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… Continue Reading NextGen Computing at NYCHA
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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,… Continue Reading 2017 Jewish Heritage Celebration
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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… Continue Reading Bricks and Mortar Meets Silicon Alley
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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… Continue Reading Thunderstorms 101
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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… Continue Reading Committed to Service
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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… Continue Reading Safety Symposium Puts Eye On Employee Communication
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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… Continue Reading Talking Respect, Efficiency, and Sustainability at the EEC
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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… Continue Reading Know What to Do
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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… Continue Reading Creating Safe, Clean, and Connected Communities with Tracy Lovelace
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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… Continue Reading Preparing for a Hurricane
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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… Continue Reading Say Hello to the Employee Engagement Committee
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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… Continue Reading Vishing Is the New Phishing
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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… Continue Reading NYCHA’s Comprehensive Mold Remediation Pilot
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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… Continue Reading Lessons on Leadership from Rudy Crew
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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… Continue Reading Safety: A Call to Action
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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… Continue Reading Congratulations on the Following Appointments and Promotions
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Applications for the fall 2017 semester of the City University of New York/Department of Citywide Administrative Services (CUNY/DCAS) Public Administration program are now being accepted. Offered in partnership with participating unions, the innovative degree and credit-bearing certificate programs on both the undergraduate and graduate levels prepare City employees to deliver effective services to residents of… Continue Reading Advance Your Career at CUNY’s Murphy Institute
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The New York City Housing Authority has a reasonable accommodation policy and procedure. The function of this policy/ procedure is to provide a reasonable accommodation to a qualified employee or job applicant who has a disability, except when such accommodation would be unduly costly, extensive, substantial or disruptive or would fundamentally alter the nature or… Continue Reading Reasonable Accommodation Policy and Procedures
Read More“The Trump Administration’s devastating budget is an assault on public housing as we know it in this City.” “The proposed rent increase for 2019 will mean that families barely making ends meet, as it is, will be forced to choose between putting food on the table and paying the rent. These cuts threaten our day-to-day… Continue Reading Chair Shola Olatoye Responds to the Trump Administration’s FY 2018 Budget Proposal
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More than 200 vendors, contractors and consultants attended NYCHA’s 2017 Minority-and Women-owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) and Section 3 Business Concerns (S3BC) Trade Show at BNY Mellon in Manhattan on May 4. “Our trade show features representatives from New York City and New York State agencies who, like NYCHA, want to benefit from your expertise in… Continue Reading NYCHA’s Trade Fair Levels the Playing Field
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To celebrate the two-year anniversary of NYCHA’s strategic plan, the Department of Communications organized a week of media events from May 15-19: Monday, May 15 Our resident board members published a letter in the Gotham Gazette discussing NYCHA’s accomplishments to date and the threats we face if our budget is cut by the Trump administration.… Continue Reading Up Close: NextGen NYCHA Progress
Read MoreThe NYC Office of Labor Relations offers a variety of free financial planning seminars that are presented by certified financial planners. Seminars are available on the following topics: College Planning Deferred Compensation Plan Basics Distribution Planning Estate Planning Health Benefits for Active NYC Employees Insurance Planning Retirement Planning Social Security & Medicare Tax Planning For… Continue Reading Free Financial Planning Seminars
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Social Security is a critical part of your retirement income. The guaranteed monthly payments your contributions bring will help ensure your financial security and freedom to enjoy your leisure years. You can now keep track of this vital resource by opening a free, online Social Security account. All you need to access Social Security’s many… Continue Reading Keep Track of Your Retirement Future
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Gas outages at eight developments couldn’t put the chill on Thanksgiving celebrations for 900 residents, thanks to the quick response of senior staff and employee volunteers. When General Manager Michael Kelly put out the call for assistance just two days before the holiday, executive team members quickly contacted local food distributors and arranged for the… Continue Reading NYCHA Employees Go the Extra Mile
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NYCHA held its final Senior Quarterly Leadership Meeting (QLM) for 2016 at the Brooklyn Law School on December 6. The designated theme—”Increasing our Influence”— had added significance on the heels of the presidential election and the nomination of Dr. Ben Carson for the Secretary of HUD one day earlier. “In light of the changing political… Continue Reading Senior Leadership Meeting Focuses on NYCHA’s Influence
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NYCHA Now continues its “employee voices” series with articles by employees about initiatives and events that they know best. To submit an article about a topic you care about, please contact NYCHANow. We want to hear from you! What did Apple’s Steve Jobs and my 91-year-old grandfather have in common? They were both excellent storytellers.… Continue Reading Telling Your Leadership Story
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On November 14, the Haitian- American Association at NYCHA hosted a Hurricane Matthew fundraising luncheon, which was well attended by staff from various departments. Acting President of the Association Sybille Louis introduced its mission and the members of the Association’s board. Yvette Andino, Director of Employee Engagement and Special Assistant to the Chair, shared with… Continue Reading Haitian-American Assoc. Responds to Hurricane Matthew
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Senior leaders from NYCHA and labor unions representing its workforce honored some of the Authority’s most outstanding employees at the 2016 Employee Recognition Awards Ceremony held at District Council 37 in Manhattan on November 18. “Today we’re honoring employees who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to advancing themselves, our organization, and the community,” General Manager… Continue Reading NextGen Values: Commitment, Collaboration and Service
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The Community Engagement and Partnerships Division (CEP), formerly known as Community Programs and Development, engages and connects NYCHA residents to critical services provided by the City and to programs and resources in their communities. Serving as a bridge for resident and community transformation, CEP is grounded in NextGen NYCHA strategies and will continue to ensure… Continue Reading CEP Reorganization Provides Better Direct Service to Residents
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On October 27, during Customer Service Week, 18 senior administrators took employee appreciation to another level. Early that morning, they arrived to shadow employees at 12 developments to see the details of their everyday responsibilities and even help them to complete daily tasks. The visits allowed employees who interact with residents to relay resident issues… Continue Reading Customer Service Week Takes Senior Staff to the Frontlines
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The New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) ensures that other City agencies have the critical resources and support needed to provide the best possible services to the public. As the daughter of Dominican immigrants who gave so much of themselves to ensure that I could have a better life, having the opportunity… Continue Reading Building Tomorrow’s Workforce Today
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Jackie Primeau, formerly Deputy Communications Officer in the Department of Communications, was promoted to Chief of Staff in December 2016. Ms. Primeau assists in the supervision of NYCHA’s operations and provides assistance to the Chair in the planning and execution of all the Authority’s strategic priorities, including NextGeneration NYCHA. In addition to working closely with… Continue Reading Congratulations
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The Housing Authority Police Department (HAPD) Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 997 celebrated the holidays with a luncheon at Riccardo’s Catering House on Nov. 30. In 1995, the HAPD was merged into the NYC Police Department Housing Bureau. HAPD members take pride in their service at the Authority, and many members follow its progress in… Continue Reading Fraternal Order of Police 997 Celebrate the Holidays
Read MoreWhat is “whaling?” Whaling is a clever type of phishing scam that typically involves a hacker pretending to be a senior executive. The perpetrators will usually ask the intended victim to take some action, such as moving money, making a payment, or transferring documents containing personally identifiable information. Whaling attacks are a form of corrupt… Continue Reading Be Aware of “Whaling”
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Many New Yorkers may be feeling distressed or vulnerable following the election results. We have seen the concerns expressed on social media, and we are monitoring them closely. In light of these concerns, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives and Thrive NYC have partnered with the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs,… Continue Reading Feeling Stressed? Resources for City Employees
Read MoreThis is a reminder to all employees of the following obligations under the Authority’s General Regulations of Behavior and Conflicts of Interest Guidelines. These provisions are not all encompassing but are particularly relevant around the holidays. Employees may not: • Ask for contributions or accept gifts or sell goods or services for private gain, on… Continue Reading Activities Prohibited on Authority Premises
Read MoreGet a jump-start on your New Year’s resolution! Weight Watchers and WorkWell NYC are here to support you through the holiday season with some tips to stay happy and healthy. 1. Plan ahead! Invited to a holiday party? Offer to bring a healthy dish (low in SmartPoints™)—your friends and family will thank you! 2. Stay… Continue Reading Weight Watchers
Read MoreHolidays may be the most wonderful time of the year, but they can also be the most dangerous. Here’s how to stay safe. • Read the instructions and/or warning labels thoroughly before you set up your fully lit menorah or Christmas tree to make sure it complies with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Most manufacturers provide a… Continue Reading Have a Safer Holiday Season
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NYCHA marked the fourth anniversary of Superstorm Sandy with a construction and hiring boom. At this time last year, major construction was underway at one development–– the Lower East Side Rehab Group 5. In the past year, the Authority has broken ground on three additional major recovery projects. As these projects are ramping up major… Continue Reading NYCHA Marks Sandy Anniversary with Major Projects Underway
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Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye joined innovators, local governments and community groups at the White House Opportunity Project on October 6 to discuss the Authority’s progress in using new digital tools to better serve residents. At the forum, Chair Olatoye called for more tech partnerships and new tools to solve outstanding data challenges and help… Continue Reading Chair Olatoye Addresses White House Forum
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The listing of employee organizations on Connect now includes the Culture and Arts Exchange, formed by Deputy Director for Community Safety Strategies Andre Cirilo. As he explains, the organization was created “to highlight the skills and abilities of NYCHA staff to improve morale.” Mr. Cirilo has been fostering interest in the arts since he was… Continue Reading Check Out the Culture and Arts Exchange
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Congratulations to the Hispanic Society of NYCHA for hosting its Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on October 13. Proud Hispanic employees and others attended the lively event, along with District Council Local 957 President Walthene Primus; Board Member Victor Gonalez; executive staff; and Society members, families, and friends. The evening included remarks from guest speakers Yvette… Continue Reading Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
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General Manager Michael Kelly wished Asian American Association (AAA) members and friends a Shubh Diwali, or Happy Diwali, at the AAA’s observance of the ancient festival celebrating the victory of good over evil, held in the DC 37 headquarters on October 25. “For more than 21 years, the Asian American Association has enriched NYCHA by… Continue Reading Asian American Association Celebrates Diwali
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Great customer service is the foundation of the Housing Authority’s commitment to safe, clean and connected communities. Employees at all levels of NYCHA were involved in our 2016 Customer Service Week celebration, from celebratory lunches to the senior leadership team shadowing development staff to better understand their workloads. Congratulations to the 2016 Service Champion Award… Continue Reading Recognizing Customer Service Excellence
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Have you ever wondered if anyone in NYCHA’s leadership team knows what your job is really like? Almost 20 caretakers, maintenance workers, housing assistants and others had a chance to show 15 senior staff the lowdown during Customer Service Week. “We want our senior team to know firsthand what it’s like for property management staff,… Continue Reading Senior Staff “Shadow” Employees on the Job for Firsthand View
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As a recent addition to the New York City Housing Authority team, I am grateful to work within the Community Engagement and Partnerships (CEP) Division. Under NextGeneration NYCHA, we are all working hard to make sure that residents and the developments are safe, clean and connected. And I was pleasantly surprised to see my previous… Continue Reading Connecting Residents to Community Resources
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Most of us have never heard of arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) and probably can’t even pronounce it. Administrative Staff Analyst in Energy Sustainability Valerie Pepe doesn’t say it much either because she refuses to think of herself as a person who is limited in any way. But she does mention it in her recently published… Continue Reading “My Remarkable Life”
Read MoreHere are some reminders for how to protect your credit cards and information as you prepare for the holiday shopping season. • Carry only the credit cards you need. • Keep a record of your account numbers, expiration dates, and the telephone numbers of each card issuer in a safe place so you can report… Continue Reading How to Protect Your Credit Cards and Information
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Since many of us may be on snow removal duty at home or at work this winter, here are some helpful tips for snow removal and for protecting yourself from the cold. General Safety Precautions Snow removal can be a strenuous activity, particularly because cold weather can be taxing on the body. There is a… Continue Reading Tips for Safe Snow Removal and Protection from the Cold
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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 Language Bank volunteer Marisol Semprit and NYPD Neighborhood Coordination Officers Leandro Payero and Joseph Repetti. The Neighborhood Coordination Program is designed to unite police and the community as… Continue Reading Meet Our Latest “I Am NextGen” Honorees
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Since July of this year, Department of Communications’ (DOC) Senior Manager for Events Communications Services Millie Molina and Associate General Counsel Rosanne Pisem have delivered training to Operations property managers and senior staff on NYCHA’s language assistance services policy. NYCHA is committed to providing meaningful access to information and services for individuals with limited English… Continue Reading NYCHA Is Committed to Providing Excellent Language Assistance Services
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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.… Continue Reading NCOs Help Butler Clean Up
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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… Continue Reading Love Where You Live
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… Continue Reading Deadline for Parking Permit Renewals
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,… Continue Reading The IT Knowledge Base Is Here
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… Continue Reading ATLS Transfer Period Is Coming for Teamsters
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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… Continue Reading Preparing for Your Retirement Now
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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… Continue Reading HUD Report Underscores Success of RAD Program
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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… Continue Reading Congratulations on the following recent promotions:
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… Continue Reading Your Vote Counts!
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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… Continue Reading IDNYC Visits NYCHA
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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.… Continue Reading Housing Assistant Ronald Manning Writes and Fights Depression
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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… Continue Reading Webinar Shares Information About Section 8 Process Improvements
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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… Continue Reading New Online Re-certification Provides 24/7 Information Access
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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… Continue Reading Interview with Director of Safety and Security Pat O’Hagan
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… Continue Reading Protect Your Password
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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… Continue Reading Kim Maxwell: “I Am NextGen”
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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… Continue Reading Improve Your Performance
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… Continue Reading DOI Report on Fire Safety
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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,… Continue Reading It’s Hurricane Season—Be Prepared
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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… Continue Reading NYCHA Notable
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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… Continue Reading NYCHA’s Capital Team Lights the Way to Safety
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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… Continue Reading Congratulations on the following recent appointments:
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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,… Continue Reading NYCHA Celebrates Family Days
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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… Continue Reading A Stand-Up Guy
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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… Continue Reading CAA Celebrates Mid-Autumn Festival
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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… Continue Reading NYCHA’s Own LaToya Jordan Is Among the Best
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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… Continue Reading Property Management Staff Attend “Sustainability Boot Camp”
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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… Continue Reading “I Am NextGen” Honorees Embody NYCHA’s Commitment to Service
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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… Continue Reading IT Service Desk Offers Do-It-Yourself Options
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… Continue Reading Free Financial Planning
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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… Continue Reading NYCHA Caretaker Saves Baby and Family from Blaze
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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… Continue Reading Say Hello to “J” Stakenburg, Director of the Office of Emergency Management
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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,… Continue Reading Resident Watch to Merge With City’s Emergency Response Team
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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… Continue Reading Watch “Ras” at Urban Decision-Makers Conference
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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… Continue Reading New FlexOps Pilot Initiative to Improve Customer Service Debuts
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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… Continue Reading Same Reasons, Different Name
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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… Continue Reading NYCHA Recognized for Excellence in Construction Management
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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… Continue Reading Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting
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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… Continue Reading Preserving NYCHA’s Artistic Heritage
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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… Continue Reading Public Interest Design: Why Should Designers Work Inside Government?
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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… Continue Reading “I Am NextGen” Honoree Is Award-Winning Caretaker
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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… Continue Reading National Night Out
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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… Continue Reading Get Your IDNYC Card
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… Continue Reading NEW: NYCHA eRent Employee Perk
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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… Continue Reading Symposium Underscores NYCHA’s Commitment to Safety
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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… Continue Reading Launch of FlexOps Pilot Expands Service Hours for Residents
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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.… Continue Reading Christmas in July Toy Drive
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