Michael Corwin - NYCHA Now

The Fund for Public Housing (the Fund) and NYCHA, in partnership with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), National Grid, New York Power Authority (NYPA), Trinity Church Wall Street Philanthropies, NorthLight Foundation, and Rise Light & Power, recently announced the launch of the Clean Energy Academy. Over two years, the $2… Continue Reading The Clean Energy Academy Will Prepare Residents for Green Careers

August 2022 Health & Safety

August 15, 2022 Michael Corwin

It’s “Safe + Sound” Workplace Safety Week

Every August, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a federal agency, leads “Safe + Sound Week,” a national event to recognize the successes of workplace safety and health programs and offer information and ideas on how to keep America’s workers safe. In recognition of “Safe + Sound Week,” which is August 15-21 this year, NYCHA’s… Continue Reading It’s “Safe + Sound” Workplace Safety Week

August 2022 Highlighted

August 12, 2022 Michael Corwin

NYCHA Plumber Organizes Workshops for Girls

“Jobs don’t have genders,” says Judaline Cassidy, who first picked up plumbing tools 25 years ago and has been working in the industry ever since. Five years ago, she founded Tools and Tiaras, a non-profit committed to advancing the participation of females in traditionally male-dominated industries such as electrical, carpentry, plumbing, and auto mechanic trades.… Continue Reading NYCHA Plumber Organizes Workshops for Girls

August 2022 Featured Sustainability

August 2, 2022 Michael Corwin

$70M Initial Investment Will Decarbonize NYCHA Buildings with New Electric Heat Pumps

Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams joined the NYCHA, New York Power Authority (NYPA), and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to announce the Clean Heat for All Challenge (#CleanHeat4All or #CH4A) — making an initial $70 million investment in the development and production of 30,000 new heat pump units for use in New York City public housing facilities. Continue Reading $70M Initial Investment Will Decarbonize NYCHA Buildings with New Electric Heat Pumps

August 2022 Partnerships

August 2, 2022 Michael Corwin

NYCHA Hosts Baby Supplies Giveaway in the Bronx

On July 23, NYCHA’s Health Initiatives team – in collaboration with 30 partners such as the NYPD, Little Essentials, Bronx Cares, and Council Member Althea V. Stevens – organized a giveaway of baby and child essential items at Mullaly Park in the Bronx. Almost 500 residents and community members who are expecting or have a… Continue Reading NYCHA Hosts Baby Supplies Giveaway in the Bronx

Ask the Chair August 2022

August 1, 2022 Michael Corwin

Ask the Chair

Chair Russ Answers Your Questions Every month, Chair Greg Russ will respond to questions from staff on topics like operations, the future of the agency, and how we’re overcoming everyday challenges. Have a question for Chair Russ about NYCHA? Send it to AsktheChair@nycha.nyc.gov and check back here to see if it was selected to be answered.… Continue Reading Ask the Chair

August 2022

August 1, 2022 Michael Corwin

NYCHA’s “M/WBE In Action” Virtual Procurement Fair

NYCHA’s “M/WBE In Action” virtual event was hosted by the Authority’s Supply Management and Procurement Department on July 13, 2022, with over 100 City-certified Minority- and Women-owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE) firms from various industries in attendance. “M/WBE In Action” commemorated the one-year anniversary of the launch of NYCHA’s formal M/WBE program and was the first… Continue Reading NYCHA’s “M/WBE In Action” Virtual Procurement Fair

August 2022 Exceptional Colleagues

August 1, 2022 Michael Corwin

July Work Anniversaries

Kudos for Longtime Service to Residents and the City Each month, NYCHANow recognizes the staff who’ve achieved more than five years of service, in multiples of five. Congratulations to the employees who reached these milestones in July! 5 Years of Service 10 Years of Service 15 Years of Service 20 Years of Service 25 Years… Continue Reading July Work Anniversaries

July 2022

July 26, 2022 Michael Corwin

Coastal Storm Planning

Peak coastal storm season in NYC is from August through October every year. Make a plan to keep you and your family safe! When would I evacuate? • If necessary, the City would issue an Evacuation Recommendation or Evacuation Order for your hurricane zone. • If this order is issued, evacuate as soon as possible… Continue Reading Coastal Storm Planning

Health & Safety July 2022

July 21, 2022 Michael Corwin

July Is Extreme Heat Awareness Month

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines extreme heat as summertime temperatures that are much hotter and/or humid than average. Heat-related illness, like heat exhaustion or heat stroke, can happen when the body is not able to properly cool itself. While the body normally cools itself by sweating, during extreme heat, this might… Continue Reading July Is Extreme Heat Awareness Month

Employee Voices July 2022

July 21, 2022 Michael Corwin

Spotlight on NYCHA’s Runners Club

For more than three decades, NYCHA’s Runners Club has been a place of shared activity and health improvement for many employees who run in marathons and various corporate challenges. It is currently one of NYCHA’s most active employee associations, with social interactions taking place on running tracks as well as city parks. NYCHA Runners Club… Continue Reading Spotlight on NYCHA’s Runners Club

Employee Voices Exceptional Colleagues Highlighted July 2022

July 14, 2022 Michael Corwin

Making a Difference

Meet Ernesto Rodriguez, Administrative Training Coordinator at Learning & Development’s Maintenance Training Center Whenever Ernesto Rodriguez goes to a NYCHA development, he recognizes most of the property management and maintenance staff – because he trained them. Mr. Rodriguez is the Administrator of HR’s Maintenance Training Center, which equips assistant superintendents, superintendents, and field staff with… Continue Reading Making a Difference

July 2022 News to Use

July 13, 2022 Michael Corwin

NYCHA Employee Elected Treasurer of the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association

Raquel Miranda, Agency Attorney in NYCHA’s Law Department, was recently elected Treasurer of the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association (BWBA). The BWBA was established more than a century ago by nine women lawyers to achieve equality, diversity, fairness, and opportunities for women. It is affiliated with the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York… Continue Reading NYCHA Employee Elected Treasurer of the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association

July 2022 Sustainability

July 11, 2022 Michael Corwin

NYCHA Begins Design and Construction of State-of-the-Art Pneumatic Waste Collection System at Polo Grounds Towers

On Thursday, June 30, NYCHA officially gave a Notice to Proceed (NTP) to a construction team comprised of Navillus Contracting, Dewberry Engineers Inc., Marvel Architects, Landscape Architects, Urban Designers, PLLC, and Atreo (Pneumatic Waste Collection Systems), for work on a $31 million large-scale installation of a pneumatic waste collection system that will serve the NYCHA… Continue Reading NYCHA Begins Design and Construction of State-of-the-Art Pneumatic Waste Collection System at Polo Grounds Towers

Compliance July 2022

July 1, 2022 Michael Corwin

Inspiring a Compliance Culture

Read the Compliance Department’s Quarterly Newsletter Section 3 – Contractor and Development Partner Compliance What is Section 3? Section 3 is a requirement of the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Act of 1968. The purpose of Section 3 is to leverage HUD funding to provide new employment, training, and contracting opportunities to low- and very… Continue Reading Inspiring a Compliance Culture

Ask the Chair July 2022

July 1, 2022 Michael Corwin

Ask the Chair

Every month, Chair Greg Russ will respond to questions from staff on topics like operations, the future of the agency, and how we’re overcoming everyday challenges. Have a question for Chair Russ about NYCHA? Send it to AsktheChair@nycha.nyc.gov and check back here to see if it was selected to be answered. Continue Reading Ask the Chair

Exceptional Colleagues July 2022

July 1, 2022 Michael Corwin

June Work Anniversaries

Kudos for Longtime Service to Residents and the City Each month, NYCHANow recognizes the staff who’ve achieved more than five years of service, in multiples of five. Congratulations to the employees who reached these milestones in June! 5 Years of Service 10 Years of Service 15 Years of Service 20 Years of Service 25 Years… Continue Reading June Work Anniversaries

Health & Safety June 2022

June 30, 2022 Michael Corwin

Nominate Yourself or a Colleague for a Safety Award

In celebration of National Safety Month, which is every June, NYCHA is re-launching the Safety Awards Program. This year’s theme is “Safety Starts with Me,” which reaffirms the Authority’s commitment to preventing workplace injuries and to promoting workplace safety awareness. NYCHA’s Environmental Health and Safety Department (EHS) is accepting nominations for the NYCHA Safety Awards… Continue Reading Nominate Yourself or a Colleague for a Safety Award

Exceptional Colleagues Highlighted June 2022

June 30, 2022 Michael Corwin

Meet Antonia Zambrano, Assistant Director of LHD Central Office Operations

Twenty-three years ago, Antonia Zambrano submitted her resume at a job fair and shortly after became a NYCHA employee. Starting out as a Bilingual Housing Assistant for the Leased Housing Department, she is now the Assistant Director of the Leased Housing Department’s Central Office Operations. All of the positions Ms. Zambrano has held at the… Continue Reading Meet Antonia Zambrano, Assistant Director of LHD Central Office Operations

June 2022 Partnerships

June 23, 2022 Michael Corwin

Betances Residence Opens in the Bronx

On June 16, NYCHA and partners, including Breaking Ground (New York’s largest supportive housing developer), celebrated the opening of Betances Residence in the South Bronx. The new building brings 152 units of affordable and supportive housing to the Mott Haven neighborhood, in addition to a new community facility space and landscaped courtyard. Betances is a… Continue Reading Betances Residence Opens in the Bronx

Employee Voices June 2022

June 17, 2022 Michael Corwin

Spotlight on NYCHA’s Chinese-American Association

The Chinese-American Association (CAA) is one of many employee associations at NYCHA. The association was created almost three decades ago to promote Chinese language and culture and to strengthen bonds among co-workers. Currently, the CAA has more than 200 members, including several retired employees who remain active in the association. In May, the CAA observed… Continue Reading Spotlight on NYCHA’s Chinese-American Association

June 2022 Public Housing Preservation Trust

June 16, 2022 Michael Corwin

Governor Signs Legislation Establishing the Public Housing Preservation Trust

On June 16, Governor Kathy Hochul signed new legislation S.9409-A /A.7805-D establishing the New York City Public Housing Preservation Trust and paving the way for the overdue repair, rehabilitation, and modernization of 25,000 apartments under control of the New York City Housing Authority. Governor Hochul signed the bills alongside New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Assembly Member Steven… Continue Reading Governor Signs Legislation Establishing the Public Housing Preservation Trust

Employee Voices Highlighted June 2022

June 15, 2022 Michael Corwin

Meet Cherry McCutchen, Director of Learning and Development

June is National Pride Month, which commemorates the 1969 Stonewall uprising and recognizes the impact and contributions of individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ+). In honor of Pride Month, we’re highlighting the work of NYCHA’s LGBTQ+ employees. “I’m ‘Cherry.’ I don’t ascribe to labels or pronouns. If someone asks how… Continue Reading Meet Cherry McCutchen, Director of Learning and Development

Highlighted June 2022 Public Housing Preservation Trust

June 14, 2022 Michael Corwin

Passage of the Public Housing Preservation Trust Legislation

Dear Colleagues, The passage this month of the Public Housing Preservation Trust by the State legislature is truly a momentous occasion in the history of public housing – here in New York City and across the nation – and a big step forward for NYCHA residents. The Trust will allow us to complete billions of… Continue Reading Passage of the Public Housing Preservation Trust Legislation

Employee Voices June 2022

June 10, 2022 Michael Corwin

NYCHA’s Jewish Heritage Month Celebration

On May 24, Batei Tsibur, NYCHA’s organization of Jewish employees, hosted its annual Jewish Heritage Celebration at the 90 Church Street Ceremonial Room. This year’s guest speaker was Rabbi Eliezer Avtzon, who spoke about his recent trip to Europe to assist Ukrainian refugees impacted by the war. Rabbi Avtzon is the Director of the Global… Continue Reading NYCHA’s Jewish Heritage Month Celebration

COVID-19 June 2022 Partnerships

June 8, 2022 Michael Corwin

Bringing COVID-19 Tests Close to Home

Since April, NYCHA, in partnership with resident associations, has been distributing free at-home rapid COVID-19 tests to NYCHA residents across the city. Each household is eligible to receive four tests (two test kits) along with two eight-ounce bottles of hand sanitizer. Over 600,000 test kits were provided to NYCHA by New York State for distribution.… Continue Reading Bringing COVID-19 Tests Close to Home

Environmental Health & Safety Health & Safety June 2022

June 7, 2022 Michael Corwin

Healthy Happenings

Read the Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Department’s Spring/Summer 2022 Newsletter, which features the Building Systems Safety Unit (BSSU).

Continue Reading Healthy Happenings

Ask the Chair June 2022

June 3, 2022 Michael Corwin

Ask the Chair

Exceptional Colleagues June 2022

June 1, 2022 Michael Corwin

May Work Anniversaries

Kudos for Longtime Service to Residents and the City Each month, NYCHANow recognizes the staff who’ve achieved more than five years of service, in multiples of five. Congratulations to the employees who reached these milestones in May! 5 Years of Service 10 Years of Service 15 Years of Service 20 Years of Service 25 Years… Continue Reading May Work Anniversaries

GFOA Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting

Exceptional Colleagues May 2022

May 31, 2022 Michael Corwin

NYCHA Recognized for Excellence in Financial Reporting

Awarded for 18th Year in a Row On Thursday, May 12, the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada awarded the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) with a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year that ended on December… Continue Reading NYCHA Recognized for Excellence in Financial Reporting

May 2022 Partnerships Sustainability

May 25, 2022 Michael Corwin

NYCHA Celebrates New Community Garden at Manhattanville Houses

NYCHA has a long-standing commitment to fostering resident access to green spaces at its developments. A 2017 survey of NYCHA gardens, conducted by the NYC Parks Department’s GreenThumb program, counted 595 gardens at 146 NYCHA developments. One recent community garden was created at Manhattanville Houses in West Harlem by former NYCHA residents in partnership with… Continue Reading NYCHA Celebrates New Community Garden at Manhattanville Houses

Health & Safety May 2022

May 23, 2022 Michael Corwin

Indoor Air Quality at NYCHA

NYCHA’s Environmental Health and Safety Department’s Indoor Air Quality Oversight Team (IAQOT) identifies and addresses hazards that impact air quality, such as mold, leaks, asbestos, toxic gases, and other airborne contaminants. The IAQOT includes one administrator and five specialists, who perform a range of health hazards investigations and oversight of mold remediations to ensure that… Continue Reading Indoor Air Quality at NYCHA

Health & Safety May 2022

May 21, 2022 Michael Corwin

Spotlight on NYCHA’s Relocation Team

Most of the time, major apartment repairs can be completed while NYCHA residents still live in their apartment. But on the rare occasions when NYCHA residents need to temporarily move to another apartment or hotel due to necessary renovation or repair work, the relocation unit in NYCHA’s Family Partnerships Department comes to their aid. In… Continue Reading Spotlight on NYCHA’s Relocation Team

May 2022 PACT

May 20, 2022 Michael Corwin

$434 Million in Comprehensive Renovations Completed at 9 Developments

Resident Association Leaders, PACT Partners Deliver Comprehensive Apartment Upgrades, Renovated Community Spaces, and Infrastructure Enhancements That Will Improve Public Safety and Quality of Life for More Than 6,000 Brooklynites On May 20, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Regional Administrator Alicka Ampry-Samuel, NYCHA Chair and CEO Greg… Continue Reading $434 Million in Comprehensive Renovations Completed at 9 Developments

Employee Voices Health & Safety May 2022

May 19, 2022 Michael Corwin

Meet the OEM Field Coordinators Team

NYCHA’s Office of Emergency Management’s (OEM) Field Coordinators program improves the coordination of response efforts to emergency incidents across the Authority. Before becoming a permanent program, the initiative was launched in 2019 as a six-month pilot program, with 12 on-call field coordinators managing day-to-day communications between different responding departments (and, in some cases, other City agencies).… Continue Reading Meet the OEM Field Coordinators Team

May 2022 Partnerships

May 18, 2022 Michael Corwin

Celebrating Graduates of NYCHA’s Construction Training

Sixteen NYCHA residents recently graduated from the NYCHA Resident Training Academy’s (NRTA) construction training. The training was conducted by the Business & Industry Workforce Training Center at CUNY’s New York City College of Technology. The NRTA is a collaboration among NYCHA, the Robin Hood Foundation, and a variety of premier training providers in New York… Continue Reading Celebrating Graduates of NYCHA’s Construction Training

May 2022 Partnerships Sustainability

May 16, 2022 Michael Corwin

NYCHA’s Mattress Recycling Featured in Circular City Week

On May 3, NYCHA’s mattress recycling program, NYC’s first and only mattress recycling program, was discussed during Circular City Week, an open collaborative festival dedicated to topics about circular economy (that is, an economy where goods are reused and recycled as much as possible). Circular City Week is the biggest circular economy festival in the… Continue Reading NYCHA’s Mattress Recycling Featured in Circular City Week

May 2022

May 11, 2022 Michael Corwin

Resident Engagement’s Mother’s Day Celebration

On May 6, NYCHA’s Resident Engagement Department (RED) celebrated Mother’s Day with a special breakfast organized by men to honor the women of the department. Community Coordinator Kevin Peacock organizes Mother’s Day celebrations every year, and said that this year’s celebration was especially festive for the women in RED.

May 2022 Sustainability

May 10, 2022 Michael Corwin

Preschoolers at Smith Houses Compost Food Scraps

The Hamilton-Madison House preschool, located at NYCHA’s Smith Houses in Manhattan, installed a compost bin so preschoolers can compost food scraps from their lunches and snacks. The bin was established with funding from City Council Member Christopher Marte and is maintained by Earth Matter, a non-profit dedicated to advancing composting in the metropolitan area. The… Continue Reading Preschoolers at Smith Houses Compost Food Scraps

May 2022 NYCHA Leadership

May 4, 2022 Michael Corwin

Discussing Data Sharing with NYCHA’s Chief Information Officer

NYCHA’s Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer Patti Bayross recently participated in City & State’s Creating a Culture of Data Sharing panel, which brought together data and information leaders in public service to discuss how to foster a data-sharing culture in government. Ms. Bayross spoke about how information technology and data sharing at… Continue Reading Discussing Data Sharing with NYCHA’s Chief Information Officer

Ask the Chair May 2022

May 2, 2022 Michael Corwin

Ask the Chair

Health & Safety May 2022

May 2, 2022 Michael Corwin

Air Quality Awareness Week

Be Air Aware & Prepared Air Quality Awareness Week is May 2 to 6 this year, and NYCHA’s Environmental Health and Safety Department is celebrating the national “Be Air Aware & Prepared” campaign by providing the following information on how you can check the air quality in your community and look out for triggers that… Continue Reading Air Quality Awareness Week

May 2022

May 1, 2022 Michael Corwin

April Work Anniversaries

Kudos for Longtime Service to Residents and the City Each month, NYCHANow recognizes the staff who’ve achieved more than five years of service, in multiples of five. Congratulations to the employees who reached these milestones in April! 5 Years of Service 10 Years of Service 15 Years of Service 20 Years of Service 25 Years… Continue Reading April Work Anniversaries

April 2022 Health & Safety Partnerships

April 29, 2022 Michael Corwin

Mobile Prostate Cancer Screening Unit Available for NYCHA Residents

NYCHA residents from Harlem, the Upper East Side, and Queens can now check their prostate health at the Mount Sinai Robert F. Smith Mobile Prostate Cancer Screening Unit. The mobile van – which is the result of collaboration between NYCHA, the “One Hundred Black Men” non-profit, and Mount Sinai’s Department of Urology – was launched… Continue Reading Mobile Prostate Cancer Screening Unit Available for NYCHA Residents

April 2022 Employee Voices

April 21, 2022 Michael Corwin

Participate in the NYC Speaks Ideas Challenge

Dear City Employee, Thank you to everyone who supported the first phase of NYC Speaks, the largest policy survey ever to be completed in NYC! With your support, we received 62,000 responses – of which a remarkable 16,000 responses came from City workers. After successfully completing Phase 1 of the initiative, we are excited to… Continue Reading Participate in the NYC Speaks Ideas Challenge

April 2022 Sustainability

April 20, 2022 Michael Corwin

NYCHA’s Waste Calculator to Efficiently Manage Waste and Increase Recycling

Waste management is one of the most complex challenges that NYCHA faces. Since the release of NYCHA’s 2.0 Waste Management Plan in 2019 and NYCHA’s new Sustainability Agenda in 2021, NYCHA is making comprehensive changes to its waste management practices and infrastructure. One outcome of these changes has been the NYCHA Waste Calculator. NYCHA generates… Continue Reading NYCHA’s Waste Calculator to Efficiently Manage Waste and Increase Recycling

April 2022 Sustainability

April 20, 2022 Michael Corwin

$72 Million of Heating System Improvements Coming to Marble Hill and Berry Houses

On April 19, NYCHA and the New York Power Authority (NYPA) announced the start of construction on energy-efficient heating upgrades at Marble Hill Houses in the Bronx and Berry Houses on Staten Island. The $72 million projects will provide greater heat and hot water service for more than 4,000 residents across 2,100 public housing apartments… Continue Reading $72 Million of Heating System Improvements Coming to Marble Hill and Berry Houses

April 2022 NYCHA Notes

April 14, 2022 Michael Corwin

New Development-based Schedules for Janitorial Staff

Spring weather is on the way, and so are cleaner grounds and buildings! As a result of consistent feedback from residents and staff, along with data from multiple evaluations, NYCHA is ending the Alternative Work Schedule (AWS) program for Caretakers and Supervisors and adopting a new, flexible model for staff scheduling. This will give each… Continue Reading New Development-based Schedules for Janitorial Staff

April 2022 Health & Safety

April 14, 2022 Michael Corwin

April Is Spring Safety Awareness Month

Plan – Prepare – Prevent Now that it’s spring, we need to be aware of unpredictable weather patterns. Temperatures can swing back and forth between balmy and frigid. Sunny days may be followed by a week of stormy weather. Sometimes extreme weather changes can occur even within the same day. That’s why the Centers for… Continue Reading April Is Spring Safety Awareness Month

April 2022 NYCHA Leadership

April 11, 2022 Michael Corwin

NYCHA Chair Russ Discusses Housing Preservation at Crain’s Power Breakfast

On April 6, NYCHA’s Chair and Chief Executive Officer Gregory Russ was interviewed by Crain’s New York Business Editor-in-Chief Cory Schouten as part of this year’s first “Crain’s Power Breakfast.” Approximately 150 business and nonprofit executives and government leaders attended the event, including Jessica Katz, the City’s Chief Housing Officer. Chair Russ discussed how a… Continue Reading NYCHA Chair Russ Discusses Housing Preservation at Crain’s Power Breakfast

April 2022 Partnerships

April 11, 2022 Michael Corwin

13 NYCHA-owned Houses to Be Rehabilitated and Sold to Low- and Moderate-income New Yorkers

Sixteen eligible families will have an opportunity to purchase their first home through “Habitat Net Zero,” a project bringing long-term affordable homeownership opportunities to Southeast Queens. Through the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s (HPD) Open Door program, 13 vacant, dilapidated, previously NYCHA-owned houses will be rehabilitated into 16 new Passive House standards homes… Continue Reading 13 NYCHA-owned Houses to Be Rehabilitated and Sold to Low- and Moderate-income New Yorkers

April 2022 Exceptional Colleagues

April 5, 2022 Michael Corwin

Meet Kimberly Taylor, Director of Public Housing Tenancy Operations

Kimberly Taylor, who grew up at Manhattan’s Johnson Houses, is now the Authority’s Director of Public Housing Tenancy Operations. But when her NYCHA career journey began nearly four decades ago, she was an Emergency Services Aide in the Emergency Services Department (ESD). Back then, in 1984, work tickets were written out by hand and then… Continue Reading Meet Kimberly Taylor, Director of Public Housing Tenancy Operations

April 2022 IT News and Notes News to Use

April 4, 2022 Michael Corwin

Free Internet Installed at 3 NYCHA Developments

On March 26, three Manhattan NYCHA developments – Riis, Wald, and Baruch Houses – celebrated the launch of free internet service for residents provided by Flume Internet. The initiative is part of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides eligible households with a discount on broadband service and connected devices. ACP seeks to ensure that… Continue Reading Free Internet Installed at 3 NYCHA Developments

April 2022 Ask the Chair

April 1, 2022 Michael Corwin

Ask the Chair

April 2022

April 1, 2022 Michael Corwin

March Work Anniversaries

Each month, NYCHANow recognizes the staff who’ve achieved more than five years of service, in multiples of five. Congratulations to the employees who reached these milestones in March! 5 Years of Service 10 Years of Service 15 Years of Service 20 Years of Service 25 Years of Service 30 Years of Service 35 Years of… Continue Reading March Work Anniversaries

Exceptional Colleagues March 2022

March 28, 2022 Michael Corwin

Women’s History Month: A Spotlight on Women at NYCHA

This year’s National Women’s History theme, “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope,” is both a tribute to the ceaseless and vital work of caregivers and front-line workers (especially during a pandemic) as well as a recognition of the countless ways that women have provided healing and hope throughout history. We’d like to honor the contributions to… Continue Reading Women’s History Month: A Spotlight on Women at NYCHA

IT News and Notes March 2022 NYCHA Leadership

March 28, 2022 Michael Corwin

NYCHA’s Chief Information Officer Talks About Our Tech

NYCHA’s Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer Patti Bayross recently participated in City & State’s 2022 Digital New York Summit, which brought together technology and information leaders for thought-provoking conversations about their work. Ms. Bayross was part of a panel titled “Using Technology to Impact our Communities,” which provided her the opportunity to present… Continue Reading NYCHA’s Chief Information Officer Talks About Our Tech

Compliance March 2022

March 28, 2022 Michael Corwin

Inspiring a Compliance Culture

Read the Compliance Department’s Quarterly Newsletter Restart of PHAS REAC Inspections Background Nearly two years after being put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) restarted Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS) Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) inspections at NYCHA developments in January 2022. With the restart… Continue Reading Inspiring a Compliance Culture

March 2022 Sustainability

March 25, 2022 Michael Corwin

Green City Force Graduates its 22nd Cohort of NYCHA Residents

In March, Green City Force (GCF) celebrated the graduation of its 22nd Cohort via Zoom, 22 members who began their service to NYCHA communities during the pandemic. GCF is an AmeriCorps program that provides NYCHA residents ages 18 to 24 with full-time service projects, training, and education on sustainability and green technologies, as well as… Continue Reading Green City Force Graduates its 22nd Cohort of NYCHA Residents

March 2022 NYCHA Leadership

March 24, 2022 Michael Corwin

Moving NYCHA Forward: Better Service, Stronger Support

Watch this video from Chief Operating Officer Daniel Sherrod to learn more about his vision for the Authority:

Health & Safety March 2022 Sustainability

March 22, 2022 Michael Corwin

NYCHA Observes World Water Day

March 22 is World Water Day, an opportunity to reflect on the importance of access to safe, fresh water. Stormwater management solutions, for example, are a vital part of NYCHA’s Sustainability Agenda, and several initiatives focused on this important work are currently underway. One of them is NYCHA’s Climate Adaptation Plan, which outlines the Authority’s approach to… Continue Reading NYCHA Observes World Water Day

March 2022 NYCHA Leadership

March 17, 2022 Michael Corwin

Chair Russ Featured on “YIMBY Nation” Podcast

NYCHA’s Chair and Chief Executive Officer Greg Russ was recently featured in an episode of “YIMBY Nation,” a podcast hosted by Jimmy Lee Miller, Vincencia Adusei, and Peter J. Wood that provides a forum for affordable housing professionals to discuss their work. During the half-hour conversation, Chair Russ highlighted the Authority’s efforts to revitalize its buildings, the… Continue Reading Chair Russ Featured on “YIMBY Nation” Podcast

Exceptional Colleagues March 2022 NYCHA Leadership

March 16, 2022 Michael Corwin

Meet Lisa Bova-Hiatt, Executive Vice President for Legal Affairs & General Counsel

Twenty-seven years ago, when Lisa Bova-Hiatt started her career at the New York City Law Department, Office of the Corporation Counsel, she didn’t know the turns her career would take over the years – but she knew for sure that she wanted to serve the city where she was born and grew up. Since then,… Continue Reading Meet Lisa Bova-Hiatt, Executive Vice President for Legal Affairs & General Counsel

March 2022

March 11, 2022 Michael Corwin

Resident Roundtable Member Spotlight

Aissata Diaby, East River Houses Aissata Diaby is one of the 32 members of the Resident Roundtable, a committee launched in June 2021 to ensure that residents continue to play an important role in NYCHA’s Transformation Plan. Resident Roundtable members serve for two years and are tasked with gaining input from fellow residents to help identify… Continue Reading Resident Roundtable Member Spotlight

Health & Safety March 2022

March 10, 2022 Michael Corwin

Healthy Start @ NYCHA Program Launches with Baby Shower at Ingersoll Houses

On March 5, NYCHA’s Health Initiatives team, in partnership with over 20 organizations, hosted a Baby Shower Resource Fair at Ingersoll Houses in Brooklyn. Expecting and pregnant NYCHA residents from across the city received baby and child supplies such as diapers, blankets, books, baby bouncers, pajamas, stuffed animals, baby bags, medicine kits, gift cards, baby… Continue Reading Healthy Start @ NYCHA Program Launches with Baby Shower at Ingersoll Houses

March 2022

March 9, 2022 Michael Corwin

$28.6M in Heating Upgrades at Taft Houses and Whitman Houses

On March 9, NYCHA announced the completion of $28.6 million in large-scale heating system renovations: the $9.8 million installation of eight new steam and condensate pipes at Taft Houses in Harlem and the $18.8 million installation of four new boilers and related upgrades at Whitman Houses in Brooklyn. Collectively, the investments ensure more reliable heat… Continue Reading $28.6M in Heating Upgrades at Taft Houses and Whitman Houses

March 2022 Sustainability

March 8, 2022 Michael Corwin

Presenting NYCHA’s Decarbonization Efforts

Two NYCHA leaders – Vice President for Energy and Sustainability Vlada Kenniff and Acting Deputy Director of Energy and Sustainability Edwin Mendez – discussed the Authority’s work on decarbonization and sustainability at two notable public events recently. Edwin Mendez attended the “AEG Thought Summit 2022: Critical Infrastructure, Equity and Resilience,” where he discussed NYCHA’s energy… Continue Reading Presenting NYCHA’s Decarbonization Efforts

Ask the Chair March 2022

March 8, 2022 Michael Corwin

Ask the Chair

March 2022

March 4, 2022 Michael Corwin

Apply Now for the Summer Youth Employment Program!

New Yorkers ages 14 to 24 can apply now for the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)! A record 90,000 SYEP opportunities will be available this summer. Special initiatives are available for youth who live at select NYCHA developments. “Providing programs like SYEP for young New Yorkers keeps them… Continue Reading Apply Now for the Summer Youth Employment Program!

March 2022 PACT

March 2, 2022 Michael Corwin

PACT Partners to Provide $360M in Comprehensive Repairs for Reid Apartments and Park Rock Consolidated

Over 3,600 residents will receive renovated apartments, building infrastructure upgrades, and redesigned public spaces A team with several New York-based MBEs and the Local Development Corporation of East New York will guide the scope of repairs and coordinate social services On March 2, NYCHA formally announced the selection of BRP Companies, Urbane, and Fairstead as… Continue Reading PACT Partners to Provide $360M in Comprehensive Repairs for Reid Apartments and Park Rock Consolidated

March 2022

March 1, 2022 Michael Corwin

February Work Anniversaries

Kudos for Longtime Service to Residents and the City Each month, NYCHANow recognizes the staff who’ve achieved more than five years of service, in multiples of five. Congratulations to the employees who reached these milestones in February! 5 Years of Service 10 Years of Service 15 Years of Service 20 Years of Service 25 Years… Continue Reading February Work Anniversaries

Employee Voices February 2022

February 28, 2022 Michael Corwin

NYCHA NAACP Branch’s Black Health and Wellness Event

On February 23, NYCHA’s branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) hosted an event focused on Black health and wellness as part of their Black History Month celebrations. The event was held at NYCHA’s offices at 1200 Waters Place in the Bronx. Guest speakers included Chief Operating Officer Daniel Sherrod;… Continue Reading NYCHA NAACP Branch’s Black Health and Wellness Event

February 2022 NYCHA Leadership

February 25, 2022 Michael Corwin

Chair Russ Participates in Future of Construction Summit

On February 24, NYCHA’s Chair and Chief Executive Officer Greg Russ participated in a virtual panel discussion organized by “City and State,” a media organization covering New York’s local and state politics and policy. The event, titled “Future of Construction in New York,” was moderated by Deputy State Politics Reporter Rebecca Lewis. The panel consisted… Continue Reading Chair Russ Participates in Future of Construction Summit

Exceptional Colleagues February 2022

February 23, 2022 Michael Corwin

Making a Difference

Meet Sue Ellen Doria, Senior Management Trainer If you’re a NYCHA employee, you’ve probably already met Sue Ellen Doria. She is the first person to meet and greet all NYCHA employees on their first day on the job. That’s because Ms. Doria is the lead trainer for new employee orientation training, imparting important tips about… Continue Reading Making a Difference

February 2022 PACT

February 17, 2022 Michael Corwin

NYCHA and HDC Finalize Deal to Begin $236 Million Renovation at Harlem River

On February 17, NYCHA and the New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC) closed on the financing of the latest Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) transaction to fund comprehensive renovations for 690 apartments (as well as the construction of three apartments) at Harlem River Houses and the adjoining Harlem River II campus. This latest conversion… Continue Reading NYCHA and HDC Finalize Deal to Begin $236 Million Renovation at Harlem River

February 2022

February 16, 2022 Michael Corwin

Spotlight on the NAACP at NYCHA

There are currently 13 registered active employee associations at NYCHA. One of those is NYCHA’s branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), which advocates for social and criminal justice, healthcare, education, climate, economic development, racial equity, and youth. NAACP’s NYCHA branch was formed in 1969 and currently has about 500… Continue Reading Spotlight on the NAACP at NYCHA

February 2022 PACT Partnerships

February 10, 2022 Michael Corwin

NYCHA Establishes PACT Resource Team to Facilitate Resident Involvement in PACT

NYCHA has partnered with local organizations to launch the new PACT Resource Team. The team is currently recruiting technical advisors who will consult with and support residents in developments selected for PACT (the Permanent Affordability Commitment Together program). NYCHA’s partners in the initiative include Local Initiatives Support Corporation New York City (LISC NYC), Public Works… Continue Reading NYCHA Establishes PACT Resource Team to Facilitate Resident Involvement in PACT

February 2022 NYCHA Leadership

February 9, 2022 Michael Corwin

Meet Daniel Sherrod, NYCHA’s New Chief Operating Officer

Daniel Sherrod was appointed Chief Operating Officer of the New York City Housing Authority in January 2022. We spoke with him recently to get to know him and his vision for NYCHA. Read on to get acquainted as well… How does it feel to be NYCHA’s Chief Operating Officer? I think it’s a privilege. NYCHA… Continue Reading Meet Daniel Sherrod, NYCHA’s New Chief Operating Officer

Exceptional Colleagues February 2022 Sustainability

February 9, 2022 Michael Corwin

Making a Difference

Meet Edwin Mendez, Acting Deputy Director of Energy & Sustainability Programs in the Capital Projects Division Since his very first day at NYCHA, Edwin Mendez has worked in various energy-efficiency programs in the Energy and Sustainability Programs Department. In fact, his first role at the Authority – an internship in 2006 – later became Mr.… Continue Reading Making a Difference

February 2022 News to Use

February 8, 2022 Michael Corwin

Free Tax Prep for NYCHA Residents

There are numerous organizations offering NYCHA public housing residents and NYCHA Section 8 voucher holders the opportunity to file taxes for free. For instance, file your taxes with NYC Free Tax Prep (from the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection) to save on tax prep fees and claim valuable tax credits. Learn more at nyc.gov/taxprep. The… Continue Reading Free Tax Prep for NYCHA Residents

February 2022 Health & Safety

February 7, 2022 Michael Corwin

Burn Awareness Week Is February 6-12

In recognition of Burn Awareness Week, NYCHA’s Environmental Health & Safety Fire Safety Oversight Team wants to let you know that cooking safety awareness is one way to prevent fires, and that fires are not the only burn hazard (boiling water, frying, or grilling can also cause burns). The theme of this year’s Burn Awareness… Continue Reading Burn Awareness Week Is February 6-12

February 2022

February 1, 2022 Michael Corwin

January Work Anniversaries

Kudos for Longtime Service to Residents and the City Each month, NYCHANow recognizes the staff who’ve achieved more than five years of service, in multiples of five. Congratulations to the employees who reached these milestones in January! 5 Years of Service 10 Years of Service 15 Years of Service 20 Years of Service 25 Years… Continue Reading January Work Anniversaries

January 2022

January 24, 2022 Michael Corwin

New Executive Appointments

Dear Colleagues, We continue to make updates to our organization to strengthen the Authority and our service to residents. I am pleased to announce the following appointments to our leadership team that were made this month. Daniel Sherrod, our new Chief Operating Officer, is now on board at NYCHA. In collaboration with his current employer, the U.S. Department of… Continue Reading New Executive Appointments

Exceptional Colleagues January 2022

January 24, 2022 Michael Corwin

Making a Difference

Meet Jeffrey Sanders, Supervisor of Special Initiatives in the Pest Control Department Formerly a regional manager of a healthcare company’s marketing team, Jeffrey Sanders took a new direction in his career by joining NYCHA in 2019. Mr. Sanders was hired to supervise the work to install door sweeps across the portfolio. After all the necessary… Continue Reading Making a Difference

Mattress Recycling program outreach during 2021 Ravenwood's Family Day

January 2022 Sustainability

January 20, 2022 Michael Corwin

NYCHA Is Now Recycling Mattresses at Dozens of Developments

Since July 2021, NYCHA has collected and recycled more than 2,800 old mattresses (150 tons worth) from 27 developments in all five boroughs through its mattress recycling program. Instead of taking up to 90 years to decompose in landfills, 80 percent of the collected mattresses were recycled or repurposed, creating carpet padding and soundproofing materials.… Continue Reading NYCHA Is Now Recycling Mattresses at Dozens of Developments

Employee Voices January 2022

January 20, 2022 Michael Corwin

What Do You Want to Tell the New Mayor?

NYC Speaks survey deadline extended to Friday, February 11! Dear City Employee, We appreciate your hard work over these very challenging years. As we make our way toward recovery, we invite you to bring all that you’ve done and learned to help shape the priorities and policies of the Adams administration. NYC Speaks is a… Continue Reading What Do You Want to Tell the New Mayor?

January 2022 PACT

January 19, 2022 Michael Corwin

NYCHA Reopens Annual Request for Qualifications for a Range of PACT Partners

NYCHA has pre-qualified 201 entities, 37 minority- and women-owned firms, and 38 non-profit social service providers in the effort to bring comprehensive repairs and resources to 62,000 apartments with PACT On January 19, NYCHA announced the re-release of the PACT Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to solicit partners for the Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program. The RFQ supports the… Continue Reading NYCHA Reopens Annual Request for Qualifications for a Range of PACT Partners

January 2022

January 18, 2022 Michael Corwin

NYCHA Boosts Emergency Response with Field Coordinators Program

NYCHA’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) created a permanent Emergency Field Coordinators program to improve the coordination of response to emergency incidents across the Authority. The initiative was tested in 2020 when OEM launched a six-month pilot program, hiring 12 on-call field coordinators who managed day-to-day communications between different responding agencies. After the pilot program… Continue Reading NYCHA Boosts Emergency Response with Field Coordinators Program

COVID-19 January 2022

January 18, 2022 Michael Corwin

Get Free At-Home COVID Tests!

Attention NYCHA staff: Did you know that every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests. The tests are completely free and will usually ship in 7-12 days. Order them here: https://www.covidtests.gov/ As always, you can find an in-person COVID-19 testing site near you by visiting nyc.gov/covidtest or texting “COVID TEST” to 855-48.

January 2022 NYCHA Partners Sustainability

January 12, 2022 Michael Corwin

A Fruitful Endeavor: Farms at NYCHA

In 2021, NYCHA farms produced 22,000 pounds of organic fresh vegetables, greens, and herbs. There are currently seven farms on the Authority’s open spaces. The inaugural farm at Red Hook Houses was launched in 2013. The other six farms are located at Wagner Houses, Howard Houses, Bay View Houses, Forest Houses, Mariners Harbor Houses, and… Continue Reading A Fruitful Endeavor: Farms at NYCHA

January 2022

January 7, 2022 Michael Corwin

Ensuring Safety at NYCHA Through Compliance Visits

Since January 2020, a team of NYCHA’s compliance, safety, and quality assurance experts have been making regular visits to NYCHA developments to inspect their buildings and grounds. Since the start of the program, 39 NYCHA developments have been inspected and assessed according to protocols. NYCHA’s Environmental Health and Safety team checks for issues related to… Continue Reading Ensuring Safety at NYCHA Through Compliance Visits

Exceptional Colleagues January 2022

January 6, 2022 Michael Corwin

Making a Difference

Meet Elena Tenchikova, Senior Director of NYCHA’s Office of Mold Assessment and Remediation (OMAR) Elena Tenchikova first stepped into a NYCHA office 10 years ago, as a NYC Civic Corps volunteer. She was assigned to be a liaison to the Authority’s resident green committees, which are organized groups of NYCHA residents volunteering to beautify their developments.… Continue Reading Making a Difference

Compliance January 2022

January 6, 2022 Michael Corwin

Inspiring a Compliance Culture

Read the Compliance Department’s Quarterly Newsletter Development Risk Scoring Assessment Background Compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations and NYCHA’s standard procedures (SP) is vital to NYCHA’s mission to provide safe and affordable housing to its residents. To help meet this goal, the Compliance Integration Reporting and Evaluation (CIRE) Unit in the Compliance… Continue Reading Inspiring a Compliance Culture

January 2022

January 3, 2022 Michael Corwin

December Work Anniversaries

Kudos for Longtime Service to Residents and the City Each month, NYCHANow recognizes the staff who’ve achieved more than five years of service, in multiples of five. Congratulations to the employees who reached these milestones in December! 5 Years of Service 10 Years of Service 15 Years of Service 20 Years of Service 25 Years… Continue Reading December Work Anniversaries

Photo Caption: NYCHA's Elevator Performance Chart

December 2021

December 30, 2021 Michael Corwin

NYCHA STAT Monthly Meetings Return

Throughout 2021, the Authority’s executive team held monthly virtual meetings to conduct a transparent review of performance at the NYCHA-wide, borough, neighborhood, and development levels. During these NYCHA Statistics, Trends, and Tracking (STAT) meetings, over a hundred employees from various departments, including property management, gather to review and explain trends on key performance metrics such… Continue Reading NYCHA STAT Monthly Meetings Return

December 2021 PACT

December 22, 2021 Michael Corwin

New PACT Projects to Bring Repairs & Quality Property Management for 3,100 Apartments

The latest Request for Expressions of Interest will maintain the Authority’s focus on proposals that showcase robust resident engagement approaches, diverse partnership teams, and community-enhancing urban designs. On December 22, NYCHA released a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) to attract development partners for new projects under the Authority’s Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program… Continue Reading New PACT Projects to Bring Repairs & Quality Property Management for 3,100 Apartments

December 2021

December 21, 2021 Michael Corwin

Hernandez Houses Residents Celebrate New Playground

On December 17, residents and staff of Rafael Hernandez Houses in Manhattan organized a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the comprehensive grounds renovations at the development. The million-dollar project, which was funded by Council Member Margaret Chin, involved renovation of the entire front yard, including replacement of the entrance stairs and handicap ramp and creation of… Continue Reading Hernandez Houses Residents Celebrate New Playground

December 2021 Sustainability

December 20, 2021 Michael Corwin

NYCHA & Partners Announce Innovation Challenge for “Clean Energy” Heating/Cooling Systems

On December 20, NYCHA, the New York Power Authority (NYPA), and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) launched the Clean Heat for All Challenge (#CleanHeat4All), an industry competition directed at heating and cooling equipment manufacturers to develop a new electrification product that can better serve the needs of existing multifamily buildings… Continue Reading NYCHA & Partners Announce Innovation Challenge for “Clean Energy” Heating/Cooling Systems

December 2021

December 20, 2021 Michael Corwin

Chair Russ Participates in “City Hall Stories” Podcast

NYCHA Chair Greg Russ was recently featured in an episode of “City Hall Stories,” a podcast hosted by Jack English about leaders in local government from cities all over the world. During the half-hour conversation, which was part of the podcast’s series on New York City, Chair Russ discussed the Authority’s plans to address its… Continue Reading Chair Russ Participates in “City Hall Stories” Podcast

December 2021 PACT

December 17, 2021 Michael Corwin

$260 Million in Comprehensive Repairs Coming to Frederick Samuel Apartments

On December 17, NYCHA formally announced the selection of Genesis Companies and Lemor Development Group as the development team to deliver comprehensive building and apartment upgrades for nearly 1,400 residents and more than 660 apartments at Frederick Samuel Apartments in Manhattan. The selected PACT partners will further engage residents and continue to refine their plans… Continue Reading $260 Million in Comprehensive Repairs Coming to Frederick Samuel Apartments