At Butler Houses in the Bronx, household garbage left in the entranceways and on the sidewalk had become a major problem. Thanks to the joint efforts of two NYPD Officers and Public Service Area (PSA) 7, Butler’s resident association, and residents, the development’s entrances are now cleaner and more welcoming for residents and their guests.… MORE
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NYCHA is proud to launch Love Where You Live, a campaign to encourage residents to work together with the Authority to make their developments cleaner and safer places, where residents are proud to live and employees are proud to work. Residents can take actions big and small, such as disposing of household trash and bulk… MORE
Read moreAll NYCHA-issued employee parking permits will expire on December 31, 2016. Please submit your renewal request by November 28, 2016, to ensure that the new permit arrives before the expiration date. Employees who recently received permits with the expiration date of December 31, 2018, will not have to renew for this cycle. Employee parking permits… MORE
Read moreThe Information Technology Department is pleased to announce the release of the IT Knowledge Base, an online repository where you can find helpful information about the following: • Siebel (for ATAD and Leased Housing, Property Management, Customer Contact Center, REES, and Emergency Services); • Maximo (for development staff , Emergency Services, Tech Services, Elevator Services,… MORE
Read moreThis year’s application filing period for the Automated Transfer List System (ATLS) for employees in Teamsters-represented titles will end on December 9, 2016. Once a year, eligible employees are allowed to select up to six locations in ATLS to which they would like to transfer. Human Resources’ Employment Division implements the lateral transfers by accessing… MORE
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The following information is from the NYC Office of Labor Relations Employee Benefits Program website at www.nyc.gov/olr. The New York City Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP), which consists of a 457 and 401(k) Plan, allows you to set aside pre-tax and after-tax (Roth) savings through easy payroll deductions. Experts advise that you will need from 80… MORE
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A report recently issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) shows that the Rental Assistance Demonstration program (RAD) is on track nationally to accomplish its goal of attracting substantial new capital to stabilize the physical and financial conditions of public housing properties. Authorized by Congress in 2012, RAD allows public housing… MORE
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Nicole Ferreira, formerly Vice President for Real Estate Development, was promoted to Executive Vice President for Real Estate. As a leader of the senior team, Ms. Ferreira oversees the Real Estate Development Department, leading the team to execute NextGeneration NYCHA strategic initiatives for both the preservation and new construction of affordable housing. She also oversees… MORE
Read moreThis fall, New Yorkers will make history. We will help elect the next president of the United States as well as our representatives in Congress and in the state legislature in Albany. The decisions we make as voters can help to shape the course our lives will take for years to come. Tuesday, November 8… MORE
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Many central office employees took advantage of IDNYC pop-up events held at 250 Broadway during the week of October 3. More than 450 applications for the City’s government-issued identification card were processed by NYC Human Resources Administration staff. IDNYC provides free one-year membership at 33 of the City’s leading cultural institutions and much more. To… MORE
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Since childhood, Housing Assistant Ronald Manning has written blogs, notebooks, and journals to express whatever was on his mind. But in 2015, when a close relative was fighting breast cancer, his writing took on a new urgency. “I was having a hard time coping,” said Mr. Manning, who has fought anxiety and depression since childhood.… MORE
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Chair Shola Olatoye conducted a candid and informative interview with former NYC Schools Chancellor and former Woodside Houses resident Joel Klein at the Quarterly Senior Leadership Meeting at Brooklyn Law School on September 30.
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The Office of Intergovernmental Relations hosted the eighth installment of its NextGeneration NYCHA Webinar Series on September 28 with a lunchtime presentation by Vice President for Leased Housing Lakesha Miller and Leased Housing Department (LHD) Director Robert Tesoriero on NYCHA’s Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8). Ms. Miller provided background information on NYCHA’s federally funded… MORE
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NYCHANow continues its “employee voices” series featuring articles by employees about initiatives and events that they know best. To submit an article about a project in your department, please contact NYCHANow. We want to hear from you! On September 1, 2016, 14,000 NYCHA residents in 54 developments who were up for re-certification were invited to… MORE
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The Office of Safety and Security (OFSS) has four units. What are some recent accomplishments or goals for each? Our Security Unit is responsible for credentialing of employees and others at layered access control (LAC) developments and also provides access control and response at central office and walk-in locations. The expansion of our role in… MORE
Read moreA strong password is one of the key digital defenses anyone can use and should be at least 12 characters long. Administrative or elevated access may require a longer password. Your password should be one that you do not have to write down to remember. An easy-to-remember password is a simple sentence. Most sentences are… MORE
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NYCHA brings outstanding employees, residents and other stakeholders to the attention of the public through its popular “I Am NextGen” campaign. Please meet Consultant Kim Maxwell, who drives one of NYCHA’s Digital Vans, bringing internet access and technical assistance that connect residents to opportunities. What kind of equipment is in the mobile Digital Vans? In… MORE
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To help you get ready for Customer Service Week (Oct. 24-28), here are a few tips to enhance the service you provide. 1) R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Treat everyone with respect! Courtesy, a sincere smile, and your undivided attention go a long way toward a positive customer service outcome. 2) Acknowledge customers’ concerns: Some customers are not happy… MORE
Read moreThe Department of Investigation (DOI) released the findings of their investigation into NYCHA’s compliance with our safety inspection protocols. The report states that property management staff failed to properly conduct six key apartment safety checks including testing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. The investigation also found that NYCHA staff often falsely reported that they had… MORE
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The hurricane season for the Atlantic Ocean runs from June 1 through November 30 but October is traditionally the most active hurricane month for New York City and surrounding areas. • Register for Notify NYC. Enroll online at notify.nyc to receive official City information! Notify NYC sends out alerts and updates regarding emergencies, significant events,… MORE
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Fernando Montejo, former advisor to the EVP for Administration, joined NYCHA directly following his volunteer service here through Civic Corps. Before long, he reached the level of Advisor to the General Manager. After dealing with the complex problems facing a major municipal agency, Fernando realized that he wanted to continue his education with a graduate… MORE
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It’s been a busy year for Capital Projects’ City Capital group, which oversees projects funded by the City Council, the Mayor’s Office and the Manhattan District Attorney. As part of the Mayor’s Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety (MAP), state-of-the-art, energy- efficient LED lighting is being installed at 15 developments, replacing and augmenting outdated lighting, some… MORE
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Deborah Goddard, former Managing Director for Policy and Program Development at MassHousing, was appointed Executive Vice President for Capital Projects in August 2016. She is responsible for leading and directing the activities of NYCHA’s Capital Projects Division, which manages and administers NYCHA’s multi-billion dollar, multi-year capital program committed to preserving and modernizing NYCHA’s public housing… MORE
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During the summer of 2016, 150 “family days” were held at developments across the City. NYCHA partners with resident associations to plan and coordinate the days of summer fun. Most events have barbecues on the grounds along with games, rides and face painting for the children, in addition to planned presentations that may include singing,… MORE
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The City’s seven-week Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), which provided job experience and earnings for almost 900 New York City youth at developments and offices, ended in August. But the encouragement that Grant Houses Supervisor of Grounds Muhammad Watley and his staff gave their young helpers could affect their lives forever. That’s Mr. Watley’s conviction… MORE
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Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye wished the Chinese-American Association’s (CAA) members and friends Chung Chau Ji Fei Lok! or “Happy Mid-Autumn Festival,” at its celebration of the harvest holiday on September 12. One of the most important dates on the Chinese lunar calendar, the festival is sometimes compared to Thanksgiving, with families traveling far to… MORE
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NYCHA writer LaToya Jordan, in the Department of Communications, recently learned that her work was listed among the 100 best essays of the year in the highly regarded anthology “Best American Essays for 2016.” Many readers of The NYCHA Journal have enjoyed Ms. Jordan’s writing without knowing it, since there are no bylines. But when… MORE
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This summer, almost 200 property managers, property management supervisors and assistant supervisors from more than 100 developments attended a two-day energyefficiency training course organized by the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), Building Owners and Managers Association of New York (BOMA), and Urban Green Council. Known as “Sustainability Boot… MORE
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NYCHA continues to bring outstanding employees, residents and other stakeholders to the attention of the public through its popular “I Am NextGen” campaign. Our latest honorees are caretaker Ivan Maestre, whose heroic response to a fire at Claremont Rehab saved a two-week-old baby (see here), and Frank Romano, Chief of Operations in the Energy and… MORE
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Want more independence at work? The next time your computer breaks down or your printer misbehaves, create your own NYCHA Service Desk ticket! No hanging on the line or spending time composing emails. With the self-service feature of the new Service Desk, you are empowered with the option to create your own ticket to report… MORE
Read moreThe NYC Office of Labor Relations offers a variety of financial planning seminars which are presented by Certified Financial Planners. Seminars are available for the below topics. For more information on these seminars or to attend a seminar, you must register at http://www1.nyc.gov/site/olr/financialplanning/financial-planning-seminars.page. Topics include: Basics of Diversified Investing College Planning Deferred Compensation Plan Basics… MORE
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Caretaker Ivan Maestre was honored for rescuing a two-week-old infant and four others from a third-floor blaze at Claremont Rehab in the Bronx on August 2. The ceremony was hosted at the Claremont Community Center on August 10 by New York State Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner, New York City Council Member Vanessa Gibson, and Claremont Tenant… MORE
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Jeffrey Stakenburg, formerly Emergency Manager at the Federal Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), was appointed Director of the Office of Emergency Management in July 2016. Mr. Stakenburg is responsible for coordinating NYCHA’s preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts to minimize disruptions to the Authority’s operations and services in the event of a… MORE
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NYCHA has teamed up with the Office of Emergency Management to merge the existing Resident Watch Program with the City’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), creating a more responsive community-based watch effort that will be an asset not just to NYCHA developments but also to surrounding communities. CERT trains volunteers for different types of disasters,… MORE
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On July 19, Rasmia (“Ras”) Kirmani- Frye, President of the Fund for Public Housing and the Director of NYCHA’s Office of Public/Private Partnerships, participated in a conference sponsored by the New York Times called “Cities for Tomorrow: The Pre-eminent Conference for Urban Decision-Makers.” People value public systems such as police, libraries, parks, and schools but… MORE
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It’s not every day that Chair Shola Olatoye and General Manager Michael Kelly greet employees with coffee and donuts. But the morning of July 5 was a special one—a new pilot program called FlexOps (“flexible operations”) had just launched at 12 consolidated developments in four boroughs. For four months, service hours at these developments are… MORE
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The Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) has announced the 2016 NYC Gives charitable campaign (previously known as the Combined Municipal Campaign). NYC Gives offers City employees an opportunity to contribute, through convenient payroll deductions, to a vetted group of charitable organizations that provide urgently needed services to local, state, national, and international communities. Since… MORE
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The Construction Management Association of America’s (CMAA) New York and New Jersey chapter recognized the Authority for excellence in managing two major renovation projects at NYCHA developments—both of which were completed ahead of schedule—benefiting more than 6,800 residents. The Kingsborough Houses renovation project in Brooklyn, which started in September of 2013 and was expected to… MORE
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The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) presented NYCHA with its prestigious Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its current budget on August 8. The award represents a significant achievement by the Authority, as it reflects the commitment of NYCHA’s leadership and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. Along with the award, a Certificate… MORE
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Millions of people visit New York every year to view great works of art in our City’s world-class museums, yet there are scores of works by great artists throughout the five boroughs on view for free at NYCHA developments. These masters include Heinz Warneke (Harlem River Houses), best known for his iconic sculpture of the… MORE
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Studying architecture for three years and practicing for four did not make me particularly interested in mold prevention or roof flashing for 80-year-old brick buildings. However, these aspects of building science are now priorities in my work as an Enterprise Rose Architectural Fellow within the largest owneroperator of public housing in the nation, the New… MORE
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NYCHA continues to bring outstanding employees, residents and other stakeholders to the attention of the public with its popular “I Am NextGen” campaign. Our latest honoree is Caretaker Roberto Rodriguez, Jr., winner of the 2016 John DeCarlo Memorial Award for Caretakers. Mr. Rodriguez joined NYCHA as a caretaker in 2008 and was runner-up for the… MORE
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National Night Out, which brings together residents and the police to make communities safer, was celebrated across the country on August 2. Chair Shola Olatoye and Ingersoll Houses Resident Association President Anthony Sosa (in red) stand with members of the NYPD’s Police Service Area 3, who received a mayoral proclamation recognizing their partnership with the… MORE
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Chair Shola Olatoye signed up for a free IDNYC card at the August 2 opening of the Sedgwick Community Center pop-up IDNYC enrollment center in the Bronx – the first IDNYC pop-up at a NYCHA development. NYCHA residents and community members enrolled in the program to receive the free, government-issued ID, which allows card holders… MORE
Read moreYou already know that eRent provides the option to receive your rent bill electronically and make your payment at NO CHARGE. For employees who are NYCHA residents, that just got better! You can now ensure your rent is on time without ever writing a check or clicking a link. Have your rent deducted automatically from… MORE
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You can get a free smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector through the #Get AlarmedNYC program provided by FDNY and Red Cross. For more information, call Red Cross at 877-733-2767 or visit http://www.redcross.org/local/new-york/greater-new-york/home-fire-preparedness-campaign.
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More than 300 employees attended NYCHA’s third annual Safety Symposium, hosted by the Office of Safety and Security at Johnson Houses on June 30. With remarks from NYCHA and Teamsters Local 237 safety leaders, small-group discussions led by subject matter experts, employee safety congress reports, and even an original play by NYCHA’s Safety Players—the symposium… MORE
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On July 5, Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye sent the following email to all staff announcing the launch of FlexOps. NYCHANow will continue to cover the impact of this historic initiative. This morning before most of you arrived at work, the GM and I had already greeted the staff at 12 consolidations with coffee and… MORE
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The Hispanic Society of NYCHA held a Christmas in July toy drive to benefit children at Wyckoff Medical Center in Brooklyn. A wide array of toys was donated by Society members, friends and families. “We are very encouraged by the response, on short notice, by so many individuals,” reported Society 1st Vice President Fernando Pagán.… MORE
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Members of NYCHA’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) Employee Organization joined thousands of New Yorkers at the City’s Pride March on June 26. “Our members were excited by the opportunity to participate in this year’s Pride March under our organization’s banner—NYCHA’s Association of LGBTQ Employees,” said Association president D’Andra Van Heusen (third from… MORE
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School’s out for Associate Counsel Rosanne Pisem, who completed the Department of Citywide Administrative Services’ (DCAS) Leadership Institute on June 28. The NYC Leadership Institute prepares outstanding mid-level executives to lead organizational change initiatives by introducing them to state-of-theart change models focusing on process and performance improvement. The four-month curriculum focuses on planning and implementing… MORE
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The popular NYCHA Players performed an original playlet dramatizing a safety scenario selected by the audience earlier in the morning. The story concerned an employee who was assaulted by a homeless person in the hallway of a development. The play was followed by an audience talk-back, where employees and players discussed the proper response. The… MORE
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NYCHANow continues its “employee voices” series featuring articles by employees about initiatives and events that they know best. This issue includes an article about handheld devices by Project Manager Aaron Trauring, and enhanced information on NYCHA’s websites by Director for Performance Tracking and Analytics Sybille Louis on page 6. To submit an article about a… MORE
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Handheld devices issued to maintenance workers starting this summer will improve the efficiency of real-time safety checks included in NYCHA’s fire safety campaign. Whenever apartment repairs or inspections are performed, there are five quick safety-related items that staff should check for, fix or install, and document: Alarms – working smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors Ledge –… MORE
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To become a more efficient and effective organization, we have to change the way we do business everywhere, from our developments to our warehouses to our administrative offices. To that end the Performance Management and Analytics Division (PMA), formerly known as the Research and Management Division, under the leadership of Vice President Anne-Marie Flatley, is… MORE
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NYCHA and the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) released a Request for Proposals (RFP) on June 30 for the development of mixed-income housing at two developments: Holmes Towers in Manhattan and Wyckoff Gardens in Brooklyn. The projects outlined in the RFP are the outcome of extensive resident and community stakeholder engagement by… MORE
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The HOPE Program helps empower New Yorkers economically through job training, placement, and education programs, making it an excellent partner for NYCHA. At its annual ceremony on June 1 honoring program graduates and alumni achievements, HOPE also recognized its partnership with NYCHA by honoring REES with its “Referral Partner of the Year” award. REES (Department… MORE
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In honor of Pride Month, NYCHA’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) Employee Association held its first annual Pride and Diversity Celebration on June 22 in the Ceremonial Room. In her remarks, Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye commemorated the more than 100 members of the LGBTQ community who lost their lives or were injured… MORE
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NYCHA continues to bring outstanding employees, residents and other stakeholders to the attention of the public with its popular “I Am NextGen” campaign. Our latest honoree is D’Andra Van Heusen, founding president of NYCHA’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) employee association. Ms. Van Heusen joined NYCHA in 1997 as a Community Associate and… MORE
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Summer 2016 Dear Colleagues, Many of you are aware that Zika virus is affecting parts of Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Zika is usually spread by mosquitoes, and the type of mosquito linked to the current outbreak lives in these places. Zika has not been found in New York City mosquitoes or… MORE
Read moreThe City is once again seeking volunteers for its Coastal Storm Plan (CSP) that mobilizes resources for a coordinated response to a major hurricane. If called upon, a CSP volunteer’s role is to staff and provide logistical support to evacuation centers and/or hurricane shelters. Volunteers are required to participate in an annual online training on… MORE
Read moreeRent is a convenient way for residents to pay rent online and on time. eRent allows NYCHA to: • Reduce costs by reducing paper bills and check processing; • Improve rent and fee collection by offering another convenient alternative for residents to receive and pay their rent bills; • Further reduces our carbon footprint by… MORE
Read moreSafeNYCHA is pleased to present its newest tool to promote safety in every NYCHA office and across all NYCHA campuses: the NYCHA Safety Forum. This new posting board offers users the opportunity to ask questions and share information about safety issues that are of concern to employees in all areas of the Housing Authority. Both… MORE
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NYCHA’s NAACP branch held its Black History Month celebration in the 90 Church Street Ceremonial Room on February 25. Marked by music, dance and high spirit, the reception celebrated the contributions of African Americans to every aspect of national life. The gathering also recognized the many ways that the NAACP branch, established in 1969, is… MORE
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Did you know that NYCHA’s dynamic branch of the NAACP has its own radio show? “Let Your Voice Be Heard,” broadcast on 93.1 FM, was started in 2012 as a forum for NYCHA employees and community members “to discuss some of the positive things going on in our communities and also to help find solutions… MORE
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Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye announced the completion of a $4.8 million lighting installation project at Polo Grounds Towers in Harlem on March 10. Beginning August 2015, NYCHA replaced the development’s outdated exterior lighting system—installed when the buildings were originally built in the late 1960s—with state-of-the-art, energy-efficient lighting located at entrances, walkways and parking areas.… MORE
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NYCHA has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for potential developers to upgrade approximately 1,400 public housing units at Ocean Bay (Bayside) Apartments in Far Rockaways through the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. The release of the RFP is a major milestone for a process that started back in 2013, when NYCHA first met with… MORE
Read moreIn an effort to provide continued support to all NYCHA departments that may respond to various requests for language services assistance, the Department of Communications created a dedicated e-mail address to handle requests for interpretation, translation, and American Sign Language assistance from the Language Services Unit. Requests for assistance should be directed to LanguageServices@nycha.nyc. gov.… MORE
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Free or low-cost spay and neuter services are available for your dog or cat, through the City’s Animal Population Control Program. The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has partnered with the ASPCA to provide the services for free to public housing residents and Section 8 renters in Manhattan, Queens or Staten Island. In… MORE
Read moreAll New York City government employees are eligible for free support and services to stop smoking through New York City’s ESCAPE program. Smoking cessation support includes recommendations on the best approaches, counseling, and/or medications. The program is a personalized and confidential service to meet every individual’s needs. Smoking is the nation’s leading cause of preventable… MORE
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NYCHA’s Office of Safety and Security (OFSS) or a specially trained Incident Investigation Team conducts a thorough analysis of every serious onthe- job injury or accident to determine its root causes to prevent future incidents. But what about minor injuries like cuts or bruises that don’t require hospitalization or result in lost time from work?… MORE
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Ivo Nikolic, formerly Administrator in NYCHA’s Elevator Services and Repair Department, was promoted to Director of Materials Management. In this capacity, Mr. Nikolic is responsible for oversight and operation of the LIC warehouse and the satellite warehouses. In addition to his experience at NYCHA—where he managed NYC Department of Buildings- mandated elevator inspections, elevator contracts… MORE
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Seniors at Astoria Houses had something extra to appreciate this Thanksgiving, thanks to a food drive held by staff in the Sandy Project Management Operation Office of Disaster Recovery. The unit’s community outreach team and others work closely with residents in NYCHA’s Sandy-damaged developments. So when staff decided to have a food drive, “they knew… MORE
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Congratulations to nine tenacious runners who successfully completed the TSC New York City Marathon on November 1 or other recent marathons as far away as Alaska. Just finishing a 26.2-mile marathon is an accomplishment, and some of these runners, who are all members of NYCHA’s Running Team, did it with extra challenges or goals in… MORE
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The “I am NextGeneration NYCHA” campaign continues to bring to the attention of the public outstanding employees, residents, and supporters of NYCHA who embody the commitment to service that’s required to transform our NextGeneration NYCHA vision of safe, clean and connected communities into a reality. The October issue of NYCHANow featured Supervisor of Caretakers Harrison… MORE
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Marking the third anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, NYCHA announced progress on October 29 in transitioning more recovery work from the planning to the construction phase. The new work has started with a complete rebuild of the Red Hook Senior Center—which has remained closed since the storm. The $2.9 million project is made possible by recovery… MORE
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“The efforts of many people to provide meals to families without gas in NYCHA developments was a tremendous success,” said Marcela Medina, State Legislative Affairs Officer in NYCHA’s Office of Intergovernmental Relations. On Thanksgiving Day, more than 600 NYCHA residents were treated to Thanksgiving meals at seven developments located in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Manhattan.… MORE
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Readers may recall that NYCHA’s graphic artist Keith De Cesare was honored at the first anniversary of the National 9/11 Memorial Museum (as reported in the August 2015 issue of NYCHANow) for his series of Angel Memorial Tributes honoring first responders who lost their lives saving others. When Mr. De Cesare learned about the acts… MORE
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The holiday season can bring job-related questions about receiving gifts or other gratuities. Employees may obtain confidential information concerning potential conflicts of interest matters from NYCHA’s Law Department. Questions regarding public servants’ obligations under the NYC Conflicts of Interest Law may be directed to a NYCHA agency attorney at: (212) 306-3355. Employees, who may remain… MORE
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The holidays are a time of joyful celebration with our friends and loved ones. Unfortunately, this fun can come to an abrupt end if you become the victim of a crime or fire. Around the holidays, burglaries, thefts (especially credit card and identify theft) and fires tend to increase. To assist the employees and residents… MORE
Read moreEmployees hired before February 12, 2003, who are not serving in skilled trades titles (which includes maintenance workers) are reminded that they are entitled to a “floating holiday” during calendar year 2015, in recognition of Lincoln’s Birthday. This paid holiday must be used this year (with prior supervisory authorization), as it cannot be carried over… MORE
Read moreNYCHA has released a revised Human Resources Manual, effective December 1, 2015, which is being distributed Authoritywide. You also can access the HR manual on NYCHA Connect, by clicking Departments and then Human Resources.
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The Municipal Credit Union is currently accepting applications for its 2016 Scholarship Program. This year, MCU will award $66,000 in scholarship grants to college-bound high school seniors, including eight memorial scholarships worth $45,000 each and thirteen grants of $2,000 each, respectively. The deadline for submissions is January 15, 2016. Eligibility for participation in the program… MORE
Read moreDear NYCHA Community, We regret to report the passing of Blanca Cedeno, former NYCHA Vice Chair, on December 2, 2015, at the age of 94. Ms. Cedeno began working for NYCHA in 1952 as a housing assistant and worked her way through leadership positions in the Intergroup Relations Division and the Office of Community Affairs.… MORE
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Attendees of the first Quality of Work Life Employee Recognition Awards ceremony in four years received a simple but appreciated gesture at the door — a hand stamp of a single, though meaningful, word: “Congratulations.” More than 200 NYCHA employees packed the house at labor union DC 37’s headquarters, just down the street from NYCHA’s… MORE
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For almost 10 years, staff from the Bronx Community Programs and Development Department (CP&D) have encouraged their colleagues to wear pink every Friday from April through October, to raise funds for the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. Those who do not wear pink are asked to donate $1.00 that day to the fundraising… MORE
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Customer service isn’t something that happens at NYCHA just during Customer Service Week (see p. 6). Recently, a letter praising Human Resources Administrative Staff Analyst Sharda Shrestha was sent to Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye by the sister of an employee who had passed away. The letter, printed below, tells the rest of the story.… MORE
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Janet Abrahams recently joined NYCHA as Vice President of Operations overseeing the Optimal Property Management Operating Model (OPMOM) program. The success of this pilot effort to improve basic maintenance and repair service is critical to the management and progress of our NextGeneration NYCHA goals. Ms. Abrams comes to NYCHA from the Newark Housing Authority, where… MORE
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The Mets may not have clinched the World Series, but the Redbirds — Local 237’s softball league comprised of NYCHA employees — won the softball tournament sponsored by the MTA on October 6. NYCHA’s team was invited to join the well-established, 40-year-old league just a few years ago. “After coming in second last year, the… MORE
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The Office of Disaster Recovery hosted a Sandy Recovery Open House on October 1 for staff and invited guests to introduce them to design innovations that will vastly improve the lives of NYCHA residents living in Sandy-damaged developments. Improvements include new construction plans that feature protected mechanical and heating systems, flood barriers, and strengthened security… MORE
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Community liaisons for elected officials are often called upon by NYCHA’s customers for assistance with the Authority’s public housing and Section 8 programs. On September 30, almost 100 of these frontline aides to City Council Members, State Assembly Members, State Senators, and Congress Members filled the Ceremonial Room at 90 Church Street to learn more… MORE
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NYCHA took part in the City’s celebration of Customer Service Week with a series of events from October 5-9 organized around the theme of “Everyday Heroes.” Below are some highlights of activities throughout the Authority and ways that our employees were recognized by NYCHA and the City for their commitment to providing excellent customer service.… MORE
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Director of Emergency Services Erenisse Tavarez welcomed more than 100 employees from all walks of the Authority to the 2015 Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration, co-hosted by NYCHA’s Department of Communications and its Hispanic Society in the Ceremonial Room on October 22. Guests at the reception first enjoyed contemporary salsa music from Tres del Solar and… MORE
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Congratulations to Kenneth Cox, Administrative Staff Analyst in the Customer Operations Department, who is the winner of the fourth What’s the Big Idea contest. The Challenge Question concerned how to improve the relationship between employees and their supervisors. Mr. Cox’s winning idea is to initiate a training program that develops supervisors’ skills to build and sustain… MORE
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From the NYC Office of Labor Relations Employee Benefits Program (www.nyc.gov/olr) National Retirement Security Week (Oct. 18-24) was the first national event formally calling on all employees to take full advantage of employer-sponsored retirement plans. The New York City Deferred Compensation Plan, which consists of a 457 and 401(k) Plan, allows you to set aside… MORE
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Dear NYCHA System Users, NYCHA Information Technology (IT) is proud to announce its newly formed Cyber Security Education and Awareness program. This program will provide you with information and training on ways to protect sensitive and confidential information and alert you to the pitfalls of unsafe security practices. Over the next few weeks, you will… MORE
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Senior Photographer Peter Mikoleski — the man behind the lens who has documented 33 years of NYCHA history — is in the frame in this photo, taken during the QWL Employee Recognition Awards ceremony (see p. 1). With him is Millie Molina, DOC’s Senior Manager for Events and Communications. For more than two-thirds of NYCHA’s… MORE
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Marking NextGeneration (NextGen) NYCHA’s first 100 days, Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye announced progress, major achievements and reforms since the Authority’s 10-year strategic plan was launched in May. With increased transparency, infrastructure improvements, and stakeholder engagement, NYCHA is taking meaningful steps to change the way it does business and become a more modern, effective and… MORE
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The following op-ed piece by Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye was published in the Sept. 28, 2015, issue of Gotham Gazette. Public housing has been an integral feature of New York City life since Fiorello La Guardia opened the doors of First Houses eighty years ago, and roughly five percent of the city’s population lives… MORE
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“They call me a legend,” John DeCarlo Memorial Award winner Victor M. Cortes said of colleagues and residents at Monroe Houses, where he has worked as a caretaker for the past 50 years. “I saw three generations growing up here and have never had a problem because I show respect and make friends with everyone,”… MORE
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