the secret to maintaining a loving and lasting marriage is “to be patient, to truly listen to one another, and to always respect each other!” Charles and Arlanda met in 1941 in Washington County, Georgia. Mr. Solomon… MORE
Read More
The Great American Smokeout: Today’s the Day to Quit
Every year in November, the American Cancer Society hosts The Great American Smokeout – a day to encourage smokers to quit or to begin putting a plan in place to quit smoking. For a smoker, cutting out cigarettes is never easy, but there are many resources available to help encourage success. Did you know? Last… MORE
Read More
New Construction to Benefit 1,500 NYCHA Residents
On October 27, NYCHA started construction on a $123 million Recovery to Resiliency project at Redfern Houses in Far Rockaway, Queens. NYCHA will replace all nine of the development’s roofs, install cameras, renovate playgrounds and lighting, and build a new community center that will house a childcare center and full back-up emergency power generators. The project, which… MORE
Read More
Making a Splash
Rasmia Kirmani-Frye, NYCHA’s Director of Public/Private Partnerships and the President of the Fund for Public Housing, was honored for her work to support low-income New Yorkers, including NYCHA residents, by + POOL at the nonprofit organization’s Fall Swim Gala. In 2016, + POOL began offering children living in public housing with free swim lessons through… MORE
Read More
Apply Now for the 2018 Hayes Prize
The annual Frederick O’Reilly Hayes Prize recognizes individual City employees or teams of employees who develop or enhance innovative programs, processes, or technologies that significantly improve service delivery to the public. In partnership with the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), this year the prize will award up to $7,500 to an individual or up… MORE
Read More
REES Recognized for Entrepreneurship & Employment Programs
It wasn’t awards season yet, but REES received back-to-back kudos this past summer and fall. In August, Nan McKay & Associates (NMA) bestowed its 2017 Resident Service Award to REES for the life-changing work of its Food Business Pathways program (read more about the program in a recent NYCHANow article). For more than 35 years,… MORE
Read More
Groundbreaking Legislation Provides Paid Safe Leave to Victims of Violence
On November 6, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed legislation that expands paid leave to domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and trafficking survivors. This new law will allow the nearly 3 million New Yorkers eligible for paid leave to attend to immediate safety needs without fear of penalty or loss of income. “No New Yorker should… MORE
Read More
Holiday Volunteering
Dear Colleagues, We need your assistance! There are gas outages at some of our developments, and service will not be restored by Thanksgiving. To ensure that our residents enjoy a holiday meal, we are delivering meals to them. In addition, we will also be hosting a toy drive for the families impacted by the gas outages. In… MORE
Read More
Lending a Hand to Americans in Need
J.A. Stakenburg, Director of NYCHA’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM), spent 15 days in Puerto Rico to help the island recover from the catastrophic destruction of Hurricane Maria. The co-lead and operations section chief of an interagency team sent by the State of New York to assist, Mr. Stakenburg managed the efforts of experts from… MORE
Read More
NYCHA’s Going Solar
NYCHA launched its first large-scale solar program, which will use light and heat from the sun to provide clean, low-cost energy to low- to moderate-income New Yorkers, including public housing residents. The program will also create jobs for NYCHA residents in the growing solar industry. NYCHA is looking for developers to install solar power on… MORE
Read More
Safe, Clean, and Connected: NYCHA Makes Seniors Comfortable
I moved into Wise Towers when my wife and I got married in 1972, and 45 years later I still call it home. I raised three daughters in this wonderful community. From the day we opened the door to our new apartment, Wise Towers offered the best of New York City. Neighbors from all walks… MORE
Read More
Celebrating Diwali
NYCHA’s Asian American Association ushered in Diwali, the ancient Hindu festival of lights, in a lively celebration on October 25 at DC 37 headquarters. General Manager Michael Kelly greeted attendees, noting that he appreciated “the opportunity to reflect on the significance of Diwali, which celebrates the inner light within all of us – the spirit… MORE
Read More
Running Ideas with the Chair
To celebrate NYCHA’s Brooklyn developments, Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye, Fund for Public Housing President Rasmia Kirmani-Frye, other NYCHA staff, NYCHA Youth Leadership Council participants, and community members kicked off the first annual NYCHA Fun Run with a spirited jog from Howard Houses to Armstrong Houses on October 27. Start training now for the next… MORE
Read More
New Jobs Plus Center Builds Futures for Penn-Wortman Residents
When Sherwin Darden, a Penn-Wortman Houses resident, walked into the new Jobs Plus Center in his neighborhood, he didn’t have a Social Security card, government identification, or health care, let alone a job. Now he’s got all of those, and he’s helping his neighbors too. He’s been hired by the center to be a community coach… MORE
Read More
Gotham Gazette: De Blasio’s Record on NYCHA
Despite steadily shrinking federal support for public housing, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) has made significant gains in public safety and in balancing its annual operating budget under Mayor Bill de Blasio, who is up for reelection on Tuesday. His support for NYCHA, where about half a million low-income New Yorkers live, has… MORE
Read More
NYCHA Changemakers: Putting Our Core Values to Work
As part of NYCHA’s celebration of Customer Service Week, an email from Mayor Bill de Blasio introduced the new Changemakers campaign. “As NYCHA’s Customer Service Week comes to a close, I am proud to announce the launch of the NYCHA Changemakers campaign, which showcases NYCHA employees who are guided by NYCHA’s core values to create… MORE
Read More
Customer Service Week Shines a Light on NYCHA’s Core Values
In light of Customer Service Week, the Employee Engagement Committee’s (EEC) October meeting focused on the service we offer to residents and other stakeholders. EEC members discussed instances where good customer service reinforced our core values as well as some cases where poor customer service detracted from them. We examined how we can continue improving… MORE
Read More
NYCHA Tech Pilots Winners Announced
Seven technology startup companies are the winners of the first-ever NYCHA Tech Pilots, a real estate technology competition to find new and creative solutions to strengthen and modernize public housing. The winners are: BlocPower, Carbon Lighthouse, Enertiv, hOM, Numina, Pansofik, and Radiator Labs. NYCHA Tech Pilots was launched by the Fund for Public Housing, a nonprofit dedicated to investing in NYCHA residents… MORE
Read More
Building Bonds of Trust
James Scanlon, Vice President, Capital Projects/Planning and Design: On October 19, several staff members from the Capital Planning Group in Capital Projects accompanied me on a site visit to Rutgers Houses to spend time with frontline staff and to acknowledge Customer Service Week. We were greeted professionally and enthusiastically by the management office staff, including… MORE
Read More
Good Service Comes in 34 Languages
NYCHA’s Language Bank Volunteers provide language assistance to the Authority’s limited English proficient residents, applicants, and Section 8 voucher holders, ensuring they have access to information and resources in their original languages. On October 20, 2017, these employee-volunteers were recognized for their service. NYCHA’s Language Bank began in 1990 with 44 employee-volunteers who spoke eight… MORE
Read More
Pomonok Houses Builds a Playground
On November 4, volunteers transformed an unused recreational area at Pomonok Houses in Queens into a safe, fun, beautiful playground. It took just six hours for residents, neighbors, and volunteers from NYCHA, KaBOOM!, Playworld, and JetBlue to pour and lay concrete, paint a basketball court and playground floors, and assemble playground equipment to build a… MORE
Read More
City Hall in Your Borough: Manhattan
NYCHA joined Mayor Bill de Blasio for “City Hall in Your Borough: Manhattan,” from September 25 to 29, spending the week focused on the needs and concerns of Manhattan residents. This was the fourth borough in the Mayor’s City Hall in Your Borough initiative. September 25 NYCHA Chair & CEO Shola Olatoye and Council Member… MORE
Read More
Round the Clock Caretakers Improve Service and Customer Satisfaction
As part of NYCHA’s efforts to improve customer service, the Authority is piloting a live-in caretaker program at three senior developments in the Bronx: Boston Road Plaza, Middletown Plaza, and Twin Parks East. The live-in caretaker performs janitorial and maintenance work in the developments during regular business hours. As a resident of the development, he… MORE
Read More
Cyber Security Awareness Month: Tips of the Week
As National Cyber Security Awareness Month comes to a close, here are the final tips of the week, as well as information about a valuable scholarship opportunity for current college students: Tips of the Week: Share with Care & Keep a Clean Machine Share with care. Think before posting about yourself and others online. Once… MORE
Read More
How Dreams Are Made
NYCHA’s Food Business Pathways (FBP) program might just be responsible for the next Sylvia Woods, “The Queen of Soul Food” and founder of the famed Sylvia’s Restaurant in Harlem. FBP is a collaboration between NYCHA’s Office of Resident Economic Empowerment & Sustainability (REES), NYC Department of Small Business Services, Citi Community Development, Hot Bread Kitchen, Start… MORE
Read More
Calling All NYCHA Actors!
Calling all NYCHA residents who love acting! The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute is offering two 12-week acting scholarships to qualified residents of the New York City Housing Authority. To participate, you must be at least 6 years of age and must audition and be interviewed. From October 31, 2017, to January 12, 2018, auditions will… MORE
Read More
Tech Connect
On October 18, NYCHA Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye was honored by Coalition for Queens (C4Q), a non-profit that is partnering with NYCHA to connect residents to job opportunities in the tech industry, at the organization’s fifth annual gala, Tech Bash. “A critical part of our NextGen NYCHA strategic plan is to connect residents to… MORE
Read More
NYC Center to Open to Help Families Displaced by Hurricanes
Many individuals and families displaced by the recent hurricanes in Puerto Rico, Texas, Florida, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and other Caribbean islands have relocated to New York City to stay with family and friends. To connect these individuals and families to resources, the City has opened a service center to provide information and assistance to… MORE
Read More
Cyber Security Awareness Month: Tip of the Week
How much do your “smart” devices know about you? These days our cars, fitness trackers, refrigerators, thermostats, and coffee makers can be connected to the internet and controlled through mobile apps. While “smart” technologies make our lives easier, they present new security risks. Limited privacy controls on internet-connected devices and apps may leave sensitive personal… MORE
Read More
Customer Service Week Tip: Plan better meetings with POSDA!
We all spend a lot of time in meetings, so it’s critical that we use that time wisely. In keeping with our NextGeneration NYCHA goal to become a more efficient organization, we’re continually looking for new tools to improve collaboration, which is what meetings are all about. POSDA is a framework for planning and facilitating… MORE
Read More
The NYCHA Journal Is Going Digital!
Dear Colleagues, Exciting news! The NYCHA Journal has gone digital. Available anytime, anywhere; on your tablet or phone, the new Journal allows you to share stories with friends and on social media, like this new story on the continuing success of our RAD program. The digital Journal is another change inspired by our NextGeneration NYCHA vision of safe, clean, and connected communities. We’re… MORE
Read More
New CCC Features
Residents can call the Customer Contact Center (CCC) at 718-707-7771, push a few buttons, and automatically get help for a whole list of problems: toilet stoppages, plumbing leaks, malfunctioning refrigerators, pest infestations, broken lights, broken locks, electrical issues, and heat and hot water issues.
Read More
October Is National Cyber Security Awareness Month
National Cyber Security Awareness Month is an annual campaign by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to raise awareness about the importance of cyber security. NYCHA will be sharing information to raise awareness about the importance of cyber security, for staying safe online, and for increasing our resiliency in the event of a cyber incident.
Read More
Mayor’s Graduate Scholarship Program
Submit your application now for the Mayor’s Graduate Scholarship Program for the 2018-2019 school year. Last year, more than 80 City employees received full and partial scholarships for graduate study in a variety of fields, including computer science, education, business, and public administration. For application materials and additional information, including participating schools and eligible degree… MORE
Read More
Cyber Security Awareness Month: Tip of the Week
In today’s digital world, IT professionals aren’t the only ones responsible for protecting a company from cyber criminals. Everyone in an organization shares a responsibility to be vigilant about online threats. To help keep NYCHA safe and secure: Beware of phishing emails. Do not open emails, links, or attachments from strangers. Phishing attacks use email… MORE
Read More
It’s Fire Prevention Week
In a fire, seconds count. Just a few seconds can determine whether you can safely escape from a fire or tragedy. Take a moment to review these vital safety tips: Draw a map of your home with all members of your household, marking two exits from each room and a path to the outside from… MORE
Read More
Adapting to Change
NYCHA Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye kicked off the Fall Leadership Meeting, a daylong convening of 200 senior staff, with an inspiring quote from the writer James Baldwin: “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” The October 3 event was held in an auditorium at… MORE
Read More
Cyber Security Awareness Month Tip of the Week
One small step can make a big difference in your online security. Each week during National Cyber Security Awareness Month, we’re sharing a quick and easy tip that you can try today to better protect yourself online. Tip of the Week: Lock down your login. Usernames and passwords are often not enough to protect important… MORE
Read More
New Floor-Cleaning Machines Promote Efficiency in Building Maintenance
Janitorial staff at Ingersoll Houses spent a day learning how to use new floor-cleaning machines that will save them hours of labor. NYCHA plans to buy over 1,000 machines so that all NYCHA developments have access to this time-saving equipment. All janitorial staff will be trained on how to use the machines by the end… MORE
Read More
Seeking Success through Collaboration and Accountability
On September 13, Employee Engagement Committee (EEC) members met to discuss how we personify NYCHA’s core values in our daily work lives. One group’s conversation centered on what it means to be “a collaborative workforce, accountable to ourselves and to our residents.” It was fitting that during this discussion we were joined by the leadership… MORE
Read More
A NYCHA Author’s Dream Comes True
On October 9, 2017, I had the privilege and once-in-a lifetime opportunity to be honored at the 73rd Columbus Day Parade – the largest celebration of Italian-American heritage and culture in the United States – for my memoir, “Deformed: My Remarkable Life.” The parade’s Grand Marshal, Leonard Riggio, Founder and Chairman of Barnes & Noble,… MORE
Read More
National Preparedness Month: Get Tech Ready
Technology – smartphones, flash drives, electronic banking – can help keep you and your family safe before, during, and after emergencies. Here’s how: Stay Informed Install the FEMA App on your mobile device to get weather alerts and other vital information. Sign up for Notify NYC to receive emergency alerts from the City. Follow the… MORE
Read More
Flu Season Is Just Around the Corner!
Flu season is just around the corner! Getting your flu shot is the best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu and its complications. WorkWell NYC offers free flu shots for all City employees, dependents, and retirees. Worksite flu clinics provide employees with a quick, convenient, and effective way to protect themselves… MORE
Read More
Fund for Public Housing: Crowdsourcing for Sustainability Projects
The Fund for Public Housing, a nonprofit established last year to supplement the New York City Housing Authority’s finances and services, launched an online platform this week in conjunction with ioby, a crowdfunding website, to enable NYCHA residents and community-based organizations to source funds for local sustainability initiatives like rooftop gardens and water conservation. The online portal, called Ideas… MORE
Read More
A Message from the Chair on Disaster Relief
Dear Colleagues, Our hearts break for the residents of Puerto Rico who are working to recover from the devastating impact of Hurricane Maria. Many of our colleagues and residents have family and loved ones who live on the island. Residents of other Caribbean countries, including Dominica, Barbuda, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Dominican Republic,… MORE
Read More
“We Build Resilience by Being Prepared.”
With hurricane season in full swing, NYCHANow spoke to J.A. Stakenburg, who was hired a year ago to helm NYCHA’s newly revamped Office of Emergency Management (OEM), about employees’ roles and responsibilities when it comes to emergencies. This seems to be a very active hurricane season. What should NYCHA employees know about being prepared for… MORE
Read More
National Preparedness Month: Financial Preparedness
Having access to financial, insurance, medical, and other records is crucial for recovering quickly and efficiently from a disaster or other emergency. Take these steps to safeguard your records and get some peace of mind, even in an emergency: Collect and secure critical personal and household information and records now, before an emergency. Consider saving… MORE
Read More
Happy 50th to Williams Plaza’s Resident Association!
Regional Administrator for HUD Region II Lynne Patton (center, in black suit) celebrated the 50th anniversary of Williams Plaza’s resident association with RA President Joel Gross (second from left), RA Vice President Ben Zion Weiss (far left), Captain Daniel Dooley of NYPD Police Service Area 3 (second from right), and supporters on September 14.
Read More
Continuing the National Conversation on Public Housing
On September 8, NYCHA Chair & CEO Shola Olatoye was in Washington with New York Congressman Adriano Espaillat (not pictured), New York Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, Florida Congressman Darren Soto, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus’ meeting to discuss public housing funding.
Read More
National Preparedness Month: What Seniors Should Know
Seniors may be especially vulnerable in emergencies. Here are some tips to help them get prepared and stay safe. Stay on Top of the News Tune in to local TV and radio stations for emergency information, including severe weather forecasts, as well as evacuation instructions. Download the FEMA App to get weather alerts and other… MORE
Read More
A View of the Future
On the day after Labor Day, NYCHA “broke ground” on a $63 million project to replace all 28 roofs at Red Hook Houses (East and West), which will benefit more than 6,000 residents. It’s the first phase of a nearly $550 million investment in the development as part of NYCHA’s Sandy recovery and resiliency program.… MORE
Read More
Celebrating the 2017 NYCHA-CUNY Scholars
On September 20, NYCHA and the City University of New York (CUNY) celebrated 23 residents for their academic excellence, leadership, and contributions to their communities at the 12th annual NYCHA-CUNY Resident Scholarship Program awards ceremony, held at Borough of Manhattan Community College. The NYCHA-CUNY Resident Scholarship is awarded to residents in full-time CUNY programs with… MORE
Read More
September Is “NextGen Recert Month”
Check this NextGen NYCHA goal off the list: As of September 1, every NYCHA resident has the option to complete their annual recertification online. By modernizing and digitizing the process – required by HUD for federal funding and cumbersome to complete on paper – NYCHA has streamlined the experience for both employees and residents. Residents… MORE
Read More
Learn about the CUNY/DCAS Public Administration Program
For nearly a decade, the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) and CUNY’s Murphy Institute have partnered with participating unions to provide City employees with the CUNY/DCAS Public Administration program, for both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Whether you are interested in advancing your career, debating new ideas, or preparing to become a leader in… MORE
Read More
Visit NYCHANow’s New Video Section!
Click here or on “Videos” at the top of the NYCHANow homepage for the latest NYCHA news in action.
Read More
Good Morning, Coney Island!
On August 18, General Manager Michael Kelly visited several developments in Coney Island (Carey Gardens, Gravesend Houses, and O’Dwyer Gardens) to talk shop with staff and residents. In the photo above, GM Kelly met with O’Dwyer Caretakers Jean Velazquez (left) and Cecilia Rivera.
Read More
Preserving and Protecting a Positive Work Culture
How is long-term preservation of a culture achieved? What if the people within a culture did not know its history and did not share its overall goals and values? One of the objectives of the Employee Engagement Committee (EEC) is to help promote NYCHA’s amazing organizational culture by sharing its history and core values with… MORE
Read More
Top Marks for Section 8
For the second year in a row, NYCHA’s Section 8 program – the largest in the nation – has been recognized for outstanding performance by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Each year, HUD reviews every public housing authority’s Section 8 program through the Section 8 Management Assessment Program. In 2015, NYCHA… MORE
Read More
National Preparedness Month
In the event of an emergency, every person in your household needs to have a bag packed and ready to go. Go Bags (sturdy, easy-to-carry bags like a backpack or small suitcase on wheels) should contain what you’ll need if you have to leave your home in a hurry. Here’s a list of essentials: Copies… MORE
Read More
Are You Ready?
September is National Preparedness Month, a month-long initiative that serves as a reminder to take action to prepare, now and throughout the year, for the types of emergencies that could affect us where we live, work, learn, and worship. It’s important that you know what to do to prepare yourself and your family BEFORE a… MORE
Read More
A Green Call to Action
Robert White, a Red Hook Houses resident and member of NYCHA’s Sandy recovery and resilience community outreach team, introduced Mayor Bill de Blasio at a press conference about the City’s efforts to combat climate change. “For the longest time, I didn’t believe in climate change,” Mr. White told attendees from a podium in Brooklyn Bridge… MORE
Read More
In Memory of Thomas Johnston
Thomas Johnston started his NYCHA career in 1994 and rose through the ranks to become a deputy director in the Bronx Property Management Department. With two brothers and a father who were also Authority employees, he came from a true-blue NYCHA family. Mr. Johnston passed away from cancer in May. At Claremont Consolidated’s Family Day… MORE
Read More
Staying Ahead of the Risks
Over the next year, NYCHA’s IT Department will roll out a state-of-the-art security awareness training program proven to reduce phishing attacks and malware infections by up to 90 percent. Through quizzes, mock phishing attacks, and interactive training, employees will learn how to better handle this growing menace to help keep NYCHA, and themselves, more secure.… MORE
Read More
City Hall in Your Borough
NYCHA joined Mayor Bill de Blasio for “City Hall in Your Borough” in Queens from July 17 to 21. “As one of the most diverse places on the planet, Queens is a fitting place to celebrate the diversity and strength that NYCHA brings to our city,” said Chair Shola Olatoye. On July 18, NYCHA participated… MORE
Read More
Tech 51 Program Brings IT Training to Residents
Move over Silicon Valley, here comes NYCHA! On August 15, City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito announced a pilot program that will train NYCHA residents in IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and software development. The Speaker allocated funding to NYCHA to hire an Outreach Specialist who will identify NYCHA residents to receive extensive IT training and then be… MORE
Read More
City Focuses Resources on Pest Problem
Mayor Bill de Blasio plans to tackle the city’s biggest pest problem – rats – through a new $32 million, multi-agency initiative to reduce the rat population in three of the most infested areas: the Grand Concourse area, Chinatown/East Village/Lower East Side, and Bushwick/Bedford-Stuyvesant. Rats contaminate food, spread diseases, and impact quality of life. Their… MORE
Read More
An A-Plus for Jobs-Plus
Since it was implemented at NYCHA in 2009, the Jobs-Plus employment program has grown from one site (at Jefferson Houses) to 10 sites serving a total of 27 developments (the newest site is at Pennsylvania Avenue-Wortman Avenue). In that time, it has connected more than 6,700 residents to jobs, thanks to support from program partners… MORE
Read More
A Man of Action
David Rocco is the very definition of an active retiree. Since retiring from NYCHA in 2001, he has assisted with 9/11 rescue and recovery efforts, brought his three-decade blood donation tally to more than 20 gallons, published and exhibited more than a hundred of his photographs, and appeared in The New York Times, PBS, and… MORE
Read More
NYCHA Joins the Push to Destigmatize Mental Health Issues
New York City is in a public health crisis when it comes to mental health. At least one in five New Yorkers is likely to experience a mental health disorder each year, and 41 percent of those with mental illness said they did not receive or were delayed in getting treatment in the past year. To… MORE
Read More
Fun in the Sun
This summer, Chair & CEO Shola Olatoye, General Manager Michael Kelly, and other NYCHA staff have been enjoying Family Day celebrations at developments across the city, along with residents, elected officials, local police officers, and other members of the community. Hosted by resident associations, Family Days offer good food, games, and fun, as well as… MORE
Read More
Preserving, and Making, History
On July 21, the Employee Engagement Committee (EEC) held its monthly meeting at First Houses in Manhattan, the first public housing development in the United States. Designated a New York City and National Historic Landmark, First Houses is located on East 3rd Street. Its warm burgundy brick façade and plum-colored colonial windows welcome residents and… MORE
Read More
Necessity Was the Father of Invention
Inspiration can strike anywhere at any time, but it’s especially likely to arise from pain. “I have a 4-year-old son, and I was always picking up the teething toys that he dropped. My back was hurting, and that gets old! And that’s why Frank Williams, an exterminator in the Queens/Staten Island borough office, came up… MORE
Read More
MAPping Progress
It’s safe to say that few people know more about community safety than Chief Gerald Nelson. Before assuming his role as NYCHA’s Vice President for Public Safety in 2015, he spent more than four decades with the NYPD, starting out as a patrol officer in Police Service Area 3 and rising through the ranks to… MORE
Read More
Top Recyclers
In a June 9 ceremony at the Williamsburg Community Center, NYCHA and nonprofit partner GrowNYC celebrated the exceptional work of Latimer Gardens staff in properly setting out their development’s recyclables. Latimer Gardens met Department of Sanitation pick-up and quality control standards 100 percent of the time. NYCHA’s recycling program was launched in 2015, and now… MORE
Read More
CEP Celebrates a Year of Achievements
This summer, the Community Engagement & Partnerships (CEP) department celebrated its one-year anniversary. Under the leadership of Executive Vice President Sideya Sherman, CEP embodies the NextGen NYCHA mission to engage residents in new and better ways through connections to best-in-class services. CEP was formed following a reorganization of NYCHA’s former Community Programs & Development department.… MORE
Read More
National Night Out
On August 1, NYCHA Chair & CEO Shola Olatoye, General Manager Michael Kelly, and other NYCHA executives celebrated the 34th annual National Night Out with NYCHA residents, NYPD officers, community board representatives, and elected officials at NYCHA developments across the five boroughs. Take a look at some of the festivities here.
Read More
Supporting Seniors’ Needs
Being a caregiver requires tremendous patience and a tireless work ethic. Just like the people they look after, caretakers need support too. The nonprofit Presbyterian Senior Services’ (PSS) Circle of Care program has teamed up with NYCHA to support both caregivers and their senior charges at four NYCHA developments: Saint Nicholas Houses, Sondra Thomas Apartments,… MORE
Read More
A Fair Way to Get Connected
NYCHA staff demonstrated just how seriously we take our NextGen goal of engaging residents in new and different ways at two resource fairs this summer at Hope Gardens and Wise Towers. The fairs provided a fun forum for residents of those and nearby developments to learn directly from staff and NYCHA partners about a range… MORE
Read More
A NYCHA Scribe Puts Down His Pen
“When you cover the news for long enough, you become the news,” declared Associate Staff Analyst (and staff writer) Howard Silver. After 23 years at NYCHA, Mr. Silver retired in June. Born and raised in Nassau County, Long Island, Mr. Silver recognized his passion for writing early on. After studying writing at the University of… MORE
Read More
Running for Fun
On May 29, the NYCHA running team gathered once again for the annual New York City “Corporate Challenge” race, an event solely for corporate runners sponsored by JPMorgan Chase. The 3.5-mile race series is a global celebration of teamwork, camaraderie, and community, and is inclusive, with a 50/50 split of men and women, from entry-level… MORE
Read More
The Future Is in Good Hands with Today’s Youth
On June 8, NYCHA Youth Leadership Councils – groups composed of 14-21-year-old residents dedicated to addressing community concerns and building leadership skills – came together for celebration and education. The Youth Leadership Council (YLC) Summit featured dance performances, spoken word poems, and singing duets, but the focus was on presentations by the Youth Leadership Councils… MORE
Read More
NextGen Computing at NYCHA
Say hello to new, top-of-the-line computers! All NYCHA desktop computers, approximately 3,000 at developments and 3,500 central office computers, will be replaced with new, 23-inch-screen Dell OptiPlex 5040 computers as part of the NextGen Office program. “We are trying to improve how we do things by digitizing and automating more,” said NYCHA Vice President for… MORE
Read More
2017 Jewish Heritage Celebration
Batei Tsibur, the organization of Jewish employees at NYCHA, held its annual Jewish Heritage Celebration on June 29 in the NYCHA Board Room at 250 Broadway. This year’s guest speaker was Assembly Member Dov Hikind, who represents Brooklyn’s 48th District. Assembly Member Hikind is known as an outspoken advocate for his constituency, battling discrimination, anti-Semitism,… MORE
Read More
Bricks and Mortar Meets Silicon Alley
As part of its NextGen work to become a more modern landlord, the Authority is looking to collaborate with some of New York City’s most cutting-edge technology companies. On June 6, NYCHA and the Fund for Public Housing, a nonprofit created to fundraise for the agency and forge public-private partnerships, hosted an event called 2017… MORE
Read More
Thunderstorms 101
It’s summer, and thunderstorm season is here. Though they can be a welcome relief from the heat, thunderstorms can be dangerous. Here are some tips to help ensure your safety this summer: Before a storm: Close windows and blinds Stay inside Unplug any electronic equipment During a storm: Avoid contact with plugged-in electronics and phones… MORE
Read More
Committed to Service
Charisse Jamroz, a Project Manager in Enterprise Technology, has been selected by City & State as one of the 10 veterans the publication has chosen to honor for their continued service to New York City. An active Army reservist since 1991, she is currently assigned to the Soldier Support Institute, where she develops training courses… MORE
Read More
Safety Symposium Puts Eye On Employee Communication
Imagine you are a carpenter at Bay View Houses, and you just removed a splinter-ridden cabinet from an apartment. It’s been a long morning of work, and it’s time for your lunch break. Is it okay to just leave the cabinet on the hopper in the hallway for the time being while you grab a… MORE
Read More
Talking Respect, Efficiency, and Sustainability at the EEC
How important are respect, efficiency, and sustainability to you in your everyday life? It’s safe to assume that your answer lies somewhere between “very important” and “absolutely vital.” Now consider that the people we serve and serve with would say the same. That’s why these values comprise NYCHA’s first two core values (see below), and… MORE
Read More
Know What to Do
We all share the responsibility for safeguarding NYCHA from phishing and other cyber-attacks. Do you know what to do to prevent a malicious attack from infecting your computer and other devices? Test your readiness to handle a phishing or ransomware emergency by taking a quiz via the launch button below. If you are suspicious about… MORE
Read More
Creating Safe, Clean, and Connected Communities with Tracy Lovelace
Tracy Lovelace is the coordinator of the Resident Watch program in Brooklyn. For more than 40 years, thousands of residents have volunteered their time as Resident Watch members, patrolling their developments and fostering safety, security, and community pride in collaboration with property management staff. What is your role in making NYCHA communities safer? We recruit… MORE
Read More
Preparing for a Hurricane
Hurricanes are among nature’s most powerful and destructive phenomena. Many NYCHA residents are familiar with this fact: Nearly five years later, we are still recovering from the damage inflicted by Hurricane Sandy, the second-costliest hurricane in United States history. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, forecasters predict a 45 percent chance of an… MORE
Read More
Say Hello to the Employee Engagement Committee
Employee engagement is not measured by how happy or satisfied you are with your job. It is the emotional and functional commitment employees make to their employer and its goals. Ask yourself these questions: Do I have a clear understanding of how NYCHA fulfills its mission and how my work contributes to its success? Do… MORE
Read More
Vishing Is the New Phishing
Watch out for telephone scams—don’t be a victim of a VISHING attack. A vishing (“voice phishing”) scam is when an attacker contacts you by phone pretending to be from a trusted organization, such as the IT support department or your bank. The caller might say that they need access to your computer in order to… MORE
Read More
NYCHA’s Comprehensive Mold Remediation Pilot
NYCHA launched a new pilot program to fight mold at 38 developments throughout the city on May 1, 2017. The year-long pilot, called Mold Busters, aggressively combats mold by empowering front-line staff with new training, tools, and protocols to permanently fix the source of the problem. Developed in consultation with mold treatment experts, the program… MORE
Read More
Lessons on Leadership from Rudy Crew
NYCHA held its 10th Senior Leadership Meeting at the Brooklyn Law School on May 5. The theme of the quarterly forum was “Don’t Waste a Crisis: Manage Your Risk.” A highlight of the meeting was an interview by Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye with Dr. Rudolph F. “Rudy” Crew, New York City Schools Chancellor under… MORE
Read More
Safety: A Call to Action
NYCHA’s safety program has now been in effect for four years. In that time, much has been accomplished: Every property management department has its own safety congress that meets once a month; most developments and skilled trades have identified a safety associate; “Make It Safe” activations are taking place; numerous safety-related standard procedures have been… MORE
Read More
Congratulations on the Following Appointments and Promotions
Kathie Soroka, formerly Senior Counsel to the General Counsel at HUD, was appointed Vice President for Real Estate Development in April 2017. Responsible for implementation of NYCHA’s real estate development strategy as outlined in NextGeneration NYCHA, Ms. Soroka oversees the management of development opportunities on vacant and underutilized NYCHA-owned land and the preservation of NYCHA’s… MORE
Read More