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
Read more
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
Read more
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
Read more
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
Read more
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
Read more
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
Read more
“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
Read more
Some of NYCHA’s and the City’s most promising young scholars were honored at the 10th annual NYCHA-CUNY Resident Scholarship Awards Ceremony held at Borough of Manhattan Community College on September 22. The 15 highly motivated young residents, all enrolled full-time at a CUNY college, were selected for the $1,000 award from more than 100 NYCHA… MORE
Read more
Rasmia Kirmani-Frye, the Director of NYCHA’s Office of Public/Private Partnerships, has been hard at work launching the Fund for Public Housing, an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. A key NextGeneration NYCHA strategy, the Fund will increase investment in NYCHA communities, making them safer, cleaner, and more connected. It will be an important part of NYCHA’s transformation… MORE
Read more
The John DeCarlo memorial Award — NYCHA’s premier employee prize — was presented on September 18 to two outstanding caretakers whose job dedication best perpetuates the legacy of the renowned caretaker for whom the award is named. To the applause of proud family and management department members gathered in the Ceremonial Room at 250 Broadway,… MORE
Read more
The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) has presented NYCHA with its prestigious Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its current budget. 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 of Recognition… MORE
Read more
Since the launch of NYCHA’s 10-year strategic plan, NextGeneration NYCHA, the Authority has debuted key pieces of our strategy to address our chronic operating deficit and $17 billion in unmet capital needs. In September, we continued the rollout of our strategic plan with the introduction of NextGeneration (NextGen) Neighborhoods, a program to build 50 percent… MORE
Read moreNYCHA is committed to a workplace free from violence and hostilities and to providing our employees with a safe and professional work environment. All NYCHA personnel are responsible for notifying the Office of Safety and Security (OFSS) of any violent incidents or threatening behaviors, including threats they have witnessed, received, or have been told that… MORE
Read moreChair and CEO Shola Olatoye shared an interesting article on public housing with Department of Communications (DOC) staff and others, from this month’s Atlantic magazine. Needless to say, NYCHA is amply discussed. The article, “The Real Power of Public Housing,” will no doubt be included in the news clips that DOC sends out but since… MORE
Read more
In June, we reported on the newest employee oganization— LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning). Since then, two more employee organizations have entered the scene. In fact, there are so many employee organizations that one of the new ones—the Coalition of NYCHA Employee Organizations (CoNEO)—has been formed to provide all of them with a… MORE
Read more
Nicole Ferreira rejoined NYCHA in February 2015 as a Senior Director in the Development Department. As a leader of the senior team, Ms. Ferreira oversees the development pipeline and ensures the development process is timely and well-organized. She is also responsible for leading the team to execute NextGerneration NYCHA strategic initiatives for both the preservation… MORE
Read more
Per Scholas is offering free IT job training courses for NYCHA residents and community members (including NYCHA employees) interested in receiving their CompTIA A+and MCTS certifications. CompTIA A+ is an entrylevel computer certification for PC computer service technicians. The exam is designed to certify the competency of entry-level PC computer service professionals in installing, maintaining,… MORE
Read more
On August 24, Mayor Bill de Blasio and General Manager Michael Kelly announced the start of rooftop replacement construction at Queensbridge Houses in Long Island City, underscoring a core commitment of NextGeneration NYCHA to preserve and maintain NYCHA’s precious housing stock. “Having a roof over your head isn’t good enough if it leaks all the… MORE
Read more
“Collaboration and transparency… get the best results.” Bomee Jung joined NYCHA as Vice President for Energy and Sustainability on July 6. Prior to that, she served in various leadership positions at Enterprise Community Partners, Inc., a national leader in greening affordable housing, and on the City’s Planning Commission. During her tenure with Enterprise, Bomee is… MORE
Read more
“Back Home in Housing” Gerald Nelson joined NYCHA as Vice President for Public Safety on August 3. He began his career in 1973 as a patrolman in the then-NYCHA Housing Police Bureau and recently retired as Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Brooklyn North after more than 40 years of service with the NYPD. In his… MORE
Read more
Volunteering doesn’t have to be a chore. Just ask the more than 230 residents, Property Managers, Caretakers, Superintendents, development office staff, and community partners who spent a few hours on August 6 sprucing up the fences at Van Dyke Houses with a fresh coat of paint. According to NYCHA Project Manager Helga Nyanffor, residents raised… MORE
Read more
This summer General Counsel David Farber invited NYCHA’s attorneys to a series of visits to the field. Seventy-five attorneys along with legal interns accepted the invitation. These trips provided an opportunity for the attorneys to meet NYCHA’s borough leadership, development management, and other teams; inspect NYCHA buildings from roof to basement; and interact with development… MORE
Read moreThank you to Catherine Santiago and General Services for printing and distributing 5,000 copies of NYCHANow for distribution to employees without desktop computers. Employees who have seen these hard copies will agree that Catherine is doing an excellent job using some new equipment now available at the print shop located at 90 Church Street. And… MORE
Read more
“Everyone has a role in their own destiny.” Executive Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer Natalie Y. Rivers will leave NYCHA after more than 27 years of service on September 25. Natalie began her singular career here as a Staff Analyst in the Human Resources Department, “to pay off a college loan,” she recalled. She… MORE
Read more
“Hello. This is the New York City Housing Authority. We’re calling to remind you that your rent and other charges are due on the first of the month. Our records indicate that you have an overdue balance…” Beginning in August, the first round of “robocalls” went out to residents with rent and other charges in… MORE
Read moreGeneral Manager Michael Kelly joined Mayor Bill de Blasio, elected officials, and community leaders in Lower Manhattan on August 27 as the Mayor announced a new City capital commitment of $100 million to help protect Lower Manhattan from flooding. General Manager Kelly participated in a round-table discussion hosted by the Mayor on resiliency issues. “Superstorm… MORE
Read moreESCAPE (Employee Smoking Cessation Assistance Program) is a resource available at no charge to all eligible New York City employees who would like to quit smoking. According to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, whose website features this information, making a decision to quit is the first and most important step in successfully… MORE
Read more
On July 12, General Manager Michael Kelly marked 100 days on the job by announcing “Fix-It-Forward,” a major initiative to overhaul maintenance and repair operations and advance the NextGeneration NYCHA goal of operating as an efficient and effective landlord. Fix-It-Forward is in line with the Authority’s 10-year strategic plan to focus on its core business… MORE
Read more
When NYCHA’s Digital Van parked at Mott Haven Houses in the Bronx on July 16, it wasn’t only to provide free Internet access to public housing residents. The visit celebrated the announcement of new initiatives that will significantly expand NYCHA’s pioneering efforts to breach the digital divide for public housing families. “We are here this morning… MORE
Read more
Now that NYCHA’s strategic plan for the next 10 years has finally been publically launched, our NextGeneration NYCHA work has just begun. That was the message with which Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye welcomed senior staff on July 14 for the second Quarterly Leadership Meeting, after attendees watched a video compilation of NextGeneration NYCHA media… MORE
Read more
Gerald Nelson joined NYCHA as Vice President for Public Safety on August 3, 2015. In this role, he is responsible for planning, organizing and directing all of NYCHA’s public safety services and activities, ensuring the provision of general law enforcement, criminal investigation, fire suppression and prevention, rescue and emergency medical services, disaster responses, nuisance abatement… MORE
Read more
Some residents saw posters at their developments, others learned from resident associations, and still others found the good news on Facebook or Twitter: NYCHA was hiring again for its Seasonal Program. After a hiatus of two years from lack of funding, the Seasonal Program is again providing valuable job experience and income for housing development… MORE
Read more
The best praise comes from home. Kudos to NYCHA’s HR team for the letter they inspired from Elevator Mechanic’s Helper Sun Tsang. Director Kenya Salaudeen, My name is Sun Tsang. I had recently changed City agencies to NYCHA and my daughter had to see the doctor. My wife called me and said the girls were… MORE
Read more
As the Broadband Initiatives manager in IT’s Infrastructure Department, Anthony Palermo has been working to provide telecommunications and other services for residents since the TIES (telecommunications, internet, entertainment and security) initiative he began in 2001. Since 2006, the 36-year NYCHA veteran has focused on utilizing existing and providing additional infrastructure for broadband. “NYCHA has been… MORE
Read moreIn a July 10, 2015, email to staff, General Manager Michael Kelly announced a series of organizational changes and staff appointments that followed an agency-wide assessment of functions and operations at the development level and at central offices. “If we are to create safe, clean, and connected communities, we must fundamentally change the way we… MORE
Read more
The IT Department will be upgrading two frequently used programs that will improve service for NYCHA’s approximately 6,000 desktop computer users. Internet Explorer is being upgraded to version 11 and Adobe Acrobat also is being upgraded to version 11. The upgrade is expected to begin mid-August and should take several weeks to complete. Upgrading will… MORE
Read moreApproximately three months prior to retirement, employees should schedule an appointment with Human Resources’ ASKHR at (212) 306-8000. Prior to the appointment, you must visit the NYC Employees Retirement System (NYCERS) to obtain a printout of your pension estimate. NYCERS, located at 340 Jay Street in Brooklyn, is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.… MORE
Read moreDear NYCHANow: On January 20, 2015, my sister, Cardell Stokes Phillips, passed away. Cardell was an employee of the Authority for over 40 years; 15 plus of which were spent in the title of PAA 3, in the Office of the Chair of the Authority. Cardell loved the Authority, and as such, treated it as… MORE
Read more
Kudos to Mario Nelson, Maintenance Worker at LaGuardia Houses in Manhattan, for telling New Yorkers and social media followers around the world about how he fells working for NYCHA. When Mr. Nelson was approached in early June during his lunch hour by photographer Brandon Stanton—creator of the popular photo-blog Humans of New York—he described the… MORE
Read more
NYCHA’s Running Team turned out in force at the 39th Corporate Challenge run in Central Park on June 4. Led by veteran team captain Bob Nordman, 15 staunch members participated in the 3.2 mile race, sponsored by JPMorgan Chase to raise funds for the preservation and maintenance of Central Park. Marathon runner Bob Nordman and… MORE
Read more
Brooklyn Workforce Innovations (BWI), an organization that helps unemployed and working poor New Yorkers gain access to careers, honored NYCHA’s Resident Training Academy (NRTA) and the Department of Resident Economic Empowerment and Sustainability (REES) with the Exceptional Employer Award on Monday, June 11. Accepting the award at its annual gala on behalf of REES, General… MORE
Read more
REES Assistant Director Shanna Castillo was honored as a graduate of the City’s Leadership Institute at the Executive Development Recognition Ceremony held at One Police Plaza on June 17. The highly competitive Institute prepares mid-level executives to be innovative leaders for the City of New York. “Shanna is an exceptional leader and the REES team… MORE
Read more
James Artis was a property maintenance supervisor at Gompers Houses before his promotion to asset manager in the Optimal Property Management Operating Model (OPMOM) pilot. Asset managers work collaboratively with OPMOM property managers (PMs), offering a broad range of administrative, management and technical support, and sharing best practices based on resources in their geographic area.… MORE
Read more
NYCHA has launched its own account called @nychagram on Instagram, the popular picture sharing platform for social media where photos are tagged by category with hashtags. “We’re excited about the account, launched last month by DOC’s digital communications team,” said Interim Digital Communications Manager Thomas Ngo. “We think it will be a great way to engage… MORE
Read more
“Today we are here for you,” General Manager Michael Kelly told more than 350 property managers and supervisors, along with department directors and executive staff, at NYCHA’s third Safety Symposium, hosted by the Office of Safety Security at Johnson Houses on June 18. The symposium reported on the state of NYCHA’s safety program, including the… MORE
Read more
Sibyl Colon, formerly Administrator in the Manhattan Management Department, was promoted to Director of the Optimal Property Management Department (OPMOM). Ms. Colon is responsible for ensuring that the decentralized property management model adheres to all of NYCHA’s standard operating procedures and quality standards while streamlining operations. Robert Knapp, formerly Director of the Manhattan Management Department,… MORE
Read moreThe Authority’s second agency-wide Safety Strategic Plan (SSP) was unveiled at the Safety Symposium. The purpose of the Plan is to provide common goals to foster a safer work environment. The following goals have been established: Conduct hazard assessments of each work location to identify opportunities for safety improvements. Increase safety communication within and across… MORE
Read moreThe Chief-Leader, a weekly newspaper aimed at the City’s civil service employees, reported on NYCHA’s Safety Symposium in its June 22 issue. The “agency and the union that represents nearly 8,000 HA workers, Local 237, credited their collaboration for reducing the number of injuries over the last couple of years,” paper said. For the full… MORE
Read more
Lorraine Aponte, Chief Caretaker, Claremont Consolidated “for working with her supervisors as a Safety Asso-ciate, tackling safety issues and suggesting ways to prevent injuries ” Diane Babb, Caretaker J, Williamsburg Houses “for ensuring that improper practices were raised and addressed” Laverne Jusino, Caretaker X, Boston-Secor Houses “for being an effective Safety Associate, regularly reporting safety… MORE
Read more
More than 200 residents of Ocean Bay/Bayside Apartments and members of the Far Rockaway community attended a meeting held by Councilmember Donovan Richards and NYCHA on June 24 to discuss the benefits of HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. RAD enables public housing authorities to convert a select number of their traditional public housing units… MORE
Read more
Employees are used to doing more with less — but working in the dark is something new! On June 19, the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability and the Building Energy Exchange asked NYCHA to join in Daylight Hour 2015. This event called for buildings all over the world to turn off the lights from 12:00 p.m.… MORE
Read moreOn July 1, NYCHA released the “Request for Proposal” (RFP) for potential developers to expand 100 percent affordable housing opportunities at three NYCHA developments, including Ingersoll (Fort Greene, Brooklyn), Van Dyke (Brownsville, Brooklyn) and Mill Brook (Mott Haven, the Bronx.) The plan to create affordable senior and family housing on underused NYCHA property was the… MORE
Read moreEmployees who serve in titles which require uniforms must wear them during work hours. All other employees are expected to dress in a manner that is appropriate for a business environment. All clothing worn during business hours should be neat and clean in appearance. Extremely informal and/ or clothing that reveals your cleavage, back, stomach… MORE
Read more
A major upgrade in customer service is scheduled to roll out this summer with MyNYCHA, an “app” that will enable public housing residents to create, submit, view, track, and update maintenance service requests. Along with increasing customer convenience, the app will also reduce call volume to the Customer Contact Center. Residents can also sign up… MORE
Read moreThe NYC/EAP is a professional service for City employees that provides free, confidential assistance to employees and their family members with a wide range of personal and social problems. Areas of service include marital or family conflict, mental or emotional stress, problems with alcoholism and substance abuse, elder care, child care, financial problems, and traumatic… MORE
Read more
Summer is here—as is the hot weather. To ensure that employees who work outdoors are not overcome with heat induced stress or illness, here are some safety tips. Supervisors should ensure that there is plenty of drinking water located as close as possible to employees. Employees should: drink water about every 15 minutes even if… MORE
Read more
Take advantage of big savings in commuting costs with the Commuter Benefits Program. You can deduct up to $130 a month from your taxable income for MTA, LIRR, N.J.Path and other mass transit expenses, and up to $250 a month for qualified commuter parking. This can save you more than $400 a year in tax—or… MORE
Read more
Batei Tsibur, the organization of Jewish employees at NYCHA, held its annual Jewish Heritage Month Celebration in the Ceremonial Room at 90 Church Street on May 11. As in years past, Harley Diamond, Assistant Chief in the Law Department and a professionally trained singer, led the group in the U.S. and Israeli nation anthems, and… MORE
Read more
Some clouds bring storms but NYCHA’s cloud brings safety from the storm—thanks to the Emergency Response Reporting System developed by IT Computer Specialists Ned Epstein and Girish Nori, and Computer Services Manager Rajat Lala. Following Hurricane Irene in 2011 and Superstorm Sandy one year later, Mr. Epstein worked on the application development for the emergency… MORE
Read moreOn May 14, NYCHA held its third annual Minority-owned, Women-owned, and Small Business Enterprises (MWSBE) Trade Show at BNY Mellon. Approximately 240 MWSBEs attended to learn how to do business with NYCHA or companies with large NYCHA contracts, as well as with city, state, and federal agencies. Twenty-eight organizations staffed exhibits, including Con Edison, the… MORE
Read more
Assistant Property Maintenance Supervisor Michael Johnson has been honored with a 2015 Sloan Public Service Award. Ceremonies were held with his colleagues and senior administrators at Johnson Houses in Manhattan on June 2, and later the same day in the Great Hall at Cooper Union, with Mayor Bill de Blasio and hundreds of others in… MORE
Read more
On May 18, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that NYCHA and Teamsters Local 237, which represents about 5,500 NYCHA employees, reached a tentative contract deal. The employees affected by the new contract includes caretakers, housing assistants, and building superintendents, among others. The proposed contract includes a 10 percent raise over seven and a half years,… MORE
Read more
Kathie Shoulders was a property manager for two years at Harlem River Houses before applying to participate in the Optimal Property Management Operating Model (OPMOM) pilot that launched in January. “The minute I heard about OPMOM, I was excited,” she said “because I wanted an opportunity to really take control of day to day operations.”… MORE
Read more
General Manager Michael Kelly announced the official launch of NYCHA’s recycling program on May 29 at Steepshead/Nostrand Houses in Brooklyn, where he was joined by NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY)Commissioner Kathyrn Garcia and Mayor’s Office of Sustainability Director Nilda Mesa. “We are very excited to implement recycling at all of our 328 developments over the… MORE
Read more
NYCHA received $633,534 from Con Edison for $10 million in energy saving investments at NYCHA developments in Harlem, including 131 Saint Nicholas Avenue, Washington Houses, and Lexington Houses. The incentives offered by Con Edison were for investments NYCHA made to replace aging oil boiler equipment with 11 new, high-efficiency natural gas boilers and installation of… MORE
Read moreGOAL 1: A SECURE FINANCIAL FUTURE—achieve short term financial stability and diversify funding for the long term Stabilize Finances: City relief of NYCHA’s Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT), building on the already-waived $70 million annual payment to the NYPD, to achieve an additional $30 million in operating savings per year. Streamline Operations: Integration and… MORE
Read more
“People usually tell you when you do something wrong but say nothing when you do something right,” explained Cassidy/Lafayette Houses Resident Association President Dr. Brenda L. Harris. That’s why she decided to write a letter to Queens-Staten Island Property Management Deputy Director Brenda Allen to commend Property Manager Prince Menjor, Property Maintenance Supervisor Eva Gonzalez (since reassigned),… MORE
Read moreNYCHA’s diverse group of employee affiliation organizations will soon have a new member, with the inaugural membership meeting of LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning) Employee Organization. “I realized after the Black History Month celebration and the Women’s History Month celebration that there was another part of me that was not being recognized said… MORE
Read moreIn case you haven’t noticed, NYCHA’s website has a new look. Launched on May 1, the website was redesigned with the needs of residents, employees, and other stakeholders in mind. In addition to photos that provide helpful information, the site has a host of new features that make it more user-friendly, and it is accessible… MORE
Read moreWith the college year now over, there’s still one more important thing NYCHA’s hard working college students should do—apply for a $1,000 scholarship for NYCHA residents. The NYCHA-CUNY Resident Scholarship is awarded competitively to residents enrolled full-time as a sophomore, junior or senior at any City University of New York college, in an Associate or Baccalaureate degree… MORE
Read moreIn an email message to employees, General Manager Michael Kelly addressed aspects of the NextGen plan that concern some staff. “One aspect of the plan that I know employees have questions about is the strategy to reduce central office staff by approximately 1,000 employees over the course of the next three years….I want to emphasize… MORE
Read more
On May 19, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye announced NextGeneration NYCHA (NextGen), a comprehensive ten-year plan to stabilize the financial crisis facing New York City’s public housing and deliver long-needed improvements to residents’ quality of life. The plan will change the way NYCHA is funded, managed, and how it serves… MORE
Read more
Sibyl Colon When Manhattan Administrator Sibyl Colon heard frantic knocking on her apartment door last fall, she rushed out of the shower to find her neighbor of 25 years collapsed in the hallway. After screaming for her son to call 911, Ms. Colon knew exactly what else to do. She applied CPR to the unconscious… MORE
Read more
Q: Why did you want this position at NYCHA? A: It seemed like a wonderful opportunity. I had just gone through the process of helping to re-establish core values and a new culture in my previous position as Vice President at HELP/PSI, a health and social services provider for New York City’s under served populations.… MORE
Read more
Earlier this year, 11 caretakers were hard at work demolishing old plaster walls and putting up new ones at Manhattanville Houses. But they weren’t working in residents’ apartments or common spaces. They were in the basement at the Training Center, taking their final exam. Through an agreement with Teamsters Local 237, the caretakers performed expanded… MORE
Read more
On April 18, while supervising a roof repair from the top of a building at Unity Plaza in Brooklyn, Technical Advisor Anthony Vecchi saw something that grabbed his attention: A baby in diapers was holding onto a window ledge by one hand, swinging back and forth. “I immediately screamed down for somebody to do something,”… MORE
Read more
In line with Mayor Bill de Blasio’s goals for a healthier, more sustainable New York, NYCHA is introducing a recycling initiative that will affect every NYCHA family. A letter from NYCHA Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye and the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is introducing residents to the recycling initiative. Included in NextGeneration… MORE
Read moreDear NYCHA Colleagues, As you may know, New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer is in the process of auditing NYCHA’s supply and inventory management activities. The preliminary findings of this audit reveal a number of serious deficiencies in our business practices that hamper our ability to provide timely and quality service to NYCHA’s residents. We… MORE
Read more
Q: You served as NYCHA’s GM previously (2009-2011). How does it feel to be back? A: It’s fantastic. I’m so impressed by the incredible talent and dedication of NYCHA employees, and it’s such an honor and privilege to work with them again to serve residents. Q: What are your thoughts on OPMOM, a decentralized property… MORE
Read more
What is NextGeneration NYCHA? NextGeneration NYCHA is a ten-year strategic plan that will guide NYCHA in changing the way we do business. We understand that NYCHA residents, like all New Yorkers, want communities that are safe, clean and connected. To create and sustain those communities, NYCHA must make fundamental changes to our business model. NextGeneration… MORE
Read more
Dear Colleagues: I am proud to tell you about NextGeneration NYCHA, the New York City Housing Authority’s 10-year strategic plan to create safe, clean, and connected communities and to protect and preserve the City’s vital public housing resource for today and the next generation of New Yorkers. Since it was established 81 years ago, NYCHA… MORE
Read more
Physically secure your work area and data before leaving it unattended. Lock your screen. Remember, you are responsible for activity performed using your user ID. Use passwords that can’t be easily guessed. A non-word with one or more numbers inserted in the middle (not at the end) is the best choice. To make a memorable… MORE
Read moreInterested in advancing your career with a new credential in public administration? The School of Professional Studies at the City University of New York is offering a Public Administration Certificate program beginning this Fall. In addition to receiving a certificate upon completion of the program, you’ll also earn either 16 undergraduate credits toward a Bachelor’s degree… MORE
Read more
If you think that IDNYC—the City’s government-issued identification card—is only valuable to people without government-issued photo IDs, think again. In addition to providing legal identification and access to City services, IDNYC brings many other advantages. Free, one-year memberships at 33 of the City’s leading cultural institutions, including the American Museum of Natural History, Lincoln Center,… MORE
Read more
NYCHA employees may have noticed some very special guests touring the offices at 90 Church Street, 1200 Waters Place, and Long Island City on April 23. These weren’t new employees; they were children of employees participating in Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work. NYCHA and the Committee on Women’s Concerns celebrated by welcoming 114… MORE
Read more
On March 25, NYCHA Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye announced that Michael Kelly is re-joining NYCHA as General Manager, replacing GM Cecil House who has resigned effective April 15. Some NYCHA employees may remember Mr. Kelly, as he served as NYCHA’s GM from 2009-2011 before being tapped by the Obama Administration to run the then-troubled… MORE
Read moreDear NYCHA Colleagues, I would like to extend my gratitude to Cecil for his two and a half years of service to the residents and employees of the Authority. From leading the effort to signifi cantly reduce maintenance backlogs to introducing tools to effi ciently manage NYCHA properties and improve customer service, he has been… MORE
Read moreNYCHANow is continuing the “Wit and Wisdom in the Workplace” proverb contest! Here’s a chance to share sayings, axioms or mottoes from your childhood or cultural background that many of us may not have heard. Originality counts; less familiar or original proverbs will be rated higher by our judges. Don’t put off for tomorrow what… MORE
Read moreEvery employee should complete a Designation of Beneficiaries form to ensure that any monies due upon the employee’s death are given to only the individuals they have selected. Updating beneficiaries for your pension does not change the beneficiaries for other payments to which survivors may be entitled. The NYCERS change of (pension) benefi ciary form… MORE
Read moreIf you earned money in 2014, you could get a refund of up to $10,000 for you and your family, just by qualifying for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Care Tax Credit. One out of five, or about 250,000, New Yorkers who qualify for the EITC don’t claim it, leaving thousands… MORE
Read more
Kilsys Payamps-Roure, Special Assistant to NYCHA Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye, was honored by the New York City Council during its celebration of Dominican Republic Independence Day on February 23. About 200 people joined in the festivities at the City Council, which featured performances by Shacara McLaurin, who sang the National Anthem, the P.S. 257… MORE
Read more
On Tuesday, March 24, about one hundred NYCHA employees celebrated Women’s History Month. The event featured a keynote address by Terri McCullough, Director of No Ceilings: The Full Participation Project, a Clinton Foundation initiative. The evening was emceed by Community Programs and Development EVP Melanie Hart. NYCHA Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye introduced Terri McCullough… MORE
Read more
Q: What are your job responsibilities? A: In addition to managing the day-to-day operations of the Chair’s office, I support the planning and implementation of policies and directives; communicate with NYCHA departments on agency initiatives; and serve as a liaison to the Authority’s many external partners. Q: You worked in several key positions for the… MORE
Read more
On the first Friday of every month, small groups of employees may be seen waiting outside the Executive Board Room before 8:30 a.m. They may be dressed in suits or jeans, dresses or NYCHA blues. They may work in housing developments or satellite, central, or borough offices. What they have in common is an invitation… MORE
Read more
February was a momentous month for Nathaniel Williams Jr. The Supervisor of Housing Caretakers (SOHC) at Lincoln Houses celebrated his 36th anniversary as a NYCHA employee. And the president of the Local 237 Teamsters Union, Gregory Floyd, presented him with the Teamsters’ President’s Award at the union’s annual Black History Celebration. The event celebrated the… MORE
Read more
Two of the most powerful words in any language – thank you – were spoken to 92 Language Bank volunteers honored at the 19th Annual Language Bank Recognition Ceremony held in the Ceremonial Room on February 4. These volunteers are among 250 NYCHA employees who collectively speak 39 languages, making NYCHA’s Language Bank one of… MORE
Read more
On February 26, NYCHA’s Chinese American Association (CAA) and their 300-plus guests brought in the Chinese New Year, 4713, with music, dancing, and belly-warming food at the Grand Harmony Restaurant in Chinatown. Before rousing performances from the Joyful Dance Ensemble and singer Danny Pao, NYCHA Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye wished everyone a happy and… MORE
Read more
On February 19, NYCHA hosted its 48th annual Black History Celebration in the Ceremonial Room at 90 Church Street. This year’s theme – “A Century of Black Life, History and Culture” – was introduced by Community Operations Bronx Borough Director Marlon Forbes, who noted that NYCHA has its own Black history to celebrate, including the… MORE
Read moreWelcome to NYCHANow, our new and improved employee newsletter. We’ve updated the design and distribution plan: you’ll receive NYCHANow in your email once a month to start. Please let us know how you like the newsletter and if you have events, accomplishments, program changes or other news that you want covered. You can reach us… MORE
Read more