Empowering Leadership at NYCHA: The Coaching and Mentoring Leadership Academy

On August 20, NYCHA hosted a kickoff event for the second cohort of its Coaching and Mentoring Leadership Academy (CMLA), a groundbreaking program designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders at NYCHA and help them build their professional skills and effectiveness. The kickoff, which took place at NYCHA’s 90 Church Street headquarters, was attended… MORE

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NYCHA Staff Improve Inspection Scores

NYCHA’s Operations team has been very hard at work over the last year getting ready for the rollout of new inspection standards that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) implemented for public housing authorities. The National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE), which was unveiled in July 2023, marks… MORE

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Guest Column: Help Us Reduce Pests at Your Development!

From Vice President of Pest Management Josey Bartlett & Pest Management Technical Advisors Lashawn Wilson & Geeton Bowier  The authors of this guest column – Josey Bartlett, Lashawn Wilson, and Geeton Bowier – lead a team of more than 300 people committed to reducing and eliminating pests from apartments, grounds, basements, and public spaces at… MORE

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Preparedness Month Spotlight: Meet Faye Peithman, Continuity Planner 

NYCHA employee Faye Peithman still remembers the damage left behind after Superstorm Sandy ripped through her community of Rockaway Beach.  Among the New Yorkers who stayed home when the coastal storm struck the New York City area in October 2012, Ms. Peithman witnessed intense flooding on the streets and a fire just a block away… MORE

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New and Improved Self-Service Kiosks

Enhancing Accessibility and Efficiency  In every NYCHA property management office across the city sits a tool that helps residents interact with essential Authority services: Self-Service Kiosks. To make it even easier for residents to access NYCHA’s online services, the kiosks were upgraded with additional features.   From paying rent and submitting work orders to completing annual… MORE

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“Julydration” Event Hosted at 90 Church Street

On July 17, the WorkWell NYC Program produced a special “Julydration” meetup event on the 6th floor of NYCHA’s 90 Church Street offices coordinated and hosted by NYCHA WorkWell NYC Ambassadors Chanda Coble, Sharon Dhanraj, Paula Flynn, and Beverly Weathers. The “Julydration” Summer 2024 gathering was a two-hour midday opportunity for 90 Church Street staff… MORE

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NYCHA CEO Delivers Keynote at Commercial Observer’s Public Projects Forum 

On June 18, NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt delivered a keynote address at the Commercial Observer’s Design and Construction Public Projects Forum, which brought together hundreds of housing professionals at the CUNY Graduate Center in Manhattan to discuss the innovative public projects shaping our city’s future.  CEO Bova-Hiatt discussed the challenges confronting New York… MORE

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City Management Academy Picks 2 NYCHA Leaders for 2024 Program 

A New York City government initiative to equip leaders with management best practices has selected two NYCHA managers for separate cohorts this year.   The NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services’ (DCAS) Management Academy is a rigorous three-month program intended to provide participants with strategies, skills, and acumen needed to meet the demands of managing in… MORE

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Meet LaToya Ramseur, Assistant Director of Public Housing Tenancy Operations 

LaToya Ramseur began her career at NYCHA in 2010 working at the Customer Contact Center in Long Island City as a Customer Information Representative and is now the Assistant Director of the Conversion Unit in Public Housing Tenancy Operations. No matter her job title, her favorite work at the Authority has always been helping residents. … MORE

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Celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month: Meet Aaron Trauring, IT Senior Program Manager 

Soon after entering the NYCHA workforce over 21 years ago, Aaron Trauring joined the Jewish Employees Organization (Batei Tsibur).   Learning there was an existing group of Jewish NYCHA employees who cohesively promote Jewish culture, acts of kindness, and community spirit, Mr. Trauring was pleased to become a member.  “I thought it was a great opportunity… MORE

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Serving NYCHA Since 1982: Meet the Castellano-Gencarelli Family

NYCHA roots run deep in many families, but one family has a unique connection to the agency. The Castellano-Gencarelli family boasts three generations of employees, with a combined 65 years of NYCHA work experience.    Christina Gencarelli (currently Deputy Director of Vendor Diversity), her mother Christina Castellano-Gencarelli, and her grandmother Marie Castellano, have each devoted… MORE

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NYCHA CEO Honored with Salvadori Center’s Public Service Award 

NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt was honored with the Salvadori Center’s 2024 Award for Public Service at the non-profit organization’s annual benefit on May 1.  Established in 1987, the Salvadori program teaches science, technology, engineering, arts/architecture, and math (STEAM) to youth through a collaborative, hands-on, project-based approach that uses the built environment – buildings,… MORE

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Celebrating Administrative Professionals Day

Meet Evelyn Sanchez, Executive Assistant to the CEO  Evelyn Sanchez has a front-row seat to the demanding work schedule of NYCHA’s top leader.   Working as Executive Assistant to Lisa Bova-Hiatt, the Chief Executive Officer of the nation’s largest public housing authority, may come with an imposing list of tasks on some days, but Ms. Sanchez… MORE

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Thought Leader Events Address Diversity, Resiliency 

As the largest public housing authority in the country, NYCHA is served by numerous thought leaders, employees whose expertise in a specific field can help shape policies and develop innovative solutions to challenging problems.    NYCHA regularly participates in a variety of thought leadership events, which provide opportunities for staff to promote programs and initiatives centered… MORE

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Meet Adriane Curry

Neighborhood Service Coordinator Supports and Empowers Resident Association Leaders Adriane “Cookie” Curry is a Neighborhood Service Coordinator who supports and assists resident associations (RA) in Queens – though the resident association presidents she works with say she’s more like family.  In her role as a member of the Resident Participation and Civic Engagement (RPCE) team,… MORE

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NYCHA Employee Receives Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award

On March 15, Margarita Cabral, Senior Administrative Manager in the Lead Hazard Control Department, received a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award (also known as the Presidential Volunteer Service Award) for her community activism and advocacy. A White House-authorized certifying organization presented a surprised Ms. Cabral with her award while she was hosting a symposium on sickle… MORE

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Caretakers Step Up During Planned Elevator Modernization Outages

When Ms. May, a 102-year-old resident of Amsterdam Houses, needs to run errands, she calls her property management office for some assistance. This is because Amsterdam Houses is one of several NYCHA developments across New York City whose elevators are undergoing necessary modernization upgrades. As a result, the elevators have planned outages, and people who… MORE

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NYCHA Events Celebrate Black History Month 

Black History Month was celebrated throughout NYCHA this February with festivities and recognitions of community members who have worked to empower their neighborhoods through the arts, advocacy, and civic engagement.   Residents and employees were joined by community partners for events honoring the contributions and sacrifices of African Americans, while paying tribute to this year’s Black… MORE

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NYCHA Executive David Rohde Recognized as a ‘Notable General Counsel’ 

NYCHA’s Executive Vice President (EVP) for Legal Affairs and General Counsel David Rohde has been named among the city’s 2024 Notable General Counsels by Crain’s New York Business.  The publication’s annual list of Notable General Counsels celebrates the lawyers who are considered vital to New York City’s business community. Mr. Rohde, who was appointed to… MORE

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Chinese-American Association Hosts Year of the Dragon Celebration 

On February 9, NYCHA’s Chinese-American Association held its annual Lunar New Year luncheon with fellow staff, celebrating the Year of the Dragon in 2024.   “In Chinese culture, the dragon holds a significant place as an auspicious and extraordinary creature, unparalleled in talent and excellence,” explained Qi “Linda” Zhang, President of the Chinese-American Association and NYCHA’s… MORE

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Meet Jegan Abraham, Director of NYCHA’s Office of Water Quality

Making sure that residents have access to clean, safe water is one of NYCHA’s top priorities. In late 2022, NYCHA’s Office of Water Quality (OWQ) was established to centralize and ensure the Authority’s control of water safety and quality issues in all of its developments. The OWQ assesses and addresses any level of bacteria detected… MORE

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Energy-Efficient Heating System Replaces NYCHA’s Oldest Boilers at Berry Houses 

Former boilers were maintained by veteran heating technicians for decades  This past fall, a newly installed set of boilers started running for the first time at Berry Houses, just as NYCHA entered another heating season.   It was the beginning of a new era for the Staten Island development, where NYCHA’s longest running boilers –… MORE

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Batei Tsibur’s Annual Chanukah Celebration

On December 11, 2023, the Organization of Jewish Employees at NYCHA (Batei Tsibur) held a Chanukah celebration in NYCHA’s Ceremonial Room at 90 Church Street (and virtually, for those unable to attend in person). Chanukah, also called the Festival of Lights, commemorates the miracle of one day’s worth of sacred oil lasting eight days (which… MORE

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Community Engagement and Improvement Top of Mind for New Safety and Security Director 

Anthony Kotarski, the newly appointed Director of NYCHA’s Office of Safety and Security, cares about keeping New Yorkers safe.    The Queens native, whose career spans community policing, organized criminal and internal investigations, and private security, was excited to take up this new position in November and continue the Office of Safety and Security’s dedication… MORE

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NYCHA Receives Award for National Disability Employment Awareness Month 

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is celebrated annually in October to recognize the contributions of people with disabilities to the workforce. During this month, NYCHA was honored with an award from VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired for hiring and supporting a VISIONS/Services participant.  VISIONS/Services is an organization that assists people who are… MORE

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NYCHA REES and City Tech Win CEANY’s Outstanding Business Collaboration Award for 2023

NYCHA’s Office of Resident Economic Empowerment & Sustainability (REES) and the New York City College of Technology were honored together on November 9 by the Continuing Education Association of New York (CEANY), which awarded the partnership their James C. Hall Program Outstanding Business/Organization Collaboration award for 2023 in recognition of the continuing success of the NYCHA… MORE

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NYCHA at the 53rd Annual New York City Marathon 

Several NYCHA employees, including members of its very own Running Club, joined over 51,000 other runners competing in the third largest edition of the annual New York City Marathon to date.  The marathon, now in its 53rd year, began in Staten Island, and saw runners progress through Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx, before finishing… MORE

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Spotlight on NYCHA’s New Rat Extermination Team 

Shareef Rashid and Diogenes Umanzar take their mission seriously when it comes to pest control at NYCHA.   The self-described “hit squad” for eradicating rats and other pests are two members of NYCHA’s newly formed Pest Management unit specifically targeting rat extermination across the Authority. The eight-member team, led by Program Manager Edwin Arroyo and supervisor… MORE

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NYCHA Staff Volunteer at NYCHA Farms During Climate Week

NYCHA employees from across the Authority came together during Climate Week 2023 to volunteer at six different Farms at NYCHA, give back to their communities, and enjoy a few days of urban-farming fun together. Thirty-eight NYCHA staffers – as well as two NYCHA retirees – gathered during the week of September 21 at Bayview, Howard,… MORE

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Thank You

Let us recognize the important work that NYCHA employees do each day on behalf of public housing residents and all that you continue to accomplish to transform the Authority. I am extremely proud to lead NYCHA and this remarkable team, and grateful for your dedication and commitment to meeting extraordinary challenges and delivering quality service to our residents.

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Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Through Food and Fellowship 

NYCHA employees gathered to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at a potluck featuring delicious dishes made or bought by fellow employees.   National Hispanic Heritage Month, also known as Latinx Heritage Month, is celebrated annually in the U.S. from September 15 to October 15 to highlight the contributions of Hispanic people and Americans with ancestry from Spanish-speaking… MORE

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NYCHA Begins Installing Voltage Technology for Improved Elevator Service 

NYCHA is taking action to help prevent elevator outages caused by low voltage in a building.   This summer, the Bronx’s Jackson Houses became one of the first developments to receive installations of automatic voltage regulators (AVR) for its elevator operations. By automatically boosting voltage to acceptable operating levels, the new equipment allows elevators to… MORE

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NYCHA Employee Raises Breast Cancer Awareness at Howard Houses 

On October 15, NYCHA employee and Howard Houses resident Tracy Tomer led her community in the fourth annual breast cancer walk she organized at the development to raise awareness about breast cancer and raise funds for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign.   “I continue to run into women of color in… MORE

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Let’s Talk Data: Meet Anne-Marie Flatley, Senior Vice President of Performance Management and Analytics  

When Anne-Marie Flatley answered a newspaper ad for a City Research Scientist in 1998, she had no idea that 25 years later she’d be leading a department responsible for analyzing millions of records and data that help NYCHA understand its residents, track programs and initiatives to determine if they are operating successfully, and improve how… MORE

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NYCHA Employees Thrive in Management Roles Years After NRTA Janitorial Training 

Several years after starting their NYCHA careers as Caretakers, Tiphany Malloy and Jermaine Hall have moved up the ranks to management-level roles.   South Beach Houses resident Ms. Malloy has been serving as an Assistant Resident Buildings Superintendent at the Woodson/Van Dyke II Houses consolidation in Brooklyn for over a year, while former Saint Mary’s… MORE

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NYCHA Employee Honored for Her Work with Older Adult Residents in Crisis 

In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, NYCHA employee Lauren Antoine received the Sarita Bonnilla Memorial Elder Justice Hero Award from The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Center for Elder Justice at the Hebrew Home at Riverdale for her work on behalf of older adult NYCHA residents who have experienced neglect or abuse.   Ms. Antoine… MORE

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Meet the EHS Employee Safety Oversight Unit (ESOU) 

The Environmental Health and Safety Department’s (EHS) Employee Safety Oversight Unit (ESOU) monitors NYCHA’s compliance with regulations and standards governing employee safety. ESOU also investigates reports of unsafe conditions at workplaces.  As a part of their work, ESOU performs activities such as:  One of NYCHA’s critical safety programs is its Confined Space Safety Program. Confined… MORE

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Celebrating the Hispanic and Latinx Community

Hispanic Heritage Month, also known as Latinx Heritage Month, is a month-long annual celebration from September 15 through October 15. These dates were selected to incorporate the independence days of Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua. Latinx Heritage Month recognizes the legacies and contributions of individuals who trace their roots to… MORE

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Meet Joe Terranova, Director of Fire Safety 

A veteran fire protection engineer was recently appointed as NYCHA’s first Director of Fire Safety.   After more than five years as Engineering Manager for fire protection systems at MTA-Long Island Railroad (LIRR), the nation’s busiest commuter railroad, Joe Terranova has joined NYCHA to oversee the new Fire Safety Department. Mr. Terranova – who previously served… MORE

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New Leadership Training Program Graduates First Class of Administrators

NYCHA recently celebrated the first graduates of a new training initiative that seeks to empower agency leaders as part of citywide efforts to enhance services for residents.   Thirty employees serving as neighborhood administrators across the five boroughs completed the 12-week program, the Operations Leadership Institute (OLI), with a ceremony on July 26. A project administered… MORE

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NYCHA Recognizes Staff at 2023 Safety Awards 

NYCHA’s 2023 Safety Awardees and Safety Associates were honored at a June 28 Safety Awards Ceremony for their efforts to create, practice, and uphold healthy and safe working environments.  At the awards ceremony, held at the Johnson Community Center in Harlem, awards were also presented for two employee-nominated categories: Safety Innovation and Safety Leadership. The… MORE

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Meet the Leaders of NYCHA’s New Caribbean-American Association  

June is Caribbean-American Heritage Month in the U.S., which celebrates the culture, heritage, and contributions of people of Caribbean descent living in America. This month, a new employee group, the Caribbean-American Association, launched and is open to all employees, including Caribbean Americans and those who have an appreciation for the countries and their cultural diversity.… MORE

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Meet Arturo Vargas, Supervisor City Laborer for Mold Remediation 

As the supervisor city laborer for mold remediation at NYCHA, Arturo Vargas was ready to take on the challenge of battling mold.   He knew that by helping to rid apartments of mold growth, he would be ensuring a healthier environment for residents in their homes and improving their quality of life.  “I was ready for… MORE

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NYCHA Rolls Out New IT Initiative to Improve Customer Service  

Management offices across the five boroughs will soon experience a reduction in the amount of time they have to wait for their information technology (IT)-related challenges to be resolved, thanks to a new “Neighborhood IT” initiative launched in March.   Led by Kim Maxwell (formerly senior driver of NYCHA’s Digital Van), technicians from the new… MORE

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Meet Michael Sills, Housing Manager of LHD Central Office Operations

June is National Pride Month, which commemorates the 1969 Stonewall uprising and recognizes the impact and contributions of individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+). In honor of Pride Month, we highlight the work of NYCHA’s LGBTQIA+ employees.

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NYCHA’s Runners Club Participates in 2023 JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge 

On June 1, members of the NYCHA Runners and Walkers Club joined thousands of runners and walkers from across the city for the 2023 JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge in Central Park. The 3.5-mile race, established in 1977, is the world’s largest corporate running event.   More than 20,000 runners from over 500 companies participated in… MORE

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Meet Amanda Moore, Assistant Director of Intake, Assessment, and Zone Coordination  

Growing up in Tilden Houses in Brownsville, Brooklyn, Amanda Moore always knew she wanted to work in public service. In the summers, she went to camp through her development’s community center and took part in the center’s after-school program: “The center gave us a place to go, and the staff were amazing! I’ll never forget… MORE

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Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Meet Chief Administrative Officer Kerri Jew 

As someone who relishes taking on a diversity of tasks, Kerri Jew welcomes a NYCHA job portfolio that can be “extremely varied.”   “I really like to do lots of different things at once,” Ms. Jew said about her responsibilities as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. “I think it’s exciting and interesting to learn… MORE

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Meet Kimberly Tyre, NYCHA Resident & Emergency Preparedness Associate 

Kimberly Tyre is a longtime Jefferson Houses resident who is committed to bettering her community. She recently became a NYCHA employee, in a position that enables her to pursue her passion for engaging her fellow residents and connecting them to beneficial resources. In November 2022, Ms. Tyre joined NYCHA’s Emergency Management and Services Department as… MORE

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Honoring NYCHA’s Administrative Professionals

NYCHA appreciates the hard work of our administrative staff who support residents and employees across the five boroughs. In honor of National Administrative Professionals Day, celebrated during the last week of April, we recognize the contributions of Red Hook West Houses Secretaries Brenai Campbell and Laura Gonzalez, two of the many administrative employees whose dedication… MORE

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Meet NYCHA’s Audiovisual Unit 

If you have ever attended an official NYCHA event, either at a central office or at a development, or used NYCHA’s conference room audio-visual equipment to conduct a meeting, then you have experienced firsthand the handiwork of NYCHA’s Audiovisual (A/V) Unit.   The unit, part of the Department of Communications, is made up of two audio-visual… MORE

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Meet the Coaching and Mentoring Leadership Academy Participants 

In January 2023, NYCHA launched its first-ever Coaching and Mentoring Leadership Academy (CMLA). Participants in the 16-week program are receiving training and coaching in areas such as strategic communications and crisis management, and they get the opportunity to enhance their leadership and management skills through mentorship.  Read on to learn more about a few of… MORE

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Meet NYCHA’s Asbestos Team Supervisors 

Richard Kocurek, Mohammed Hossain, and Jose Seymour lead a small but vital team of asbestos inspectors and handlers who address about 90 percent of asbestos issues in NYCHA developments across the five boroughs.   The three supervisors have a combined 87 years of experience in the field of lead and asbestos abatement. Mr. Kocurek, an asbestos… MORE

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Celebrating Women’s History Month: Meet Lauren Gray, Chief of Staff to the Chief Operating Officer

During Women’s History Month, we honor the contributions women have made and continue to make. From frontline staff at developments to executives in the central offices, women employees at NYCHA are leading the way in helping to improve and strengthen NYCHA.  We spoke with Lauren Gray, Chief of Staff to the Chief Operating Officer (COO),… MORE

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Celebrating Social Work Month: Meet Marina Oteiza, Director of Family Partnerships 

March is Social Work Month, an opportunity to celebrate the profession and help others learn about the many positive contributions its practitioners make to society.  NYCHA has had its own social services department since 1978. The department, now known as Family Partnerships, has undergone several changes – in name and function – since its creation.… MORE

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Celebrating Women’s History Month: Meet Michele Moore, Director of Comprehensive Modernization 

Michele Moore is not one to shy away from a challenge. On the contrary, she welcomes it. Coming from a family of public servants – her mother was a public school teacher and her father worked at NYCHA for over 30 years – Ms. Moore said she knew public service could be challenging sometimes. But… MORE

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Celebrating Black History Month  

Meet Annika Lescott-Martinez, NYCHA’s Chief Financial Officer  Managing the funds of the nation’s largest public housing authority might seem daunting, but Annika Lescott-Martinez isn’t one to be intimidated.   “I’m used to dealing with big numbers; big numbers don’t scare me,” stated Ms. Lescott-Martinez, NYCHA’s Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Finance.  Her… MORE

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Meet Yolanda Brooks, Community Associate in the Office of Public Safety & Security 

For nearly a decade, Yolanda Brooks dreamed of becoming a NYCHA employee.   In 2011, after recovering from a stroke she suffered in 2001, the Taft Houses resident got her first shot at collaborating with NYCHA as a supervisor for the Resident Watch program. It was a volunteer position that saw her helping to ensure the… MORE

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NYCHA Celebrates Key Landmarks for Sustainability in 2022 

In a year when climate policy advancements took shape across the globe, NYCHA and its partners celebrated several local achievements that continue the Authority’s progress toward a more sustainable future.  From the launch of a Clean Energy Academy and other programs supporting green careers, to the awarding of several grants and development of innovative projects,… MORE

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Meet Tischelle George, Director of Special Projects in Operations Support Services

While Tischelle George has held roles in different departments throughout her 16-year career at NYCHA, they have all furthered her passion for education, mentoring, and ensuring residents and employees have the information and resources necessary to be successful.  Currently, Ms. George is the director of special projects for Operations Support Services (OSS), where she provides… MORE

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NYCHA’s Healthy Homes Unit Makes Significant Progress for Residents in 2022 

The past year was a productive one for NYCHA’s Healthy Homes Unit as it increased its efforts to provide safe and healthy homes for residents, through projects such as roof fan replacement and collaboration with other NYCHA departments to clean up mold and stop leaks.   In 2022, the Healthy Homes Unit’s Office of Mold Assessment… MORE

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Final Voting Procedures for the Public Housing Preservation Trust Now Available

We are pleased to announce that after several months of in-person and virtual public meetings with residents, resident leaders, and advocates to develop the Public Housing Preservation Trust draft voting procedures, and a nearly six-week public comment period on the draft voting procedures, the final voting procedures are now available.   Based on the valuable feedback… MORE

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NYCHA’s Language Services Unit Completes Its 10,000th Translation 

The Spanish-language flier posted at the Bronx’s Butler Houses announcing a planning meeting for basketball court and playground upgrades is no ordinary flier: It is the 10,000th document translated into a foreign language for NYCHA residents in the 14 years the Language Services Unit (LSU) has been keeping track.   “It’s a huge achievement that we… MORE

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Meet Eva Trimble, NYCHA’s Chief Operating Officer

Eva Trimble was appointed NYCHA’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) in July 2022. She was previously the Authority’s first-ever Executive Vice President for Strategy and Innovation, a role in which she led efforts to develop and implement the Transformation Plan to strengthen our organization and the ways we serve residents. Read on to learn more about COO Trimble and… MORE

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Visioning the Future of Gowanus Houses and Wyckoff Gardens

Over 200 residents from Gowanus Houses and Wyckoff Gardens recently had the opportunity to share their ideas and feedback on the future repairs and renovation work coming to their development during community visioning workshops led by NYCHA’s Comprehensive Modernization (Comp Mod) team. The workshops (held in Wyckoff Gardens in October and Gowanus Houses in November)… MORE

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Recognizing NYCHA’s OMAR Staff

On June 9, NYCHA’s Office of Mold Assessment and Remediation (OMAR) held a ceremony to recognize more than 50 staff who worked on NYCHA’s ventilation programs. Notably, OMAR staff completed an Authority-wide roof fan project, which involved replacing 6,188 roof fans and confirming that an additional 2,248 fans are functional and can be kept in… MORE

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Longtime Resident Dedicates Career to NYCHA, U.S. Army 

When Edith Taylor-Campbell makes a commitment to serve, she turns it into a career.   This can be said for both her work at NYCHA and service with the United States Army. The housing assistant joined the NYCHA workforce nearly three decades ago in 1994, while accumulating an equally impressive 26 years of military service with… MORE

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NYCHA’s Policy Advisor Presents at International Sustainability Conference 

NYCHA Policy Advisor Debora Lopes discussed the latest developments in sustainability and wellness in built spaces at the 2022 Greenbuild International Conference in San Francisco last week.   “It was fantastic to present on NYCHA’s decarbonization roadmap, especially our Clean Heat for all Challenge,” Ms. Lopes said. “Decarbonization in affordable housing requires ambitious policies and… MORE

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Longtime NYCHA Law Employee Sam Mordi Lauded for Service Upon Retirement 

Sam Mordi might be moving on from his longtime career at NYCHA, but not without taking with him a wealth of appreciation from his colleagues.  After working for 30 years in the Law Department, Mr. Mordi is retiring from his position as Deputy General Counsel for housing litigation on August 31. In recognition of his… MORE

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Meet the EHS Lead Oversight Team (LOT)

NYCHA’s Environmental Health and Safety Department’s (EHS) Lead Oversight Team (LOT) oversees all lead-based paint (LBP) activities to identify, prevent, or correct any non-compliance with the applicable requirements. The team consists of three U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-certified Risk Assessors who are led by a certified Field Supervisor. As part of NYCHA’s Lead Compliance Assurance program,… MORE

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Meet Shanna Castillo – Senior Director of NYCHA’s REES Office

For almost a decade, Shanna Castillo and her team have worked to continue to develop NYCHA’s Office of Resident Economic Empowerment & Sustainability (REES) — which connects residents to employment and career advancement, adult education and vocational training, financial empowerment, and business development — into a model of how partnership and access to opportunities can… MORE

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Meet Brian Honan, Senior Vice President of Intergovernmental Relations 

Like many who have worked extensively in government, Brian Honan knows that building relationships is key to advancing legislation and solving complex problems for people in the community.    As Senior Vice President of NYCHA’s Office of Intergovernmental Relations, the bonds he has formed with NYCHA residents, members of the public, and elected officials are… MORE

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NYCHA Plumber Organizes Workshops for Girls

“Jobs don’t have genders,” says Judaline Cassidy, who first picked up plumbing tools 25 years ago and has been working in the industry ever since. Five years ago, she founded Tools and Tiaras, a non-profit committed to advancing the participation of females in traditionally male-dominated industries such as electrical, carpentry, plumbing, and auto mechanic trades.… MORE

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Meet the EHS Integrated Pest Management Oversight Team (IPMOT) 

NYCHA’s Environmental Health and Safety Department’s (EHS) Integrated Pest Management Oversight Team (IPMOT) oversees pest mitigation and extermination measures to ensure compliance with best practices and existing standard procedures, in accordance with the principles of NYCHA’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach. As part of its work, the IPMOT:  Conducts oversight inspections of staff providing pest… MORE

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NYCHA Tips Off New Season of Junior Knicks Basketball League 

The Junior Knicks are back at NYCHA.   Following its inaugural season last year, the Junior Knicks Basketball League has returned with 25 sites across NYCHA slated to host games and skills and drills clinics this summer.   In partnership with the Junior Knicks and the NYPD, NYCHA kicked off the 2022 league season with a community… MORE

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Making a Difference 

Meet Ernesto Rodriguez, Administrative Training Coordinator at Learning & Development’s Maintenance Training Center Whenever Ernesto Rodriguez goes to a NYCHA development, he recognizes most of the property management and maintenance staff – because he trained them. Mr. Rodriguez is the Administrator of HR’s Maintenance Training Center, which equips assistant superintendents, superintendents, and field staff with… MORE

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Meet Antonia Zambrano, Assistant Director of LHD Central Office Operations

Twenty-three years ago, Antonia Zambrano submitted her resume at a job fair and shortly after became a NYCHA employee. Starting out as a Bilingual Housing Assistant for the Leased Housing Department, she is now the Assistant Director of the Leased Housing Department’s Central Office Operations. All of the positions Ms. Zambrano has held at the… MORE

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Meet Cherry McCutchen, Director of Learning and Development

June is National Pride Month, which commemorates the 1969 Stonewall uprising and recognizes the impact and contributions of individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ+). In honor of Pride Month, we’re highlighting the work of NYCHA’s LGBTQ+ employees.    “I’m ‘Cherry.’ I don’t ascribe to labels or pronouns. If someone asks how… MORE

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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… MORE

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