June 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 June!
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Author: Michael Corwin
Community Conversations on Smoke-Free NYCHA
If you haven’t already heard, all public housing across the country—including NYCHA homes—will go smoke-free as of July 30, 2018, following a requirement from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. Smoke-Free NYCHA is designed to create healthier homes for residents and healthier working environments for employees by reducing exposure to secondhand smoke. The program… MORE
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Driving Success
Waldina Benedith, a Section 8 voucher holder in Brooklyn, was so pleased with her recent experience using one of NYCHA’s Digital Vans that she took the time to send NYCHA an email praising the van’s operator, Malin Bey: This morning I found out about the Digital Van through NYCHA’s website, including its location on Warren… MORE
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Housing Court 101
NYCHA employees are getting some valuable information about housing court proceedings. This spring, Deputy General Counsel Sam Mordi, along with Landlord and Tenant Division Chief Tracy Forrest, brought some clarity to a complicated process. In nine sessions covering all five boroughs, more than 500 property managers, assistant property managers, and housing assistants got tips on… MORE
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A Watchful Eye
A series of large screens on the wall monitor the CCTV security camera feeds from NYCHA’s central offices (250 Broadway, 90 Church Street, and Long Island City) as well as from the walk-in centers in Brooklyn and the Bronx; on the computer monitors below, footage from security cameras at 40 developments across the city can… MORE
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CAA Hosts Dragon Boat Festival
On June 13, NYCHA’s Chinese-American Association (CAA) and more than one hundred guests and participants gathered at 90 Church Street for a Dragon Boat Festival, a vibrant, annual celebration of Chinese history and culture. Nancy Lam, CAA Chair and Chief of NYCHA’s Leased Housing Department, kicked off the event by informing attendees that they could… MORE
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Safety Comes First
In recognition of National Safety Month, here are some tips from NYCHA’s Office of Safety and Security for staying safe on the job and at home. Have questions? Contact the Office of Safety and Security at 212-306-8800 or SafeNYCHA@nycha.nyc.gov. Prevent Slips, Trips, and Falls You might not think that slipping at home or tripping on… MORE
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NYCHA Speaks Residents’ Languages
The sounds of New York City on any given day include construction, horns honking, trains racing through tunnels, and New Yorkers speaking to each other in hundreds of languages. NYCHA has a policy to ensure that residents, Section 8 voucher holders, and applicants who have limited English proficiency (LEP) have meaningful access to its programs… MORE
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“Serving Our Residents Is Our Mantra”
On June 1, his first day at the Authority, Interim Chair and CEO Stanley Brezenoff dropped in on the brand-new “Exceptional Customer Service” training class at 250 Broadway. The daylong training provides regional asset managers, directors, housing managers, assistant managers, and caretakers with tools to enhance their interactions with residents as well as an opportunity… MORE
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A Fresh, New Look
Through the NGO property management model, property managers can use their budgets to create “model” buildings, upgrading and renovating common area spaces to make them more welcoming to residents. Two buildings at Manhattan’s East River Houses got brand-new floor tiles and a fresh coat of paint (see above), and more paint improvements are coming to… MORE
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Fun on the Run
On May 30, nearly a dozen members of NYCHA’s Running Club took part in the annual J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge in Central Park, and it was a good time for all. From left to right in the photo above, Maintenance Worker Alonzo Floyd, Senior Advisor Xiomara Carcamo, HR Deputy Director Robin Yudkovitz, Construction Safety &… MORE
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Teamwork Is Beautiful
With just some paint, brushes, and a can-do attitude, NYCHA staff, residents, and other members of the community created a beautiful, nature-themed mural at Manhattan’s St. Nicholas Houses. In the words of Housing Manager Vivian Sifontes: “I got my staff involved in this mural painting project – as well as our Neighborhood Coordination Officers, partners… MORE
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Props to the Riis Houses Grounds Crew
Riis Houses’ Supervising Housing Groundskeeper Shawn Collymore would like to give a shout-out to his grounds crew at the Manhattan development: “This picture pretty much sums up how we value each other’s abilities here at Riis. We collaborate as a unit, working together on our strengths, communicating effectively to get our daily assignments done. The… MORE
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Honoring the Heritage of Ethiopian Jews
Batei Tsibur, NYCHA’s organization of Jewish employees, held its annual Jewish Heritage Celebration on May 23 at the 90 Church Street Ceremonial Room. This year’s event recognized the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the modern State of Israel and the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem. Participants learned about an incredible piece of… MORE
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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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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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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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Message from Interim Chair & CEO Stanley Brezenoff
Dear Colleagues, I am excited to join you today as Interim Chair & CEO of the Housing Authority. As the landlord for a population the size of the city of Milwaukee, NYCHA is critical to the health and well-being of all New Yorkers. I want you to know that I care deeply about our city… MORE
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May Work Anniversaries
On a monthly basis, 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!
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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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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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Residents Can Apply Now for the NYCHA-CUNY Scholarships!
NYCHA offers multiple scholarships to support our residents as they increase their income and assets through higher education. All scholarships award one-time $1,000 grants to eligible residents who are pursuing undergraduate degrees at a City University of New York (CUNY) college. NYCHA-CUNY Resident Scholarship – for NYCHA residents who are full-time undergraduates at a CUNY… MORE
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Remembering Kisha Jackson
In April, the NYCHA community lost a beloved colleague. Kisha Jackson changed the lives of thousands of employees and residents during her more than 20 years of service. Over the past four years, Ms. Jackson connected residents to life-changing opportunities in her role as a REES Zone Coordinator for Downtown Brooklyn. She was also lauded… MORE
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Make a Difference in Your Workplace – Join the Employee Engagement Committee
Dear Colleagues, We have extended the deadline to apply to be a member of NYCHA’s Employee Engagement Committee (EEC). Applications are due by the close of business Friday, May 18, 2018. The EEC includes employees from all levels and titles throughout NYCHA. Its purpose is to develop plans that can help all NYCHA employees work… MORE
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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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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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NYCHA Changemakers
Get to know the first group of NYCHA Changemakers – employees who use our core values to create meaningful, sustainable change in every aspect of their work.
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April Work Anniversaries
On a monthly basis, 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!
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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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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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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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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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You’re Hired!
More than 180 job seekers attended a job fair at 90 Church Street’s 5th Floor Ceremonial Room on April 11, hoping to get a position at NYCHA as a maintenance worker, heating plant technician (HPT), oil burner specialist, or housing assistant. And almost all of them received job offers by the end of the event.… MORE
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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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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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New Interim Chair of NYCHA
NYCHA’s new Interim Chair Stanley Brezenoff says he’s failing at retirement. The long-time public servant from East New York, Brooklyn, has worked ceaselessly for New York City since the 1980s. On June 1 he will join NYCHA to continue the work of improving New York City’s public housing. “Anyone who knows Stan knows he is one… MORE
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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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The Fair Housing Act: 50 Years of Progress and Setbacks
April 11 marked the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, which made it illegal to deny any individual housing based on a person’s skin color, religion, or country of origin, protecting marginalized groups from discrimination in the housing market and providing them with equal opportunity to rent or purchase homes. Upon signing the act… MORE
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65 Roof Replacements Completed
On April 5, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the completion of 65 new roofs on NYCHA buildings, benefitting the quality of life of almost 13,000 residents by reducing leaks and mold. “Residents may never see the new roof over their heads, but they will feel the difference. We are targeting a major source of leaks… MORE
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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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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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Cancer Screenings Covered by Paid Leave
As of March 18, 2018, NYCHA employees can use up to a total of four hours of excused, paid leave per year to undergo any type of cancer screening during their regular work hours. Employees should submit a “Leave of Absence Request” to their supervisor, noting that the request is for a cancer screening. If… MORE
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Reuniting Families, Reigniting Hope
It was a celebration without titles and status, focused on families and second chances. On March 22, families, participants, and partners gathered to applaud the success of NYCHA’s Family Re-entry Program. Launched in November 2013, the Family Re-entry Program (FRP) enables people who have been recently released from incarceration to live with their families in… MORE
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Leroy Williams: Service Superstar
On April 5, Leroy Williams received the 2017 Excellence in Customer Service Award from the Mayor’s Office of Operations at a ceremony at NYPD headquarters. Over his 20 years of service, Mr. Williams has become known to many employees and residents alike. NYCHANow spoke to him about the award, his career at NYCHA, and what… MORE
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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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Celebrating Years of Success
Roseann and Kenneth Case are celebrating their 42nd wedding anniversary in October. And on March 30, they celebrated their last day of work at NYCHA. Both worked for the Queens/Staten Island Property Management Department – Kenneth as a supervisor painter and Roseann as a secretary. Between the two of them, they have 50 years of… MORE
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March Work Anniversaries
On a monthly basis, 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!
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News from the Chair on Funding
Dear Colleagues, I am pleased to be able to share some very significant and positive news with you. Congress passed a bill that increases our funding to levels we have not seen in decades. We will be able to more aggressively address repair needs in our buildings with a 46% increase – $160 million more… MORE
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Cathy Pennington Appointed EVP of Operations
Cathy Pennington has been appointed Executive Vice President (EVP) of Operations. In this role, Cathy will oversee the activities of the Operations Division, comprised of approximately 8,700 staff in three divisions: Property Management, Support Services, and the NextGeneration Operations (NGO) Department. Cathy has served as Acting EVP of Operations since December 2017. She first joined… MORE
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Free Tax Prep for New Yorkers Earning $54,000 or Less
Many tax sites promise fast filing and instant refunds. Yet users often find that they are paying more than they thought for service and getting less in return. To ensure that you get the most from tax credits and refunds, NYCHA’s Office of Resident Economic Empowerment and Sustainability (REES) is once again offering the Virtual… MORE
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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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Read All About It: NYCHA Performance Stats Available in Real Time
NYCHA residents can use new digital tools on the NYCHA website to track NYCHA’s progress on repairs and construction. Outages Dashboard: The improved “Outages Dashboard,” which tracks heat and hot water outages, is automatically updated multiple times each day. Visitors to the site will now have the same information NYCHA has about when an outage… MORE
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Make a Difference in Your Workplace – Join the Employee Engagement Committee
We are excited to announce the application period for the second cohort of NYCHA’s Employee Engagement Committee (EEC). This is an opportunity for NYCHA employees from all titles to help your colleagues be productive and creative in their work; enhance their own professional development; and assist NYCHA in achieving its goal of preserving public housing… MORE
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Major Study Finds Lighting Cut Crime by 39%
In partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, the New York City Police Department and the New York City Housing Authority, the scientific research team Crime Lab designed a six-month randomized controlled trial involving nearly 80 public housing developments, all of which had elevated levels of crime. About half of the developments received new,… MORE
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Chair Olatoye’s Fourth Anniversary Tour
On March 2, Chair & CEO Shola Olatoye marked her fourth anniversary with NYCHA by spending the day meeting with staff and residents at a number of developments. Despite heavy rain and winds, Chair Olatoye met with residents and staff at Dyckman Houses in Manhattan, Ravenswood Houses in Queens, Sumner Houses in Brooklyn, and Middletown Plaza in… MORE
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NYCHA Celebrates International Women’s Day
Dear Colleagues, Today is International Women’s Day, an annual commemoration to celebrate women’s accomplishments and bring worldwide attention to discrimination against women. NYCHA’s creation is in large part due to the work of larger-than-life women like Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of New York and then the United States, and Mary K. Simkhovitch, president of the… MORE
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Change Lives: Sign up for SYEP!
For over 50 years, the City’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) has been a valuable source of job training, income, and education for young people living in NYCHA’s developments. In fact, many of our colleagues got their start with NYCHA through SYEP. “As a 14-year-old growing up in Jefferson Houses, I obtained my first SYEP… MORE
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Black History Month Celebration Honors NYCHA Veterans
NYCHA celebrated Black History Month with a lively gathering in the 90 Church Street Ceremonial Room on February 28. In recognition of this year’s national Black History Month theme of “African Americans in Times of War,” Chair Shola Olatoye acknowledged the veterans in attendance: “You represent not just NYCHA’s core values of collaboration and respect,… MORE
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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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“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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Spreading the Word
As our current Employee Engagement Committee (EEC) members’ annual terms come to a close, we have shifted our efforts to engaging colleagues in the work we have been doing. At January’s meeting, we made plans to visit employees in a variety of locations to discuss NYCHA’s core values and the new Changemakers Campaign, which features… MORE
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NextGen Neighborhoods Development at La Guardia Houses Moves Forward
NYCHA and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) released a request asking developers to submit proposals for a new mixed-income building at La Guardia Houses. Half of the units in the building will be rented at market rates while the other half will be affordable housing. As part of the… MORE
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February Work Anniversaries
On a monthly basis, 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!
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Spotlight on IT Department Employee Nina Winer
As a member of NYCHA’s IT Project Management Office, Nina Winer knows that information security is the responsibility of every single NYCHA employee. She strives to show employees how, through careful and intelligent use of technology, we can help safeguard NYCHA’s systems and data while fulfilling our mission of providing safe, clean, and connected housing… MORE
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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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Four Years of Progress Under Chair & CEO Shola Olatoye
Over the past four years, under the leadership of Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye, NYCHA has made critical advancements to improve customer service, repairs, and permanent renovations. Listen to NYCHA employees and residents talk about the Authority’s progress.
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Celebrate Black History Month with Us!
Dear Colleagues, Black History Month is an opportunity to remember our past and celebrate our accomplishments. This history is all of our stories — hard work in the face of unimaginable obstacles, ordinary lives lived, and extraordinary achievements that continue to shape every aspect of the American experience. We need to look no further than… MORE
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Recovery to Resiliency
On February 14, NYCHA released a 2017 End of Year Report on the $3 billion FEMA grant to the Authority to repair and renovate the 33 NYCHA developments devastated by Superstorm Sandy. The FEMA grant, awarded in December 2015, is the largest in history. NYCHA’s report accounts for all money previously spent on recovery and resilience… MORE
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Chair Olatoye’s Statement on the President’s Budget
“Public Housing is a critical resource which keeps New York City running by providing affordable homes for both the City’s public servants, like our nurses, teachers, and police officers, as well as seniors, veterans, and the disabled. No one should be displaced from their community because the federal government has turned its back on them,… MORE
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“Shola Olatoye Deserves Our Support”
“City & State” published an op-ed written by Hazel N. Dukes, President of the NAACP New York State Conference, on February 7, 2018: There is a special vitriol our media and political class reserve for powerful women of color. Today, New York City’s Public Housing Authority Chairwoman Shola Olatoye is on the receiving end of it.… MORE
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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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PACT Bringing Major Renovations and Repairs for 1,700 Apartments
NYCHA has chosen three developers (see list below) to provide $300 million in repairs and renovations to 1,700 apartments at 17 developments in the Bronx and Brooklyn, improving quality of life for 4,000 residents by replacing elevators, boilers and heating systems, and renovating bathrooms and kitchens. Residents in these developments will see $316 million invested… MORE
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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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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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Mayor Supports NYCHA Heat Upgrades
Nearly 45,000 NYCHA residents at 20 developments with chronic heat outages will see their aging boilers replaced and heating systems upgraded by 2022. Mayor Bill de Blasio pledged $200 million for repairs and new equipment, which will also save about $5 million per year in energy costs. The funding will be used to: Replace outdated boilers: 10… MORE
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Sterling Members of NYCHA’s Team
Rasmia Kirmani-Frye, NYCHA’s Director of Public/Private Partnerships and the President of the Fund for Public Housing, and Sideya Sherman, NYCHA’s Executive Vice President for Community Engagement and Partnerships, were among the 48 leaders selected to join the Sterling Network NYC. The first network of its kind in the city, the Network was created by the… MORE
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Pairs with Purpose
In October, Deputy Director for Community Safety Strategies Andre Cirilo organized a fundraiser on Staten Island that raised more than $1,000 and collected nearly two dozen boxes of supplies for victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. Recently, he and members of NYCHA’s Culture & Arts Exchange employee organization partnered with Why Not Care, a… MORE
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Black History Month
Dear Colleagues, February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate the major contributions African Americans have made to all facets of American life, from the advancement of equal rights to excellence in the arts and sciences. We remember those who came before us, whose perseverance in the face of adversity continues to inspire. And… MORE
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Safeguarding Our Seas
Daryl Grey, a 14-year NYCHA veteran, supervises a team of four technicians who configure and deploy Android smartphones and tablets and perform high-level repairs at the Authority. As a volunteer, Mr. Grey also commands a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Auxiliary flotilla (unit) based in Sheepshead Bay. He appoints the Flotilla Staff Officers, leads and supervises… MORE
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January Work Anniversaries
On a monthly basis, 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!
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Phishing 101
In January, NYCHA rolled out a new cyber awareness training program. As part of the program, network users received suspicious email messages known as fake phish and then training assignments from the NYCHA Cyber Awareness Team. The Cyber Awareness Team is led by Information, Security, and Risk’s Chief IT Auditor, Jeffery Benson, and composed of… MORE
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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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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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NYCHA’s Youth Leaders Get Connected
Youth Leadership Council member Mya Pyle (at right in the photo above) receives a free tablet from Curtis Williams, Manager of NYCHA’s Resident Engagement Department. All 150 members of NYCHA’s 15 Youth Leadership Councils got free tablets courtesy of T-Mobile, NYCHA, and the City of New York that they can use for developing projects to help their communities. In 2016,… MORE
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From Caretaker to Supervisor: An NRTA Success Story
Karen Callender never pictured herself in a career involving manual labor – but when she saw information about the NYCHA Resident Training Academy (NRTA) in The NYCHA Journal soon after her corporate office position of 14 years had been eliminated, she wanted to try something new. The NRTA, managed by NYCHA’s Office of Resident Economic… MORE
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The New Year Brings a New Senior Center to Red Hook
Red Hook East Houses residents Gertrude “Trudie” Holzendorf, 94, and Candida Delgado, 88, had been anxiously waiting for this moment for five years. On December 15, they got a sneak peek at the new Red Hook Senior Center; the former center had been destroyed by Superstorm Sandy. The center officially opened for programming in January. Ms.… MORE
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A NYCHA Alumnus Partners with the Authority
In October, as the deputy chief operating officer of the City University of New York (CUNY), Ron Spalter represented CUNY at the launch of NYCHA’s announcement of its first large-scale solar energy program. He’d come a long way from the NYCHA development where he started his life in 1946. Mr. Spalter lived with his parents… MORE
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First Class of Sandy Pre-Apprenticeship Program Graduates
Wyckoff Houses resident Alex Rodriguez wants to become an electrician and join a union. NYCHA’s Pathways to Apprenticeship helped him create a road map to reach that goal. On November 6, Mr. Rodriguez and 22 fellow NYCHA residents graduated from the first class of Pathways to Apprenticeship. The program, for NYCHA residents affected by Superstorm… MORE
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NYCHA’s Holiday Bash
Employees from across the Authority dressed up and boogied down on December 19 at the New York Marriott in Brooklyn to celebrate the holidays and a year of hard work and many successes.
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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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The Elected Officials’ Guide to NYCHA
NYCHA’s Office of Intergovernmental Relations (known as “Intergov”) acts as a liaison between the Authority and elected officials at all levels (city, state, and federal). The Intergov team works with elected officials to craft legislation, organize capital funding, and make sure their constituents have safe, clean, and connected homes. Intergov partners with a variety of… MORE
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December Work Anniversaries
On a monthly basis, NYCHANow will recognize 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!
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Working Up a Storm
Even before “Bomb Cyclone” Grayson arrived in New York on January 4, many NYCHA residents were struggling with heat and hot water outages across the five boroughs due to an early cold spell that began just after Christmas, testing NYCHA’s aging infrastructure. In response to the extremely cold weather, NYCHA staff have been working 24/7 to… MORE
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Now That’s NextGen!
It was a typical day for Dominique Derville, a housing assistant at the CCC Walk-in Center in Brooklyn, as she cheerfully answered the questions of residents and Section 8 voucher holders and made sure they understood the information she provided. Little did she know, however, that some of these residents were really staff from the… MORE
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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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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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Congratulations to Capital Projects
The Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) recognized NYCHA’s excellence in managing a $5 million security enhancement project with the 2017 CMAA Project Achievement Award in the category of residential/mixed-use construction under $10 million. To improve residents’ security and quality of life, NYCHA installed 239 CCTV cameras and layered access control at 45 buildings in… MORE
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