NYCHA Now

Author: Michael Corwin

April 2020COVID-19

NYCHA Residents Take Care of Their Communities

NYCHA residents have stepped up to help each other and their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the city, residents are joining NYCHA staff, elected officials, City agency and non-profit partners, and others to ensure that the most vulnerable residents have access to food.  Here are just a few examples:  At Butler Houses in the Bronx, resident volunteers like… Continue Reading NYCHA Residents Take Care of Their Communities

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April 2020COVID-19

Mental Health Support (& Other Resources) Available from Home

Get Help by Phone or Online While our city stays home to help stop the spread of coronavirus, New Yorkers can access a range of mental health services by phone or online. If you or someone you care about needs support, please reach out to the programs below, compiled by ThriveNYC. Help is available. Every… Continue Reading Mental Health Support (& Other Resources) Available from Home

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April 2020COVID-19

Safe Horizon Supports Victims of Domestic Violence

NYCHA Partner Is Available by Phone If you are experiencing domestic violence or abuse during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) crisis, NYCHA’s partner, Safe Horizon, is here for you. Safe Horizon is available to help you explore options, including applying for an emergency transfer. The Community Program Helpline is open and answering calls, checking voicemail messages several… Continue Reading Safe Horizon Supports Victims of Domestic Violence

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April 2020COVID-19IT News and Notes

Beware of COVID-19 Phishing Scams

Stay Cyber Safe The FBI issued a warning about phishing campaigns that use government checks as lures. Look out for phishing emails that ask you to verify your personal information in order to receive a check from the government. Government agencies will not send emails asking for your private information in order to send you money. The FBI… Continue Reading Beware of COVID-19 Phishing Scams

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April 2020

New Program Trains NYCHA Residents to Become HPTs

A new cohort of 27 NYCHA caretakers are the first with the “Caretaker H” designation, meaning that in addition to maintaining the grounds at NYCHA developments, they are students in a new, yearlong training program that prepares them to take care of the Authority’s heating systems as Heating Plant Technicians (HPT). The Caretaker H program… Continue Reading New Program Trains NYCHA Residents to Become HPTs

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April 2020

Green City Force Graduates Its 20th Class

On February 7 at Brooklyn Borough Hall, Green City Force marked 10 years of existence by graduating its largest cohort ever. Fifty NYCHA residents were celebrated for their efforts in maintaining NYCHA’s six farms and their work to make New York greener and more sustainable. Green City Force (GCF) is an AmeriCorps program that provides NYCHA… Continue Reading Green City Force Graduates Its 20th Class

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April 2020

NYCHA Women and the Vote

Throughout March, the contributions women have made to society are honored and recognized during the national Women’s History Month celebration.  This year’s theme is “Valiant Women of the Vote,” which pays tribute to the women who marched and fought for women’s voting rights, as well as the women of today who continue to advocate for voting rights for all.   The NYCHA Journal spoke to two women, NYCHA residents actively engaged in their… Continue Reading NYCHA Women and the Vote

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April 2020COVID-19

High-Tech Sanitizing in High-Touch Areas

NYCHA Disinfects Its Buildings to Help Stop the Spread of COVID-19 As part of its efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, NYCHA has partnered with vendors to sanitize all of its buildings, focusing on high-touch, high-traffic areas such as lobby and common area doors; mailboxes; stairway doors, handles, and handrails; elevator panels; trash chute… Continue Reading High-Tech Sanitizing in High-Touch Areas

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March 2020

“Private management can help save NYCHA”

The Daily News published an op-ed written by Sandra Gross, Baychester Houses Resident Association President, and Rafael Uriondo, a longtime resident at Betances Houses, on March 9, 2020. “We are longtime residents of Betances and Baychester Houses in the Bronx… …Recently, we’ve read misleading comments about RAD by people who not only haven’t lived through RAD —… Continue Reading “Private management can help save NYCHA”

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March 2020

Family Partnerships Department Celebrates African-American History

As Community Coordinator Gary Samuels adjusted the sound levels at the recent lunch-time talent showcase sponsored by the Family Partnerships Department, he kept the words of his godmother in mind: “Reach every corner of the room no matter how far away.” The Ceremonial Room at NYCHA’s 90 Church Street headquarters can hold about 150 people.… Continue Reading Family Partnerships Department Celebrates African-American History

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March 2020News to Use

Attention Public Housing Wait List Applicants!

If you are a current public housing wait list applicant, you can now add your name to any of the site-based wait lists for newly renovated Section 8 units at NYCHA’s Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) properties listed below. This opportunity is for current public housing wait list applicants only, including NYCHA residents and Section… Continue Reading Attention Public Housing Wait List Applicants!

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March 2020

NYCHA Launches Fourth Digital Van

More NYCHA residents will be able to access technology essential to making the connections they need, thanks to the rollout of a fourth Digital Van. This means more job searches and applications filled out, resumés updated, annual certifications filled out online, and more. Launched in 2012, NYCHA’s Digital Vans are free computer labs on wheels that bring… Continue Reading NYCHA Launches Fourth Digital Van

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COVID-19September 2021

Information About Coronavirus (Updated 8/3/21)

8/3/21 update (Stay informed about COVID-19 with this biweekly info session): Dear Colleagues, The Environmental Health & Safety Department would like to share with you a resource that can help you stay up-to-date on the latest COVID-19 information: WorkWell NYC and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Immunization Justice Workgroup are hosting a… Continue Reading Information About Coronavirus (Updated 8/3/21)

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March 2020

Equal Opportunity at NYCHA

Dear Colleagues, As we continue our collective work to transform NYCHA into an organization of excellence, we must fully integrate equal opportunity into NYCHA’s vision, mission, and strategic plan. Discrimination, harassment in the workplace, and retaliation are contrary to our core values of respect, diversity, inclusion, and collaboration. As Chair and Chief Executive Officer, I… Continue Reading Equal Opportunity at NYCHA

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March 2020

New Book Explores Growing Up in Public Housing

A new children’s picture book called Summer Housing Boy explores growing up in New York City public housing through the eyes of a young boy named Tyreek. Former NYCHA resident Shaniqua Lewis wrote and self-published the book as a love letter to her community and to the children currently living at NYCHA developments. Ms. Lewis lived at… Continue Reading New Book Explores Growing Up in Public Housing

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March 2020

First Resident Leadership Breakfast Focuses on NYCHA’s Transformation

NYCHA is developing a new organizational structure and business model in accordance with its agreement with the federal government and in collaboration with a federal monitor. To develop and implement a plan for a new NYCHA, the Authority is engaging all of its stakeholders, including residents. As part of these efforts, on February 12, more… Continue Reading First Resident Leadership Breakfast Focuses on NYCHA’s Transformation

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March 2020

Understanding the Way to a New NYCHA

At December’s Quarterly Leadership Meeting (QLM), about 230 staff came together to discuss the work of building a new NYCHA. This includes making significant quality of life improvements for residents in the areas of heat and elevator service, mold, lead, and pests/waste as well as transforming the organization’s structure and business model – all as… Continue Reading Understanding the Way to a New NYCHA

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March 2020

NYCHA Developments Named after Women

To celebrate Women’s History Month, we are highlighting the Authority’s developments named after notable women. These trailblazing women made remarkable contributions to American life and are an inspiration to all residents who reside in their namesake developments. Bethune Gardens: Mary McLeod Bethune (1875-1955) – An educator who founded the National Council of Negro Women and was vice president of… Continue Reading NYCHA Developments Named after Women

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FeaturedMarch 2020

Providing Excellent Service to Residents

We’re periodically featuring the hardworking staff members who provide excellent service to residents. Learn more about how we’re improving residents’ homes and becoming a better landlord through their perspective. In this installment, meet Anneliee Almonte, an Administrative Community Relations Specialist who coordinates dust wipe sampling as part of NYCHA’s work to address lead at our… Continue Reading Providing Excellent Service to Residents

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February 2020

Clear Channels, Safe Residents

To improve the way it manages wide-scale incidents, NYCHA’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) launched a six-month pilot program based on NYC’s Incident Command System, which employs on-call field coordinators to coordinate efforts and communications between responding agencies. “It has been an effective emergency response model for the city,” said Rudy Murillo, Director of NYCHA’s… Continue Reading Clear Channels, Safe Residents

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February 2020

Complimenting Doretha Ford in the Quality Assurance Unit

Ms. Marlene Farrell-Trent, a resident of Park Rock Rehab in Brooklyn, sent the below message to NYCHA. Congratulations to Doretha Ford and her colleagues in the Quality Assurance Unit! To Whom It May Concern: I would like to say thank you to Ms. Doretha Ford and the entire Quality Assurance (QA) Unit at NYCHA! You… Continue Reading Complimenting Doretha Ford in the Quality Assurance Unit

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February 2020

Affordable Senior Housing Opens in Brooklyn

In December, NYCHA joined partners at the opening of Stonewall House, an LGBT-friendly affordable senior housing development located at Ingersoll Houses in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. Partners on the Stonewall House included BFC Partners, SAGE, the New York City Housing Development Corporation, and the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development. Stonewall House is a 17-story… Continue Reading Affordable Senior Housing Opens in Brooklyn

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February 2020

Inspiring a Compliance Culture

PHAS Inspections for 2017 In July 2019, HUD restarted its 2017 Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS) Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) inspections. The last of these inspections concluded at the end of September 2019. Fifty-seven developments were inspected across the five boroughs. The Compliance Department worked with development staff to ensure the integrity of PHAS… Continue Reading Inspiring a Compliance Culture

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February 2020

Blueprint for the Future of Fair Housing

Earlier this month, the de Blasio administration released the Where We Live NYC Draft Plan for public review, the City’s comprehensive plan to promote fair housing opportunities for all New Yorkers. The Where We Live NYC Draft Plan outlines key goals and strategies to address New York City’s fair housing challenges and lays out an action plan for the… Continue Reading Blueprint for the Future of Fair Housing

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February 2020

Celebrating Black History Month

To commemorate Black History Month, we are highlighting the Authority’s developments named after prominent Black Americans. Residents of these developments have permanent reminders of these trailblazers who made considerable contributions to American life throughout our nation’s history. “Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the… Continue Reading Celebrating Black History Month

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February 2020

Celebrating Black History Month

To commemorate Black History Month, we are highlighting the Authority’s developments named after prominent Black Americans. Residents of these developments have permanent reminders of these trailblazers who made considerable contributions to American life throughout our nation’s history. “Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the… Continue Reading Celebrating Black History Month

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February 2020

Celebrating Black History Month

To commemorate Black History Month, we are highlighting the Authority’s developments named after prominent Black Americans. Residents of these developments have permanent reminders of these trailblazers who made considerable contributions to American life throughout our nation’s history. RALPH J. RANGEL (1923 – 1975) – An energetic Central Harlem community worker, Rangel became a director of Community… Continue Reading Celebrating Black History Month

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February 2020

Celebrating Black History Month

To commemorate Black History Month, we are highlighting the Authority’s developments named after prominent Black Americans. Residents of these developments have permanent reminders of these trailblazers who made considerable contributions to American life throughout our nation’s history. “Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the… Continue Reading Celebrating Black History Month

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February 2020

Celebrating Black History Month

To commemorate Black History Month, we are highlighting the Authority’s developments named after prominent Black Americans. Residents of these developments have permanent reminders of these trailblazers who made considerable contributions to American life throughout our nation’s history. “Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the… Continue Reading Celebrating Black History Month

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February 2020

Celebrating Black History Month

To commemorate Black History Month, we are highlighting the Authority’s developments named after prominent Black Americans. Residents of these developments have permanent reminders of these trailblazers who made considerable contributions to American life throughout our nation’s history. “Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the… Continue Reading Celebrating Black History Month

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February 2020

NYCHA Wins 2019 State Historic Preservation Award

On December 4, NYCHA was honored by the NYS Office of Parks with a 2019 State Historic Preservation Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation and Environmental Consultation. Among 10 recipients named by Governor Cuomo, the Authority won for its collaboration with State Parks to create a streamlined process for National Historic Preservation Act reviews and… Continue Reading NYCHA Wins 2019 State Historic Preservation Award

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FeaturedFebruary 2020

Providing Excellent Service to Residents

We’re periodically featuring the hardworking staff members who provide excellent service to residents and exemplify NYCHA’s core values. In this installment, meet Sarah Figuereo, Community Coordinator in the Family Partnerships Department, who’s been with NYCHA for six years: “I am responsible for screening and visiting the homes of residents who want their loved ones to… Continue Reading Providing Excellent Service to Residents

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January 2020

Residents Can Visit the Digital Van to Join Census 2020

NYCHA’s Digital Vans provide residents the opportunity to search for jobs, browse the internet, complete annual online recertifications, and more. Now they offer residents a new opportunity: gaining employment as 2020 U.S. Census Bureau employees. Census 2020 is recruiting for temporary and flexible jobs as census takers, recruiting assistants, office staff, and supervisory staff. A… Continue Reading Residents Can Visit the Digital Van to Join Census 2020

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January 2020

NYCHA Hispanic Society’s Coat Drive

On January 8, at its monthly meeting, the Hispanic Society of NYCHA kicked off the new year with a kids’ coat drive. The group, which is open to employees regardless of background, celebrates Hispanic culture and language. “We want to create positive energy,” said Caretaker Nancy Ramos, the organization’s president. “Today we do that by… Continue Reading NYCHA Hispanic Society’s Coat Drive

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January 2020

Raising Awareness on Gender-Based Violence

NYCHA’s Family Partnerships and Resident Engagement Departments hosted employee events for “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence,” which ran from November 25 to December 10, 2019, to raise awareness about gender-based violence and encourage discussions and activism on ways to eliminate it. Family Partnerships hosted a documentary screening and discussion on “The Rape of… Continue Reading Raising Awareness on Gender-Based Violence

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HighlightedJanuary 2020

Recognizing James Secreto, NYPD Housing Bureau Chief

At the December NYCHA Board meeting, General Manager Vito Mustaciuolo announced the retirement of James Secreto, Chief of the NYPD’s Housing Bureau, whose 2,100 officers patrol NYCHA developments. Following the announcement, Chair Greg Russ presented Chief Secreto with a plaque recognizing his work in maintaining safety at our developments. Chief Secreto began his NYPD career… Continue Reading Recognizing James Secreto, NYPD Housing Bureau Chief

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January 2020News to Use

Human Resources Streamlines the Customer Service Process

As part of an effort to provide more direct access to subject matter experts, the Human Resources Department is adopting a new business model for the HR customer service phone line (212-306-8000). The 8000 number will remain the single point of contact, but callers will be able to select from menu prompts which connect them… Continue Reading Human Resources Streamlines the Customer Service Process

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January 2020

Breaking Ground in Brooklyn

Construction has begun on Van Dyke III, a building on the campus of Van Dyke Houses that will bring 180 affordable apartments to the Brownsville, Brooklyn, community. “Every apartment will be reserved for low-income households, with 54 apartments exclusively for formerly homeless families,” said Matthew Charney, NYCHA’s Director of Real Estate Development. “One out of… Continue Reading Breaking Ground in Brooklyn

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January 2020

Celebrating the Festival of Lights

On December 18, Batei Tsibur, NYCHA’s organization of Jewish employees, hosted its annual Chanukah candle-lighting ceremony at 90 Church Street. The guest speaker, Rabbi Kasriel Kastel, Program Director of the Lubavitch Youth Organization in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, discussed the importance of incremental change in his talk, “Illuminate Your Life – One Candle at a Time.”… Continue Reading Celebrating the Festival of Lights

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HighlightedJanuary 2020

Opportunity, Transformation, and Excellence

On December 16, about 230 NYCHA staff came together at the NYPD headquarters’ cavernous auditorium to discuss “opportunity, transformation, and excellence,” the theme of the Quarterly Leadership Meeting. Director of Community Development Leroy Williams kicked off the daylong event: “We’re bringing back this NYCHA tradition because it’s a great way to discuss where we are… Continue Reading Opportunity, Transformation, and Excellence

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FeaturedJanuary 2020

Providing Excellent Service to Residents

We’re periodically featuring the hardworking staff members who provide excellent service to residents and exemplify NYCHA’s core values. In this installment, meet John Kolomechuk, Housing Manager in the Customer Operations Department: “In my 25-plus years at NYCHA, I have served as a housing assistant, assistant manager, development manager, and borough manager. I’m now a housing… Continue Reading Providing Excellent Service to Residents

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December 2019Highlighted

NYCHA Employee Receives Public Service Award

Denise Guess, Administrative Community Relations Specialist in the Resident Engagement Department, was honored on December 11 with the prestigious 2019 Isaac Liberman Public Service Award. Sponsored by The Hundred Year Association of New York, comprising companies, religious institutions, and non-profit organizations that are over 100 years old, the award has been presented to outstanding New… Continue Reading NYCHA Employee Receives Public Service Award

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December 2019

Child Care – The Best Compensation Possible

The first of 10 children, NYCHA resident Kayereathea Boyd, 36, learned early in life how to feed, change, and burp toddlers. Those life skills proved useful when she participated in the 15-week NYCHA Childcare Business Pathways program (CBP), which helps residents establish licensed, home-based childcare businesses. The practical business skills she learned in the program allowed her… Continue Reading Child Care – The Best Compensation Possible

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December 2019

REES Helps Residents Launch Home-Based Businesses

NYCHA residents: Are you an entrepreneur? Do you dream of starting your own home-based business? NYCHA’s Office of Resident Economic Empowerment and Sustainability (REES) connects residents with entrepreneurial ambitions to partners that can assist with the various aspects of launching and operating a business. But first, residents need to make sure that the type of… Continue Reading REES Helps Residents Launch Home-Based Businesses

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December 2019Featured

Providing Excellent Service to Residents

We’re periodically featuring the hardworking staff members who provide excellent service to residents. Learn more about how we’re connecting residents to opportunity through their perspective. In this installment, meet Erica DeJesus, Community Coordinator in the Resident Engagement Department: “I started at NYCHA nine years ago as a community center director in the Bronx. When I… Continue Reading Providing Excellent Service to Residents

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November 2019

NYCHA’s Department of Strategy & Innovation

Under the leadership of Chair Greg Russ, NYCHA created a new department that is leading efforts to transform the Authority so that it can better serve residents. Its establishment was also a significant structural change made toward compliance with the agreement between NYCHA and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which requires the… Continue Reading NYCHA’s Department of Strategy & Innovation

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November 2019

Getting NYCHA Residents Registered

NYCHA marked National Voter Registration Day on September 24 by encouraging Bronx residents to register to vote. Working with the Office of the Mayor’s DemocracyNYC initiative and resident associations, NYCHA’s Resident Engagement staff were on site at six developments: Claremont, Webster Houses, Morrisania Air Rights, Moore Houses, Millbrook Houses, and Teller Avenue-East 166th Street with… Continue Reading Getting NYCHA Residents Registered

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HighlightedNovember 2019

Practicing Preparedness

Every September during National Preparedness Month, Americans are encouraged to get prepared for disasters or emergencies in their homes, businesses, and communities. Since 2013, NYCHA’s Emergency Services Department (ESD) has actively promoted that effort by ensuring its staff is well trained and properly equipped to address challenges that arise from gas leaks, floods, power failures,… Continue Reading Practicing Preparedness

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HighlightedNovember 2019

NYCHA’s New Departments

To improve service to residents and their quality of life, NYCHA is implementing significant health and safety-related improvements Authority-wide while continuing its focus on accountability and integrity. As part of this work, NYCHA created three new departments: The Compliance Department, which ensures that the Authority meets its legal, regulatory, and ethical responsibilities; The Environmental Health… Continue Reading NYCHA’s New Departments

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FeaturedNovember 2019

Providing Excellent Service to Residents

We’re periodically featuring the hardworking staff members who provide excellent service to residents. Learn more about how we’re improving residents’ homes and becoming a better landlord through their perspective. In this installment, meet Matt Dixon, Senior Project Manager in the Capital Projects Division: “As a senior project manager, I oversee a team that completes capital… Continue Reading Providing Excellent Service to Residents

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October 2019

Alternative Work Schedule Rollout Continues

Alternative Work Schedule (AWS), which started rolling out this spring, is a new way of scheduling certain front-line staff: caretakers, their supervisors, assistant resident building superintendents, and resident building superintendents work at our buildings from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week, through five staggered schedules. Phase 4 is the final phase in… Continue Reading Alternative Work Schedule Rollout Continues

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October 2019

Breaking Ground on Affordable Housing for Seniors

On September 10, NYCHA staff attended the groundbreaking ceremony of Betances Residence, a new senior affordable housing development in the Bronx being developed by Breaking Ground, New York’s largest supportive housing provider. NYCHA leased the site of the development (which is on underutilized Authority land) and will also provide 151 Section 8 vouchers for it. All… Continue Reading Breaking Ground on Affordable Housing for Seniors

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ComplianceHighlightedOctober 2019

Inspiring a Compliance Culture!

Welcome to the Compliance Department’s first newsletter! Who Are We? The Compliance Department was created as part of the January 31, 2019 Agreement between NYCHA, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.  The department is led by Acting Chief Compliance Officer… Continue Reading Inspiring a Compliance Culture!

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HighlightedOctober 2019

Announcing the 2019 NYCHA-CUNY Scholars

They are the next generation of social workers, advocates, journalists, IT professionals, doctors, teachers, and public servants – NYCHA residents pursuing their degrees at City University of New York colleges, and this year’s recipients of NYCHA-CUNY Resident Scholarships. On September 17, NYCHA and CUNY celebrated 25 residents for their academic excellence, leadership, and contributions to… Continue Reading Announcing the 2019 NYCHA-CUNY Scholars

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