NYCHA Chair Greg Russ knows that improving and preserving NYCHA’s aging buildings through PACT and Blueprint for Change aren’t risks for residents but instead bring great benefits. That’s because his efforts as head of the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority – his previous position – are bringing beautiful, modern apartments to residents there. A recent article in the Star Tribune describes how the federal… MORE
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“Love where you live.” That was one of the messages from NYCHA residents who produced videos detailing how they are helping to shape safety interventions in their communities. Led by the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, a virtual summit held in late January brought together NYCHA resident leaders, local government officials, and policy makers to discuss how these safety interventions can influence policy. … MORE
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Residents of Staten Island’s Stapleton Houses may soon notice some brightly colored signs promoting health and wellness, family support, youth programming, and career opportunities while walking the grounds. The yellow and black directories are not calling attention to self-help services but rather to a dedicated outdoor space where residents can get access to a variety of information on beneficial community resources. Dubbed “Stapleton… MORE
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The Federal Monitor approved NYCHA’s initial Pest and Waste Management Action Plan for improving the Authority’s benchmarks for waste and pest control across NYCHA’s 316 developments. The approval of the plan follows several improvements the Authority has made over the past two years, from the creation of a dedicated Waste Management department that prioritizes prevention and intervention… MORE
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Over the past two years NYCHA has developed a sophisticated online system for tracking lead activities; conducted more than 91,000 visual assessments; and organized several outreach campaigns to better identify apartments where children under the age of six are present The Federal Monitor has approved NYCHA’s initial lead-based paint Action Plan for improving the Authority’s benchmarks for lead compliance and abatement. NYCHA has already proactively been implementing many of the initiatives in this Action Plan. The Monitor’s approval will… MORE
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To date, more than 7,500 NYCHA residents have benefitted from major building improvements, facade upgrades, and apartment renovations completed since 2016. The work was accomplished as part of the Authority’s Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program, which is a key component of the NYCHA 2.0 strategy to repair and preserve over 62,000 apartments while safeguarding… MORE
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Equipped with tape measures and a mobile app, a group of current and former NYCHA residents were on a mission this past fall to document a segment of the Authority’s tree canopy to better examine the trees’ positive impacts on the surrounding community. Over the course of two months, the crews inspected more than 3,000 trees of varying species… MORE
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For many people across the world, digital communication was the only way to have face-to-face family gatherings this holiday season. But for those lacking the technology, the holidays may have been even less of a family occasion than usual. One NYCHA senior, however, was able to get connected this Christmas, thanks to the quick actions of NYCHA staff. Justine Samuel, who said… MORE
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NYCHA’s Skilled Trades Pilot Program, developed as part of the Authority’s Blueprint for Change’s Transformation Plan, is already transforming how NYCHA operates. Since its implementation on October 26, overall productivity has increased by 18 percent for maintenance and skilled trades repairs. The program focuses on decentralizing the skilled trades, which includes staff who make apartment repairs, such as painters, plasterers, carpenters, plumbers and electricians, and changing the work order system, so staff have… MORE
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At its 64th annual celebration of its founder, the nonprofit Hudson Guild honored NYCHA residents who took action during an unprecedented time to assist their neighbors in the Chelsea community with essential services. The virtual awards ceremony was held on December 9 to commemorate Hudson Guild founder Dr. John Lovejoy Elliott by recognizing Chelsea neighborhood leaders for outstanding… MORE
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NYCHA’s farms celebrated the holiday season with winter-themed events where residents offered their visions on the future of local Eco-Hubs in addition to receiving healthy food donations. The free Winter Cheer events also provided the NYCHA community with holiday decorating and hot cocoa, as well as raffle prizes for those attendees who shared feedback on Eco-Hub programs. Approximately… MORE
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Construction is nearly complete and a housing lottery is underway for a new 180-unit affordable apartment building on NYCHA’s Van Dyke campus in Brooklyn. The 100 percent affordable housing project, known as Van Dyke III, includes 179 permanently affordable residential apartments and one superintendent’s unit, and will set aside 54 apartments for formerly homeless residents in the Brownsville neighborhood. Approximately 90 percent of the 12-story building… MORE
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NYCHA resident Adrienne Gregoire calls them the “aha” moments. They are the times when Ms. Gregoire sees her fellow seniors learn to use digital gadgets like tablets and discover the wide-ranging benefits of technology. “It’s incredible that there’s always something to learn, and it gives you hope,” said Ms. Gregoire, 69, who grew up in NYCHA housing in… MORE
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A force of hundreds of staff from across the Authority is now working with their colleagues to share news about the organization’s plan for the future and help ensure that various issues are resolved for the NYCHA community. Known as Change Ambassadors, these employees have committed to a voluntary role to support the Change Network under NYCHA’s Transformation Plan. As NYCHA implements its Blueprint… MORE
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They are on the front line of helping to identify potential safety hazards for NYCHA workers and the larger community. NYCHA’s Safety Associates take on a volunteer role in addition to their regular job duties to ensure that safety-related issues are reported to their supervisors and help prevent on-the-job injuries. They also serve as advocates for safer working conditions, and with… MORE
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New heating system upgrades are nearly complete for NYCHA residents living at two Brooklyn developments and one property in Manhattan. All new equipment has been installed and is awaiting final testing for boiler replacement projects at Fiorentino Plaza and Long Island Baptist Houses in Brooklyn as well as Robinson Houses in Harlem. All three projects are more than 90 percent complete and are… MORE
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More Than 2,900 Manhattan Residents to Benefit On November 30, NYCHA announced a Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) deal with PACT Renaissance Collaborative (PRC) to provide more than $271 million in major repairs and renovations for 1,718 NYCHA apartments throughout Manhattan. The money will be used to modernize apartments and buildings at each of the 16 selected sites, while also providing residents with access to employment opportunities affiliated with… MORE
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The issue of clean air took center stage at a NYCHA virtual open mic event for youth on November 19. Hosted by NYCHA’s smoke-free liaisons, the interactive event promoted the importance of living in a smoke-free environment and allowed participants to share their vision of clean air for all. The open mic was held in sync with the… MORE
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The NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) celebrated Veterans Day this year with a Veterans in City Government CityTalk Panel. The virtual event featured a panel of veterans who now work at City agencies such as NYCHA, ACS, DORIS, DOT, DoITT, FDNY, and DVS. The five inspiring panelists discussed their professional journeys, from enlisting… MORE
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NYCHA residents at four Queens developments may start to notice faster repairs and fewer delays with skilled maintenance jobs, as well as a more efficient work order process, under a new pilot program that has taken effect in the community. The Authority’s Skilled Trades Pilot Program – which launched in late October at Astoria Houses, Ravenswood Houses,… MORE
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Thinking about quitting or cutting back on your tobacco use? In recognition of the Great American Smokeout campaign, NYCHA is encouraging all employees who are seeking cessation information to enroll in the City’s Employee Smoking Cessation Assistance Program (ESCAPE). The American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout is observed this year on November 19 and encourages smokers to take an important step toward a healthier life and reducing the risk… MORE
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Like many students her age, Connie Aleman planned to attend college away from home. The resident of Saint Mary’s Park Houses was all set to enroll at Ithaca College during the summer of 2015 when those plans suddenly had to be pushed aside. Shortly after her high school graduation, Ms. Aleman’s mother passed away, forcing the then-17-year-old aspiring college student to step in… MORE
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A new community center has been dedicated at NYCHA’s Marcy Houses, creating a safe activity space for youth and adults that will bring educational and cultural programming to the neighborhood. City officials, including Mayor Bill de Blasio, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, and City Council Member Robert Cornegy, Jr., marked the opening on November 6 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the development in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Also in attendance… MORE
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With a range of health and safety protocols in place, the Harvest Festivals at NYCHA’s farms delivered another season of fall-themed family fun this October. The free events provided the NYCHA community with pumpkin carving/decorating, arts and crafts, as well as music, potato sack races, and a variety of healthy snacks. A total of 435 visitors, including more than 250 children, participated in the festivities at five Farms at NYCHA sites. The… MORE
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The pandemic may have temporarily forced them out of service, but NYCHA’s Digital Vans are now hitting the road again. And residents can feel safe to jump on board the free computer-labs-on-wheels, thanks to a variety of health and safety measures put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We realize our obligation to ensure the safety of our residents and staff… MORE
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