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NYCHA Now
Celebrations December 2024 Exceptional Colleagues Health & Safety 

Building Healthy Communities: A Milestone Event for the Healthy Homes Team

Joshua Olesker

On November 12, NYCHA’s Healthy Homes Department and the Authority’s leadership came together at the Johnson Community Center to recognize the Healthy Homes team for their extraordinary work in the area of resident health and safety and their customer service efforts.

The event marked the very first time the entire Healthy Homes roster had come together in person. “It really meant a lot just to have everybody in one place – this was the first time certain staff were able to meet each other!” said Elena Tenchikova, Vice President of the Office of Mold Assessment and Remediation. “They may have worked together but never actually met in person. In some cases, this was the first time that colleagues who truly rely on one another ever had the chance to mingle!”

Jegan Abraham, Director of the Office of Water Quality, welcomed the assembly and highlighted the importance of teamwork and customer service in achieving NYCHA’s goals. Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt then praised the Healthy Homes team’s achievements on behalf of NYCHA residents. “Exemplary customer service like yours is just so important!” said Ms. Bova-Hiatt. “It takes extraordinary dedication and effort to overcome extraordinary challenges – and you’re doing it! You go above and beyond every day in service to our mission and to our residents. And the results of your hard work are just so impressive.”

Chief Operating Officer Eva Trimble also conveyed her appreciation of Healthy Homes’ achievements. “You’re all doing an amazing job with an immense, and immensely important, task,” Ms. Trimble said. “It’s an honor to be your colleague. I’m excited to continue our vital mission of transforming NYCHA and transforming residents’ quality of life. Let’s keeping showing the community what NYCHA can do!”

NYCHA Executive Vice President of Property Management Operations Dan Greene and Senior Vice President for Healthy Homes Jaclyn Sullivan also spoke. “The work that this department is doing is changing NYCHA forever, and it’s important to pause and recognize that,” said Ms. Sullivan. “I know the job isn’t easy – but because of the incredible work that this team is doing, residents are able to live in a lead-free, asbestos-free, and mold-free home with exceptional water quality. I’m glad we were able to show the Healthy Homes team that their dedication to providing exceptional service to our residents does not go unnoticed.”

The centerpiece of the day was a dynamic team-building activity focused on customer service. Participants collaborated to address real-life scenarios, share best practices, and brainstorm innovative approaches to serving NYCHA residents. This hands-on session emphasized the importance of team members’ working together across the Healthy Homes sub-units, which play distinct but interconnected roles in the Healthy Homes mission:

  • The Asbestos Department ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while managing a range of asbestos-related issues.
  • The Office of Mold Assessment and Remediation, which includes the Office of Water Quality, focuses on mold and leak prevention, water quality management, and compliance with the federal Baez consent decree.
  • The Lead Hazard Control Department safeguards residents, particularly children under 6 years old, through lead assessments, abatements, and compliance with the NYCHA Lead Action Plan.

“The Healthy Homes Customer Service Event was more than just a gathering,” Ms. Tenchikova said. “It was a milestone in this team’s journey toward excellence in environmental health and safety. By fostering teamwork and prioritizing customer service, Healthy Homes reaffirmed its commitment to delivering on NYCHA’s mission. I am so proud to work with such fantastic professionals!”

For more information about how NYCHA works to keep New Yorkers’ homes healthy, please visit the following resource pages:

Asbestos – https://www.nyc.gov/site/nycha/residents/asbestos.page

Lead – https://www.nyc.gov/site/nycha/residents/lead-safety.page

Lead-Based Paint Report – XRF Testing Initiative: https://my.nycha.info/PublicSite/Transparency/XrfReport

Mold – https://www.nyc.gov/site/nycha/residents/mold-busters.page