The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded $24.7 million to NYCHA to address safety and security issues that may impact residents’ health and safety, as well as to help protect public housing properties against crime and drug-related activity. “We are thankful to HUD for recognizing the importance of improving the health… Continue Reading HUD Awards NYCHA $24.7M for Safety & Security Measures
Read More
NYCHA, the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, and the Housing Development Corporation recently announced the closing of Twin Parks Terrace, a new development that will consist of 182 affordable apartments on underutilized NYCHA-owned land in the Bronx. Construction is anticipated to start in January 2021. Twin Parks Terrace will be located… Continue Reading NYCHA Finalizes Deal to Construct 182 Affordable Apartments in the Bronx
Read More
Marvin Walton, the new NYCHA Vice President of Operations for Manhattan, certainly knows the ins and outs of managing public housing developments. For over two decades, Mr. Walton has played a critical role at four different housing authorities, helping to identify challenges and opportunities for improvements that directly benefit the residents of the communities he… Continue Reading Marvin Walton, New Operations VP, Brings Two Decades of Housing Authority Experience to NYCHA
Read More
NYCHA, the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development, and the NYC Housing Development Corporation recently finalized a deal that will bring 171 new affordable and supportive apartments to the Morrisania section of The Bronx. Construction on the new Melrose North development will begin in January 2021, on previously underutilized NYCHA-owned land. When completed, Melrose… Continue Reading New Supportive and Affordable Housing Coming to The Bronx
Read More
Through the Recycling Reset pilot program, 12 of NYCHA’s developments in neighborhoods with high pest activity were able to improve their waste management procedures by establishing recycling programs. Maintained continuously throughout the pandemic, the recycling program has become a model for how NYCHA can improve its recycling rates and help increase the overall cleanliness of… Continue Reading NYCHA’s Recycling Reset Pilot Boosts Recycling Rates
Read More
On December 8, NYCHA Chair & CEO Greg Russ testified before the New York State Assembly about legislation that would establish a Public Trust as part of NYCHA’s recapitalization strategy for upgrading 110,000 apartments. The Public Trust, an innovative solution to raise much-needed capital funding, would enable NYCHA to access valuable federal vouchers, have flexible… Continue Reading NYCHA Chair Russ Discusses “Blueprint for Change” with the State Assembly
Read More
Founded in 1896, Queens Public Library is one of the largest and busiest public library systems in the United States, dedicated to serving the most ethnically and culturally diverse area in the country. With 63 branches, the non-profit organization offers free access to more than 5 million books and other materials in multiple languages, technology… Continue Reading Queens Public Library Provides Invaluable Programming During the Pandemic
Read More
Meet Krzysztof Wasik, Heating Oversight Team Specialist We’re periodically featuring the hardworking staff members who are making a difference for residents. Learn more about how we’re becoming a better landlord through their efforts. In this installment, meet Krzysztof Wasik, a Heating Oversight Team Specialist in the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Department. An employee since… Continue Reading Making a Difference for Residents
Read More
You can contact an outside, independent entity… *To report conduct that may constitute a violation of law, or constitute a gross mismanagement of NYCHA rules and regulations, including, but not limited to: Tenants of NYCHA housing or its Section 8 program who conceal the residency of unauthorized occupants in their apartments or who fail to… Continue Reading How to File a Complaint About NYCHA
Read More
New York City Housing Authority Draft Significant Amendment to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Agency Annual Plan and the Draft Agency Plan for FY 2021 In support of the City’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, the New York City Housing Authority will hold this public meeting remotely. The public is invited to comment… Continue Reading Public Hearing on Draft FY 2021 Annual PHA Plan
Read More
Thanksgiving is about being thankful for what we have and sharing resources with our community. Experiencing a stressful year is all the more reason to be more thankful and giving, taking care of those in need during the holiday season. NYCHA, resident associations, businesses and community organizations, and elected officials provided NYCHA residents across the city with donations of turkeys, groceries, and prepared meals to ensure a… Continue Reading Taking Care and Giving Thanks
Read More
Here are some holiday safety tips that may be helpful for you and your family. Enjoy the holidays and stay safe! NYPD Holiday Community Safety TipsWith the holiday season upon us, most people are preoccupied with the details of holiday plans and shopping. Unfortunately, the safety precautions which we normally take are sometimes forgotten, or… Continue Reading Tips for a Safer Holiday Season
Read More
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 November! 5 Years of Service 10 Years of Service 15 Years of Service 20 Years of Service 25 Years… Continue Reading November Work Anniversaries
Read More
Dear Colleagues, Over the last few weeks, many of you joined staff town halls to learn about NYCHA’s Transformation Plan — our plan to comprehensively reform how NYCHA does business to better serve our residents, employees, and the city. A recording from the town hall along with other information about the Transformation Plan are now… Continue Reading Comment on NYCHA’s Transformation Plan
Read More
On November 18, 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 to repair and preserve more than 4,400 apartments in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx. This RFEI is the first step in unlocking funds necessary to address critical… Continue Reading New PACT Projects Bringing Major Repairs to Another 10,000 NYCHA Residents
Read More
This year’s recipients of the NYCHA-CUNY Resident Scholarships are training to be the next generation of advocates, public servants, social workers, nurses, and journalists – and, amidst a global pandemic, they’re demonstrating adaptability in pursuit of their degrees, by adjusting to online classes and learning from home. On October 29, NYCHA and CUNY virtually celebrated 22 residents for their academic excellence,… Continue Reading Announcing the 2020 NYCHA-CUNY Scholars
Read More
Mayor Bill de Blasio and Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Vicki Been released the final Where We Live NYC Plan, the City’s blueprint for fair housing in the five boroughs. Where We Live NYC is the City’s five-year plan to break down barriers to opportunity and build more integrated, equitable neighborhoods. Updated to reflect the disproportionate impact the COVID-19… Continue Reading Final “Where We Live NYC” Plan Released
Read More
As a young man growing up at NYCHA developments across all five boroughs, Domingo Morales never used to think about the best uses for his trash. It wasn’t until he came across a Green City Force (GCF) training program flyer at his mother’s home in Wilson Houses that he was put on a pathway toward promoting a more sustainable future. GCF partners with NYCHA’s Office… Continue Reading Former NYCHA Resident Awarded $200K Grant for Sustainability Activism
Read More
NYCHA staff is actively working to address pest issues for residents. There are numerous strategies the Authority has implemented to improve pest conditions at NYCHA developments, including Targeted Relief. Targeted Relief focuses on inspecting apartments where residents have had two or more verified pest complaints and making repairs during the inspections. It also includes addressing… Continue Reading NYCHA’s Targeted Relief for Pests
Read More
Recently, Brandi Covington, her partner Corey Whittenburg, and their team spent the day visiting three NYCHA developments in Brooklyn to deliver meals to residents experiencing gas outages. Their largest location was Gowanus Houses: they knocked on the doors of 252 apartments to deliver 712 meals. Ms. Covington and Mr. Whittenburg are the owners behind catering… Continue Reading Growing NYCHA Food Entrepreneurs
Read More
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 October! 5 Years of Service 10 Years of Service 15 Years of Service 20 Years of Service 25 Years… Continue Reading October Work Anniversaries
Read More
NYCHA’s Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) Department works to ensure decent, safe, and sanitary environments for our residents and employees. To promote safe and healthy environments, EH&S inspects work performed at NYCHA related to mold, lead, asbestos, heat, elevators, fire safety, and pests. EHS&S also maintains a complaints forum and investigates reports of unsafe EH&S… Continue Reading Fire Safety Tips
Read More
Dear Colleagues, This summer we launched A Blueprint for Change, a set of ideas and proposed strategies for how we can transform, stabilize, and preserve NYCHA so that it can serve the generations to come. Blueprint endeavors to invest in our organization, our buildings, and our residents through three approaches: A Transformation Plan that will… Continue Reading Update on “A Blueprint for Change”
Read More
This year, the theme for Customer Service Week is “Dream Team,” highlighting the employees who work together to provide excellent customer service while adapting to an ever-changing work and world environment. Staff members from NYCHA’s dream team were recently singled out for their outstanding customer service when they were awarded the Mayor’s Office 2020 Excellence… Continue Reading NYCHA Staff Receive Mayor’s Customer Service Award
Read More
The Mayor’s Office of Operations announced its individual and group winners of the 2020 Excellence in Customer Service Awards. The awards, which are presented across City agencies, recognize “outstanding City workers and teams that demonstrate their dedication and commitment to New York City through their customer service achievements.” Representing NYCHA this year is individual award… Continue Reading Recognizing Exemplary Members of NYCHA’s Team
Read More
Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart. Cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility. You can do your part by reporting anything suspicious, implementing stronger security practices, and helping to raise awareness. How to Be Cybersmart Cyberattacks at work don’t just impact your co-workers and you – they also affect our residents and others who rely on us to keep their… Continue Reading October Is Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Read More
NYCHA recently released its Climate Mitigation Roadmap, a portfolio-wide strategic plan for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from NYCHA operations. It’s the Authority’s most ambitious effort in more than 25 years of energy conservation programs. NYCHA developed the Roadmap to meet the City’s Local Law 97 requirement of a 40 percent reduction in GHG emission… Continue Reading NYCHA Unveils Strategic Roadmap for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Read More
Resources for Survivors During COVID-19 October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In the United States, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men experience severe physical violence by their partners. In 2019, the NYPD responded to over 245,000 domestic violence incidents. Domestic violence affects people from all walks of life and includes intimate partner violence and family violence. … Continue Reading October Is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Read More
From October 1 through May 31, New York City building owners must maintain an indoor temperature of at least 68 degrees between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. when it’s below 55 degrees outside. From 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., indoor temperature must be at least 62 degrees regardless of the temperature outside. Hot water must… Continue Reading Heating Season Began October 1
Read More
Engaging Staff and Other Stakeholders As part of the HUD Agreement signed last year, NYCHA has been working on its Transformation Plan to change how it delivers services to residents. In order to do that, NYCHA needs to re-structure its organization, its management, and its workforce, while ensuring that stakeholder input is front and center… Continue Reading Working Together to Transform NYCHA
Read More
On October 1, 2020, CABS Home Care, a nonprofit, licensed home care service agency, honored NYCHA Service Coordinator Ginette Scafidi with an award for her commitment to caring and advocating for vulnerable older adult NYCHA residents. Since 2019, CABS has partnered with NYCHA’s Family Partnerships Department to provide home care resources to disabled and elderly residents. CABS celebrated Ms. Scafidi and others with the “Circle of Care Award” during an online awards… Continue Reading NYCHA Employee Awarded for Care of Older Adults
Read More
In the photo above, Shirell Taylor (third from left) at the elevator training in early March at Long Island City. Improving elevator service for residents is a top priority for NYCHA, and maintaining 3,200 elevators requires a lot of skilled workers. Since these workers are sometimes in short supply, NYCHA’s Elevator Services and Repair Department… Continue Reading Elevator Training Program Helps Workers Ascend
Read More
Earlier this summer, Vlada Kenniff, NYCHA’s Vice President of Energy and Sustainability, was a panelist at the U.S. Green Building Council’s Women in Green Conference. We caught up with Vlada recently to find out more about her NYCHA career and the sustainability and energy work underway at NYCHA. At the conference it was mentioned that… Continue Reading Leading towards a Greener Future
Read More
Helping NYCHA Residents Create Healthier Communities Two years ago, NYCHA and public housing authorities across the country went smoke-free to help create healthier environments for public housing residents by curbing exposure to secondhand smoke. A major part of the Smoke-Free NYCHA initiative is educating residents about the policy and providing resources and referrals to residents who want to stop smoking. NYCHA’s smoke-free policy prohibits the use of cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and hookahs anywhere inside… Continue Reading New Smoke-Free NYCHA Liaisons
Read More
NYCHA recently launched a Digital Signage Pilot at Polo Grounds Towers in Manhattan to expand communications to residents, providing them with an additional, convenient platform to learn about NYCHA news, outages in their building, work being done on the grounds, capital projects underway, important health and safety information, and available activities and programs. The first digital monitors have been installed and the remaining… Continue Reading NYCHA’s New Digital Signage Pilot at Polo Grounds Towers
Read More
Red Hook Houses is the first NYCHA campus to host a new public art project that repurposes temporary construction fencing and sidewalk sheds into a wide range of large-scale photography, digital print works, murals, and mixed-media art installations to improve the pedestrian experience and increase opportunities for artists. Red Hook’s new art is thanks to a multi-part series of artist fellowships through the City Canvas pilot… Continue Reading Public Art Project Launches at Red Hook Houses
Read More
Five hundred older adult NYCHA residents in the Bronx and Manhattan recently received free herb plants and nutrition gift bags from the NYC Department for the Aging (DFTA) as part of the agency’s ongoing work to help older New Yorkers stay healthy, socially engaged, and connected. The plants, part of an initiative carried out in… Continue Reading Sage, Thyme, and Rosemary for NYCHA Residents
Read More
The COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for everyone, but for older adults the isolation and disconnection from services, family, and friends caused by social distancing may be especially impactful. To help alleviate the isolation, the City invested $5 million to provide 10,000 NYCHA seniors with free, internet-connected T-Mobile tablets so they can digitally connect with… Continue Reading NYCHA Seniors Become Technology Pros
Read More
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 September! 5 Years of Service 10 Years of Service 15 Years of Service 20 Years of Service 25 Years… Continue Reading September Work Anniversaries
Read More
Three days after Tropical Storm Isaias made landfall in New York City, NYCHA’s Office of Emergency Management Director Rudy Murillo inspected the damage at Cooper Park Houses and Marcy Houses in Brooklyn. Considering the impacts throughout NYC, the damage was minimal, thanks to prudent measures such as addressing trees with the potential to injure residents… Continue Reading NYCHA’s Response to Tropical Storm Isaias
Read More
Q&A with NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi on Why It Matters New Yorkers: Get your flu shot now! Learn more from Dr. Dave Chokshi, Commissioner of the NYC Health Department, on where you can find one and why it’s so important: Why is it important to get the flu vaccine? This year’s flu vaccine could… Continue Reading Get Your Flu Shot Now!
Read More
Attention NYCHA residents: September 22 is Get Tested Tuesday! Get a COVID-19 test to protect yourself and your family. You should get tested even if you don’t have symptoms! Community organizations, resident leaders, NYCHA staff, and volunteers will be at over a dozen NYCHA developments across the city to encourage residents to get tested for COVID-19. … Continue Reading Get a Free COVID-19 Test
Read More
Dear Colleagues, We’re excited to present Connected Communities, a powerful NYCHA initiative that prioritizes community-centered urban design for the largest housing authority in North America. Today, NYCHA was named as one of five award-winning laureates from across the world for the 2020 Wellbeing Cities Forum by the New Cities Foundation for our work supporting cohesive… Continue Reading NYCHA’s Connected Communities Initiative Wins Wellbeing Cities Award
Read More
Dear Colleagues, This summer, NYCHA released A Blueprint for Change, a set of ideas for improving residents’ home while protecting their rights. At the core of this work are NYCHA’s efforts to deliver better services to residents in a range of critical areas, transform as an organization, and bring our buildings the capital investment they… Continue Reading Learn More About NYCHA’s “A Blueprint for Change” Ideas
Read More
Read this September 17 editorial in The Daily News by Rebecca Karp, CEO of urban planning consultancy Karp Strategies, and Nicholas Bloom, professor of Urban Policy and Planning at Hunter College: “[NYCHA’s Connected Communities] Guidebook offers a new set of equity-focused, community-driven guidelines for improving the living experience of NYCHA residents — among whom are… Continue Reading “The Rebirth NYCHA Needs Now”
Read More
Celebrating NYCHA Heroes 1010 East 178th St. Consolidation Property Manager Angelinah Adegboyega praised Supervising Housing Groundskeeper Andres Rodriguez and his grounds team: “Tropical Storm Isaias hit the city, and the 1010 East 178th Street consolidated development was not spared – there were downed trees and branches. “With all the trees that needed to be cut… Continue Reading Going Above and Beyond
Read More
Every year from September 15 to October 15, National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated to acknowledge the contributions made to America by Hispanic people and Americans with ancestry from Spanish-speaking countries. To commemorate the month, The NYCHA Journal is highlighting the Authority’s developments named after prominent Hispanic people. Bracetti Plaza: Mariana Bracetti (1825-1903) – She was a leader of the Puerto Rican independence movement in the 1860s and known as “Arms of… Continue Reading Celebrating Hispanic Heritage
Read More
Dear Colleagues, NYCHA is working to modernize criminal justice-related policies to create a fairer system for our residents – one that promotes healthy families and stable housing while ensuring community safety at our developments and within our communities. NYCHA is committed to improving policies that keep employees and residents safe while addressing the challenges faced by justice-involved applicants and residents, as well as their family members. We have already incorporated policies that make it possible for individuals re-entering the community from… Continue Reading Comment on NYCHA’s Proposed Improvements to Its Criminal Justice Policies
Read More
The Energy and Sustainability group in NYCHA’s Capital Projects Division recently paved the way for new boilers at Patterson Houses by completing the required chimney liner installation. The work is part of a $16 million heating system upgrade through HUD’s Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) program. EPCs use future utility cost savings to fund capital improvements,… Continue Reading New Boilers Will Bring Comfort and Conservation
Read More
Since its announcement on July 28, NYCHA’s Blueprint for Change has generated a significant amount of discussion, and in the process underscored the importance of “thinking outside the box” to renew and rebuild the country’s largest public housing portfolio. With this in mind, NYCHA’s Capital Projects Division recently brought together industry experts, government partners,… Continue Reading Design Charrette Looks to the Future
Read More
By Nekoro Gomes, NYCHA’s Department of Communications As a member of NYCHA’s Department of Communications, a large part of my job calls for being able to find the right words to convey what’s happening across the Authority’s more than 300 developments at any given time. That task involves quickly sourcing, verifying, and accurately relaying information… Continue Reading Responding to COVID-19 During My National Guard Service
Read More
Dear Colleagues, As New York City faces unprecedented challenges in the fight against COVID-19, we must also remember that there is a critical step each of us must take to help rebuild New York City into the future — and that is completing the 2020 Census. Filling out the census has never been more important.… Continue Reading Complete the 2020 Census!
Read More
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 August! 5 Years of Service Alim, Ayyub Coard, Rosalyn Annette Conte, Joseph G Davis, Shawntae M Dingle, Lalen Renee… Continue Reading August Work Anniversaries
Read More
A beautiful, bright garden has sprouted on the walls of the Stapleton Senior Center at Staten Island’s Stapleton Houses. The flowers are made of paint in this new mural, “Flowers of Our People,” which features an array of flowers and residents caring for the garden and participating in activities such as tai chi, meditation, and… Continue Reading A Garden Mural for Stapleton Houses
Read More
The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season extends from June 1 to November 30. Coastal Storms Coastal storms such as Nor’easters, tropical storms, and hurricanes often bring strong winds, coastal flooding, and rain. They can also bring severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, snow, or ice, depending on the type of storm What to Do During a Coastal Storm If… Continue Reading Prepare for Coastal Storms
Read More
Thanks to a generous donation of 100,000 three-ply surgical masks from SC Health, a medical supply vendor based in South Carolina, NYCHA residents in Manhattan will have the additional supplies they need to help keep themselves and their neighbors safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. “During this crisis, SC Health has had the privilege of being able to donate more than 300,000 masks to citizens in communities throughout… Continue Reading 100,000 Face Masks Donated to Manhattan NYCHA Residents
Read More
Through its campaign to raise $134,000 to support the college savings plans of its youngest residents, the Astoria Houses Tenant Association is expanding the well-known African proverb “It takes a village to raise a child” to show that, sometimes, it takes a community to send children to college. Led by President Claudia Coger, the Tenant Association is raising money to deposit $1,000 into the college savings accounts… Continue Reading Astoria Houses Invests in Children’s Futures
Read More
On July 7, family, friends, and neighbors of the late Brandon Hendricks held a memorial event at the Jackson Houses basketball court in the Bronx to honor his life on what would have been his 18th birthday. The day’s events included a basketball tournament, cookout, vigil, and balloon release. Members of local community organizations called for an end to gun violence. Mr. Hendricks had recently graduated from high school and was excited about attending college in the… Continue Reading Remembering Brandon Hendricks
Read More
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 Bastaros, Andrew Joseph Cummings, John Anthony Horan, Michael Matthew Jung, Bomee Kruchenetskiy, Mikhail Lawal,… Continue Reading July Work Anniversaries
Read More
NYCHA Unveils Ideas to Invest in Its Properties and People Dear Colleagues, To ensure that public housing is here for New Yorkers for another 85 years and beyond, NYCHA is unveiling A Blueprint for Change, a set of ideas that outlines potential ways that NYCHA can invest in its properties, residents, and organization. We have… Continue Reading A Blueprint for Change
Read More
Dear Colleagues, As part of our ongoing work to transform the structure and business operations of the Authority, we are pleased to announce new staff appointments in NYCHA’s Department of Operations. We are committed to improving NYCHA operations and services for our residents. Therefore, we have implemented three new departments reporting to the General Manager… Continue Reading Transforming NYCHA: New Staff Appointments and New Departments
Read More
We’ve been on the front lines keeping New York City safe, fed, healthy, housed, and protected from COVID-19. And now, we going to make sure our communities get the millions owed to us for education, housing, jobs, health care, and more. How? By filling out the census; do it today at my2020census.gov. Featured in this… Continue Reading Complete the 2020 Census!
Read More
Listen to parts one and two of ForbesBooks Radio’s ChangeMakers podcast, where NYCHA Chair and CEO Greg Russ discusses his mission as the head of the Housing Authority, the challenges, and the way forward:
Read More
New York City continues to make progress during the COVID-19 pandemic and is now in Phase III of reopening. However, it’s still important for New Yorkers to be safe and cautious by practicing good hand hygiene, maintaining social distance, and wearing a mask or face covering that covers both the nose and mouth. NYCHA is helping ensure residents have the face coverings they need to keep themselves and their neighbors safe. On July 7, free masks were distributed to residents… Continue Reading Free Masks Distributed at Baruch Houses
Read More
Dear Colleagues, We are proud to announce that Sideya Sherman, NYCHA’s Executive Vice President for Community Engagement & Partnerships (CEP), has been named the Executive Director of the City’s Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity. The Taskforce, which is co-chaired by First Lady Chirlane McCray, Deputy Mayor J. Phillip Thompson, and Deputy Mayor Dr. Raul… Continue Reading Congratulations to Sideya Sherman!
Read More
NYCHA’s Community Engagement & Partnerships Staff Make 100,000 COVID-19 Wellness Calls The dedicated and hardworking staff from NYCHA’s Community Engagement & Partnerships Department have made over 100,000 “wellness check” phone calls during the COVID-19 pandemic to date, resulting in nearly 60,000 personal conversations with our most vulnerable residents, including seniors, to make sure that they… Continue Reading Checking in With Each Other
Read More
Anette Barry, Financial Officer of the Saint Mary’s Park Houses Tenant Council (pictured above), sent the below letter about Marcia Babb-Rhine, Administrative Manager in NYCHA’s Community Development Department, who is enrolling seniors in the GetFoodNYC program during the pandemic. Regarding her efforts, Ms. Babb-Rhine noted: “The seniors I enroll in the GetFoodNYC program are very… Continue Reading Kudos to Marcia Babb-Rhine, Administrative Manager in Community Development
Read More
New York Knick Taj Gibson grew up at Ingersoll Houses in Brooklyn and has never forgotten the people or place that helped shape his childhood. In May, he went back to Ingersoll to acknowledge staff members —part of NYCHA’s team of 9,000 essential workers — for their hard work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through his Taj Gibson Foundation, he provided them with free lunches as a thank you. “We thought it would be a… Continue Reading Thanking NYCHA’s Essential Workers
Read More
There’s still time to complete the 2020 Census! The more New Yorkers who complete the census, the more money our neighborhoods get. Completing the census is critical for the future of New York City. The census determines how important resources and political power are distributed, including funding for affordable housing, hospitals, public education, senior centers, roads, and more. The census is easy, safe, confidential, and takes… Continue Reading Complete the 2020 Census!
Read More
NYCHA is working with a number of partners, including the Mayor’s Office and various government agencies, non-profits, elected officials, and resident associations, to ensure residents have the resources they need during the COVID-19 pandemic, including food, masks, and hand sanitizer. In mid-April, Mayor Bill de Blasio’s office announced that all residents in NYCHA’s senior buildings would be enrolled in the City’s food delivery program… Continue Reading Working Together for Residents
Read More
Children across the city are adapting to a new normal brought about by COVID-19: online learning, closed playgrounds, and being indoors a lot more. Kings County Tennis League (KCTL), a non-profit that provides tennis and youth development to children living in and around NYCHA developments in Brooklyn, has been trying to provide its students with a sense of continuity and normalcy through virtual tennis sessions at home, as well as by making sure students’ families have the food and other resources they need during… Continue Reading Practicing Tennis at Home
Read More
Thanks to a generous donation from the Shawn Carter Foundation and #startsmall, every household at Marcy, Sumner, and Tompkins Houses received a supermarket gift card to assist in purchasing the food they need. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused hardships for many New Yorkers, including NYCHA residents, and access to food has been the most basic necessity that… Continue Reading NYCHA ThankstThe Shawn Carter Foundation and #startsmall for Helping Residents Buy Groceries
Read More
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 Bartlett, Josephine Anne Boundy, Emma Catherine Buckland, Douglas Charles Canady, Katrina Cesar, Kerly Davis,… Continue Reading June Work Anniversaries
Read More
Summer in New York City is going to be different this year. As the city begins slowly re-opening, we still need to wear face coverings, maintain social distancing, and practice good hand hygiene, though there are still many ways to have fun this summer. Here are some resources to help you have a safe and enjoyable summer. Recreation There are miles of city streets that are closed to through-traffic so that pedestrians, bicyclists,… Continue Reading Summer Resources
Read More
As of July 1, 2020, an independent Ombudsperson complaint call center is now active at all NYCHA developments. What Is Mold Busters? Mold Busters is NYCHA’s program to effectively and efficiently remediate mold. It is a vital part of NYCHA’s commitment to providing residents with the healthy and safe homes they deserve. To report mold… Continue Reading Ombudsperson and Ombudsperson Call Center Information
Read More
Apply for a NYCHA-CUNY Scholarship! All scholarships award one-time $1,000 grants to eligible residents who are pursuing undergraduate degrees at City University of New York (CUNY) colleges. Apply at: on.nyc.gov/nycha-cuny. Applications are due June 23, 2020.
Read More
The NYCHA branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) commemorated June 19 — Juneteenth — with a prayer walk for justice held simultaneously in the Bronx at Claremont Rehab; in Harlem at Frederick Samuel Apartments; and in Brooklyn at Brevoort and Tompkins Houses. Juneteenth is a holiday that marks the end of… Continue Reading NYCHA’s NAACP Prayer Walk for Juneteenth
Read More
Some welcome news to children across the city: NYCHA playgrounds are now open again, per guidance from Mayor Bill de Blasio. To protect everyone’s health and safety, please keep these guidelines in mind when enjoying them: Wear a face covering; Maintain social distance of 6 feet between each child who does NOT live in the… Continue Reading NYCHA Playgrounds Are Now Open!
Read More
Fighting for Justice and Equality Across Our Nation To the NYCHA Community: Now more than ever, it is imperative that all of us who live and work at NYCHA stand together and support each other during this unprecedented time in our nation’s history. The COVID-19 crisis, the brutal actions that led to the killing of… Continue Reading Standing Together and Supporting Each Other
Read More
Eva Trimble, Executive Vice President for Strategy and Innovation, had this to say about Nymiah Branch, Property Maintenance Supervisor at Red Hook Houses West: “Nymiah Branch deserves a shout out. He’s been managing Red Hook Houses West tirelessly throughout the COVID-19 crisis, including helping to implement a project that will provide free wireless internet to the… Continue Reading Celebrating NYCHA Heroes: Nymiah Branch
Read More
Sybille Louis, Director for Performance Tracking and Analytics, praised Yuet-Sim Cheung and her team: “Yuet-Sim Cheung, Assistant Director in the Performance Tracking and Analytics Department, has been instrumental in providing complex data analyses involving demographics of our residents. Her unit has also created various maps of NYCHA developments to assist with NYCHA’s planning and response efforts. Early… Continue Reading Celebrating NYCHA Heroes: Yuet-Sim Cheung
Read More
Octavia Hayward, Manhattan Property Management Director, praised Lehman Village Superintendent Althea Frontin: “Whether it’s 6:00 a.m or 7:00 p.m, any day of the week including weekends, she is there. All leadership qualities, her work ethic and camaraderie with both staff and residents, is a benefit to the success of anywhere she goes. Her diligence and… Continue Reading Celebrating NYCHA Heroes: Althea Frontin
Read More
Customer Contact Center Gina Mitchell: Does an excellent job training our new hires. Recently we needed to train the staff from the Walk-in Centers located in Brooklyn and the Bronx. When called upon, Ms. Mitchell answered the call without hesitation. She is now commuting from New Jersey to Brooklyn to train the staff on how to… Continue Reading Celebrating NYCHA Heroes: Administration Staff
Read More
Kudos to Adiba Chowdhury, Legislative Coordinator in the Office of Intergovernmental Relations, from Brian Honan, Vice President of Intergovernmental Relations, and Erin Burns-Maine, Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Relations: “Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, Adiba has worked tirelessly to communicate important information out to community leaders, partners, and elected offices. She is responsible for… Continue Reading Celebrating NYCHA Heroes: Adiba Chowdhury
Read More
When Carmen Quiňones first heard news of COVID-19 affecting New Yorkers, she knew she wanted to take action to help the seniors at her Manhattan development, Douglass Houses, where she serves as Resident Association President. Ms. Quiňones contacted La Fonda Boricua restaurant owner James Gonzalez for assistance. The restaurant is participating in the World Central Kitchen’s COVID-19… Continue Reading NYCHA’s Resident Leaders Helping Their Communities
Read More
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 10 Years 15 Years 20 Years 25 Years 30 Years 35 Years Abdur-Rahman, Nafeesa Ades, Constantine… Continue Reading May Work Anniversaries
Read More
NYCHA has simplified its Rent Hardship Policy to make it easier than ever for you to reduce your rent during the COVID-19 crisis. Who Can Apply for Rent Hardship? If your hours have been cut at work, or if you have lost your job, please fill out an Interim Recertification application immediately. As a public… Continue Reading Applying for a NYCHA Rent Hardship Is Easier Than Ever
Read More
The Hastings-on-Hudson Mask Project and the mother of NYCHA’s Chief Administrative Officer Kerri Jew donated 150 handmade cloth masks to NYCHA’s Customer Contact Center and mailroom staff!
Read More
The Heroes of the Heating Management Services Department (HMSD) From Javier Almodovar, Director of the Heating Management Services Department: “While the HMSD management team would like to commend the following employees, I want to send kudos to the entire department for their diligence and their commitment to the residents we serve. I am proud to… Continue Reading Rising to the Occasion
Read More
From Regional Asset Manager Alex Tolozano: “Madeline Mendez has been a NYCHA employee for 24 years. She is currently the Property Manager at Sotomayor Houses who has shown exceptional management skills in running the development since July of 2019, and especially while dealing with the impact of COVID-19 on staffing levels. Ms. Mendez has shown… Continue Reading Kudos to Madeline Mendez, Property Manager at Sotomayor Houses
Read More
From Cesar Gonzalez, Acting Director of the Queens/Staten Island Property Management Department: “Property Maintenance Superintendent Ms. Eva Gonzalez, Property Manager Ms. Gloria Fields, and their staff at West Brighton Houses are exemplifying true commitment to the residents we serve. They are conducting muster outside, practicing social distancing, and communicating important messages to staff every day.… Continue Reading Kudos to the West Brighton Houses Team
Read More
Atoms Shoe Company Donates Over 20,000 Masks to NYCHA Residents Thanks to its buy-one, donate-one campaign, a Brooklyn-based shoe company, Atoms, is donating over 20,000 face masks to NYCHA residents. Atoms started producing the masks in April in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The company is donating one mask for every mask that it sells.… Continue Reading Covering Each Other
Read More
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 Adolph, Conroy Everton Alvarado, Kristopher E Andrews, Selwyn Florian Bencosme, Enio Rafael Blair, Hilen… Continue Reading April Work Anniversaries
Read More
Ensuring NYCHA Residents Are Safe and Supported The COVID-19 pandemic is increasing the challenges New Yorkers are facing, including for NYCHA’s 400,000 residents. On April 22, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a new plan to expand the City’s response to COVID-19 at NYCHA to ensure that these hardworking New Yorkers are safe and supported during this crisis. “NYCHA residents… Continue Reading Mayor’s New Plan to Combat COVID-19 at NYCHA
Read More
Celebrating NYCHA Heroes Meet Damir Galzina, Senior Deputy Director of the Law Department There are many hardworking men and women, from the central offices to the front lines, who are making sure that NYCHA continues to deliver vital services to residents during the COVID-19 crisis and helping to keep our community healthy and safe. We… Continue Reading Going Above and Beyond: Damir Galzina
Read More
Complimenting Felix Colon & George Ramirez, Supervisors of Grounds From Kim Theodore, Regional Asset Manager, Bronx Property Management: “There are two employees I want to recognize in the Bronx for outstanding work performance. They are both Supervisors of Grounds (SOG) who held down their developments when other supervisors were out due to COVID-19. “Felix Colon… Continue Reading Celebrating NYCHA Heroes in the Bronx
Read More
