NYCHA Now

Author: Michael Corwin

HighlightedJune 2018

Learning to Move Mountains

Through day-long, weekly workshops each spring, the City’s Management Academy helps new and emerging leaders in city government become better managers. NYCHANow spoke with a recent graduate, Alex Mathew, Deputy Director in the Leased Housing Department, about his experience in the program. Why did you decide to participate in the Management Academy? I first learned… MORE

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HighlightedJune 2018

REES Zone Coordinator Honored for Service to the Community

Evelyn Melendez was born and raised in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, one of the neighborhoods she serves as a REES Zone Coordinator (the others are Bed-Stuy and Bushwick). She connects residents of 30 developments to partner organizations in their communities, enabling residents to pursue careers and empower themselves and their families economically.   Her dedicated service has not… MORE

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HighlightedJune 2018

A Rising Star at NYCHA

Deputy Director for Real Estate Development Polina Bakhteiarov has been recognized as one of Real Estate Weekly’s 2018 “Rising Stars of Real Estate.”   “As a public servant, I am very grateful to be recognized by the real estate industry,” Ms. Bakhteiarov told NYCHANow. “I am passionate about our work to preserve public housing and ensure… MORE

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May 2018

Better Living Through Technology

Residents in several Manhattan and Brooklyn developments will benefit from new high-tech innovations designed to enhance their health and quality of life through improved maintenance and operations. Three companies – winners of NYCHA’s Tech Pilots competition – are each developing a program under the guidance of Capital Projects’ Energy and Sustainability Department in partnership with… MORE

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May 2018

High Tech at Your Fingertips

The IT Department recently finished installing 5,700 new desktop computers for all NYCHA computer users. The rollout, which began at developments and concluded at the central offices, provides every computer user with upgraded technology and features. The Dell machines are outfitted with the latest Microsoft software, including Windows 10 and Office 365 programs like Word,… MORE

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May 2018

Employees: NYCHA’s Heart and Soul

Dear Colleagues, After a challenging couple of months and significant changes in leadership, many of you have shared your concerns and major apprehensions about the future with me. Please know, I’ve heard you and appreciate your honesty. There have been moments throughout NYCHA’s history that have tested the resiliency of this organization. Every time, our… MORE

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May 2018

A WIN for Former Chair Olatoye

NYCHA’s branch of the NAACP presented former Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye with the association’s first WIN (“Women in NAACP/Women in Non-traditional Jobs”) leadership award on April 25. Branch President Lynn Spivey thanked Ms. Olatoye for her “outstanding performance and unparalleled leadership,” highlighting several of her accomplishments that align with the NAACP’s vision, including increased… MORE

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HighlightedMay 2018

Kudos, Mr. Clemente

Tammy Daniels certainly knows good customer service when she sees it – she’s a customer service supervisor in NYCHA’s Human Resources Department. She’s also a lifelong resident of Riis Houses in Manhattan who was in need of some assistance during Winter Storm Toby, one of the many Nor’easters to bring snow and icy conditions to… MORE

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FeaturedMay 2018

Turning on the Heat

Sudari Freeman is a heating superintendent in Brooklyn. She’s also a native of the borough and a former resident of Sumner Houses. NYCHANow spoke with her to learn more about what she does. What does a heating superintendent do? I make sure that heat and hot water are maintained throughout the 24 developments I’m responsible… MORE

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April 2018

Woodson Houses Is Tops

NYCHA celebrated Earth Day by naming Woodson Houses, a development for seniors in Brooklyn, as the top recycler of all the Authority’s 325 developments. Thanks to the partnership between Woodson’s 433 residents and NYCHA staff, the development has a successful recycling program that captured over 25 percent of metal, glass, plastic, and paper recyclables in… MORE

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April 2018

Cold Day, Warm Hearts

On a sunny, cold early April day, more than 100 people attended a Wellness Fair outside Grant Houses. Organized by the Manhattan North Youth Leadership Council (YLC) in partnership with Moshulu Montefiore Community Center and the Grant Houses Resident Association, the fair featured plenty of activities to keep warm. A “marketplace” of vendors provided information… MORE

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April 2018

Electrical Connections

Nine NYCHA residents recently became members of Local Union 3 IBEW, the electrical workers’ union, with help from a new NYCHA partnership. Constellation NewEnergy, a NYCHA Energy Performance Contracts partner, worked with the Authority to offer an eight-week academic preparation course to prepare residents to take the competitive Local 3 aptitude test. The company partnered with… MORE

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April 2018

A New Season Takes Root

NYCHA kicked off the start of spring by gathering more than 260 resident gardeners on April 13 at the 16th Gardening and Urban Farming Conference. Hosted at the Johnson Community Center in Harlem, the conference provides an opportunity for gardeners to stay up-to-date on horticultural and environmental practices; connect with each other; and receive supplies… MORE

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April 2018

Permanent Appointment

Dear Colleagues, I joined NYCHA in February, and every day since, I have been inspired by the passion, drive, and commitment of our employees to support NYCHA’s mission and to achieve the critical goals of NextGeneration NYCHA. It’s that steadfast belief in the Authority, public housing, and our staff that led me to accept Mayor… MORE

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April 2018Highlighted

Erenisse Tavarez: NYCHA’s First Women’s History Month Awardee

Erenisse Tavarez, Acting Senior Vice President for Operations, was honored as the first-ever recipient of NYCHA’s Women’s History Month award. Chair Shola Olatoye presented the award to Ms. Tavarez along with a proclamation of gratitude from Council Member Alicka Ampry-Samuel, Chair of the Council’s Committee on Public Housing. “We are so honored to thank you… MORE

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April 2018

Celebrating the Employees Who Support NYCHA’s Families

On March 29, the Family Partnerships Department honored NYCHA’s social workers during a lively National Social Work Month breakfast celebration at the 90 Church Street Ceremonial Room. This year’s national theme – “Social Workers: Leaders, Advocates, Champions” – reflects NYCHA’s core values and the roles that the Authority’s social workers inhabit on a daily basis.… MORE

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April 2018Featured

300 and Counting!

When Mayor Bill de Blasio appointed her four years ago, NYCHA Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye committed to visiting as many developments as possible to reset the relationship with NYCHA’s stakeholders. She recently visited her 300th development – Tilden Houses in Brooklyn – and to commemorate this milestone, a few of her colleagues presented Chair… MORE

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HighlightedMarch 2018

Snow Day Cleanup

NYCHA staff arrived to work at 7 a.m. the morning of the March 21 nor’easter to begin snow removal, keeping our residents safe. Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye checked in with Smith Houses staff and Resident Association President Aixa Torres. Chair Olatoye and General Manager Vito Mustaciuolo also visited Jefferson Houses with Mayor Bill de Blasio and… MORE

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March 2018

NYCHA’s Hope

By Nayaba Arinde, Amsterdam News, March 1, 2018 Relentless and vitriolic has been the focused assault on NYCHA in general and the city agency’s Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye in particular. “I am solution-based,” Olatoye said in an exclusive interview this week. As she wrangles the burgeoning behemoth of a city within the city, “Let’s… MORE

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March 2018

“A Home to Be Proud Of”

What are residents supposed to do if they get locked out of their apartment? How can they join their development’s resident association? Need to know more about NYCHA’s pet policy or how to properly dispose of garbage, including recyclables? Get information on these topics and many more in NYCHA’s handbook for residents, A Home to… MORE

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FeaturedMarch 2018

Sharing Success

On February 22, the Authority held its first “speed mentoring” event for members of the NYCHA Youth Leadership Councils (YLC). Sixty high school students were connected to sixty mentors for a series of short and focused one-on-one conversations aimed at building their networking and public speaking skills. The mentors, who volunteered their time, included professionals… MORE

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February 2018

Clean, Green Comfort

Over 65,000 residents can look forward to upgrades to the lighting, heating, building ventilation, and water conservation systems at their developments. In March 2018, NYCHA will begin construction on two new Energy Performance Contracts (EPC) at 41 developments worth $103 million. The upgrades will save NYCHA $8.6 million a year and reduce energy use at… MORE

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February 2018

Apply Now for an Affordable Apartment in Harlem

Applications are being accepted now through April 6 for affordable apartments in a newly renovated building, Randolph Houses North, which was once part of the Authority’s Randolph Houses development. Through a partnership of NYCHA, the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development, the NYC Housing Development Corporation, Trinity Financial, West Harlem Group Assistance, Red Stone… MORE

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February 2018

HelpMeQuit

From the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene comes a new tool in the battle to quit smoking: the NYC HelpMeQuit app. Developed with input from smokers trying to quit, HelpMeQuit includes tips to stop cravings; social support from other people using the app and Facebook friends; connection to existing smoking cessation resources (such… MORE

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January 2018

Mayor Appoints New GM

NYCHA announced on January 22 that Michael Kelly is stepping down from his role as General Manager, effective February 22. Mayor Bill de Blasio has appointed Vito Mustaciuolo as acting General Manager while NYCHA performs a nationwide search for the position. Mustaciuolo was formerly the Deputy Commissioner for the Office of Enforcement and Neighborhood Services at the… MORE

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January 2018

NYCHA Is Hiring!

NYCHA is recruiting now for temporary and permanent positions at developments throughout the five boroughs. If you know anyone who might be interested, please have them call (212) 306-3922 or (212) 306-3608 to schedule an interview. Oil Burner Specialist (temporary position): Interested candidates may submit a cover letter and resume to www.nyc.gov/careers/search (search for JOB ID# 318197) Maintenance Worker… MORE

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January 2018News to Use

Kickstart Your Career

Employees seeking a new position or promotion at NYCHA can now receive individualized career counseling from an HR expert. This new service, launched January 2, provides a one-on-one assessment session covering: civil service examinations; occupational groupings; civil service titles and classification; appointment status; training and development; and promotions and other advancement opportunities. Employees can also… MORE

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December 2017

A Festival of Lights

Batei Tsibur, NYCHA’s organization of Jewish employees, ushered in Chanukah with its annual celebration on December 12, the first night of this eight-day “Festival of Lights.” Revelers lit the Chanukah menorah, sang traditional songs, and enjoyed refreshments and each other’s company. Batei Tsibur President Alan Pelikow discussed how Chanukah – “dedication” in Hebrew – commemorates… MORE

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December 2017

Ask Me Anything

During a meeting live-streamed to property management and central offices citywide, Chair Shola Olatoye answered questions submitted by staff about the Authority’s lead-based paint program. If you missed it, watch the recording below (the password is askshola). Stay tuned for future “Ask Me Anything” sessions, and start jotting down some questions!

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December 2017

Crime Drops at NYCHA

Crime is down 7 percent at NYCHA this year, with decreases in all five boroughs. ABC 7 covered this news in a recent broadcast. “In 2017, we made great progress in combating serious crime and safety issues across the Authority,” explained NYCHA’s Vice President for Public Safety “Chief” Gerald Nelson. “The Mayor’s Action Plan and… MORE

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December 2017

Prosperity Now!

On November 28, Tischelle George, NYCHA’s Senior Advisor for Community Engagement and Partnerships, participated in a panel discussion at a conference in Washington, DC, titled “Catalyzing Economic Mobility and Inclusion through Affordable Housing and Financial Capability Integration.” While the conference name might be a mouthful, its intentions were simple: Ms. George discussed how City agencies… MORE

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December 2017

‘Tis the Season

Join your friends and colleagues at the New York City Housing Authority Holiday Party! Tuesday, December 19, 2017, 6 PM – 10 PM The New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge 333 Adams Street, Brooklyn Purchase your ticket today! Tickets are $45 per person, which includes appetizers, assorted soft drinks, coffee, tea, and music. The Holiday… MORE

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December 2017

Dinner Is Served

Residents who were without cooking gas due to building repairs weren’t without a tasty meal this Thanksgiving, thanks to 41 NYCHA staff who generously donated their time. They provided a complete Thanksgiving feast to nearly 400 households at eight developments. Food was donated by Whole Foods and Hillsong Church NYC; volunteers distributed meals from the… MORE

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