November 2017

The Daily News published an op-ed written by Deborah Wright, formerly a NYCHA Board Member and Commissioner of the City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development, and Kathryn Wylde, President and CEO of the Partnership for New York City, on November 25, 2017: “Lead paint is a serious issue, no question, but the evidence shows… MORE

On November 15, 2017, Edenwald residents Charles and Arlanda Solomon will celebrate 74 years of marriage. The couple says the secret to maintaining a loving and lasting marriage is “to be patient, to truly listen to one another, and to always respect each other!” Charles and Arlanda met in 1941 in Washington County, Georgia. Mr. Solomon… MORE

On October 27, NYCHA started construction on a $123 million Recovery to Resiliency project at Redfern Houses in Far Rockaway, Queens. NYCHA will replace all nine of the development’s roofs, install cameras, renovate playgrounds and lighting, and build a new community center that will house a childcare center and full back-up emergency power generators. The project, which… MORE

Rasmia Kirmani-Frye, NYCHA’s Director of Public/Private Partnerships and the President of the Fund for Public Housing, was honored for her work to support low-income New Yorkers, including NYCHA residents, by + POOL at the nonprofit organization’s Fall Swim Gala. In 2016, + POOL began offering children living in public housing with free swim lessons through… MORE

It wasn’t awards season yet, but REES received back-to-back kudos this past summer and fall. In August, Nan McKay & Associates (NMA) bestowed its 2017 Resident Service Award to REES for the life-changing work of its Food Business Pathways program (read more about the program in a recent NYCHANow article). For more than 35 years,… MORE

Dear Colleagues, We need your assistance! There are gas outages at some of our developments, and service will not be restored by Thanksgiving. To ensure that our residents enjoy a holiday meal, we are delivering meals to them. In addition, we will also be hosting a toy drive for the families impacted by the gas outages. In… MORE

NYCHA  launched its first large-scale solar program, which will use light and heat from the sun to provide clean, low-cost energy to low- to moderate-income New Yorkers, including public housing residents. The program will also create jobs for NYCHA residents in the growing solar industry. NYCHA is looking for developers to install solar power on… MORE

I moved into Wise Towers when my wife and I got married in 1972, and 45 years later I still call it home. I raised three daughters in this wonderful community. From the day we opened the door to our new apartment, Wise Towers offered the best of New York City. Neighbors from all walks… MORE

NYCHA’s Asian American Association ushered in Diwali, the ancient Hindu festival of lights, in a lively celebration on October 25 at DC 37 headquarters. General Manager Michael Kelly greeted attendees, noting that he appreciated “the opportunity to reflect on the significance of Diwali, which celebrates the inner light within all of us – the spirit… MORE

To celebrate NYCHA’s Brooklyn developments, Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye, Fund for Public Housing President Rasmia Kirmani-Frye, other NYCHA staff, NYCHA Youth Leadership Council participants, and community members kicked off the first annual NYCHA Fun Run with a spirited jog from Howard Houses to Armstrong Houses on October 27. Start training now for the next… MORE

When Sherwin Darden, a Penn-Wortman Houses resident, walked into the new Jobs Plus Center in his neighborhood, he didn’t have a Social Security card, government identification, or health care, let alone a job. Now he’s got all of those, and he’s helping his neighbors too. He’s been hired by the center to be a community coach… MORE

Despite steadily shrinking federal support for public housing, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) has made significant gains in public safety and in balancing its annual operating budget under Mayor Bill de Blasio, who is up for reelection on Tuesday. His support for NYCHA, where about half a million low-income New Yorkers live, has… MORE

As part of NYCHA’s celebration of Customer Service Week, an email from Mayor Bill de Blasio introduced the new Changemakers campaign. “As NYCHA’s Customer Service Week comes to a close, I am proud to announce the launch of the NYCHA Changemakers campaign, which showcases NYCHA employees who are guided by NYCHA’s core values to create… MORE

Seven technology startup companies are the winners of the first-ever NYCHA Tech Pilots, a real estate technology competition to find new and creative solutions to strengthen and modernize public housing. The winners are: BlocPower, Carbon Lighthouse, Enertiv, hOM, Numina, Pansofik, and Radiator Labs. NYCHA Tech Pilots was launched by the Fund for Public Housing, a nonprofit dedicated to investing in NYCHA residents… MORE

NYCHA joined Mayor Bill de Blasio for “City Hall in Your Borough: Manhattan,” from September 25 to 29, spending the week focused on the needs and concerns of Manhattan residents.  This was the fourth borough in the Mayor’s City Hall in Your Borough initiative. September 25  NYCHA Chair & CEO Shola Olatoye and Council Member… MORE