On many levels, 2025 was a productive year on the sustainability front for NYCHA. From new solar power installations and innovative waste disposal systems to expanding energy-efficient heating/cooling service and launching green infrastructure to reduce the impact of major storms, NYCHA and its partners marked a range of achievements that continue the Authority’s progress toward a more… MORE
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NYCHA has been recognized by a national construction industry publication for two energy-efficient heating and hot water projects in the Bronx. On November 20, Engineering News-Record’s (ENR) New York region presented NYCHA’s Asset and Capital Management division with a “Best Project” award in the residential/hospitality and excellence in sustainability categories for its geothermal domestic hot… MORE
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Climate Week NYC brought together business leaders, political changemakers, and civil society representatives from all over the world for opportunities to promote climate action, speed up progress, and champion change in our communities. Among the local leaders were NYCHA’s Senior Director of Sustainability Siobhan Watson and Senior Vice President for Capital Programs Joy Sinderbrand,… MORE
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On May 16, two organizations devoted to helping cities improve, Greater NY and HR&A Advisors, hosted a conversation event called Climate NYC to consider an increasingly urgent question: How can New York most effectively address the complex challenge of climate change? Greater NY, which fosters partnerships among CEOs of NYC non-profits and leaders from finance,… MORE
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Katy Burgio, Deputy Director of Sustainability Programs for NYCHA’s Asset and Capital Management group, was recently named one of 2024’s Waste360 40 Under 40 Award winners. The Waste360 40 Under 40 Awards recognize and honor the next generation of professional leaders whose work is shaping the future of the waste and recycling industry. The winners… MORE
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On December 19, NYCHA’s Clean Energy Academy celebrated its second class of 15 graduates, moving closer to the goal of training 100 NYCHA residents for green jobs over its first two years. The newest cohort of graduates join the 24 residents who were the first to complete the 16-week, 280-hour program this summer. The free… MORE
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This winter, residents in two dozen apartments at Woodside Houses are getting their heating from electric-powered heat pumps for the first time. No longer relying on apartment radiators, the residents have received complimentary heat pumps in their living room and bedroom windows, which provide both electrified heating and cooling services in support of the Authority’s… MORE
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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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Four solar carports are coming to NYCHA public housing parking lots throughout the city. The carports — canopies with solar panels to generate renewable energy — feature a storm-resilient design and are the first of their kind on NYCHA properties
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On September 20, NYCHA’s Sustainability Department became the first institution to win a Smart Energy Decisions DEI Impact Award. Smart Energy Decisions, the first web-based information resource dedicated to addressing the information needs of large power customers, inaugurated its DEI Impact Awards program this year to honor efforts in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in clean energy.… MORE
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On September 18, NYCHA’s Deputy Director of Sustainability Programs Siobhan Watson participated in a panel discussion on the efforts of New York housing agencies to decarbonize affordable housing to improve the health, comfort, and safety of residents. Organized by Building Energy Exchange, the event was part of activities that marked this year’s Climate Week. Building… MORE
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NYCHA residents in a dozen apartments at Woodside Houses have received newly installed window heat pumps that provide electrified heating and cooling services in support of the Authority’s efforts to decarbonize buildings. A total of 36 complimentary heat-pump units were installed in July at the Queens development as part of the first phase of a… MORE
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NYCHA was recently represented at a White House summit addressing climate resilience and sustainability in affordable housing. The event was inspired by a visit earlier this year to the Recovery and Resilience project at Baruch Houses by White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory. Senior Vice President for Capital Programs Joy Sinderbrand and… MORE
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The spirit of Earth Day was on full display in neighborhoods across NYCHA, where residents, employees, and community partners joined together to help the environment, support green programs, and promote a sustainable future. Through volunteer plantings, community celebrations, guest speeches, and new environmentally friendly initiatives, NYCHA is advancing the mission of its Sustainability Agenda, a… MORE
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NYCHA employees are invited to join residents and community partners this Earth Day weekend to help the Farms at NYCHA sites across the city prepare for spring planting. Volunteers will get their hands dirty by pulling weeds, picking up trash, assisting in the composting process, and laying down new soil at the urban farms. The… MORE
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Rejuvenating local gardens with new crops and green features, promoting energy efficiency in the community with sustainable lighting, and developing a “one-stop-drop” site for recyclables. Such resident-led efforts at NYCHA are among the sustainability-focused projects that have been selected to receive funding under the Resident Climate Action Grants Program, an initiative of NYCHA and the… MORE
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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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November 15 is America Recycles Day, but NYCHA recognizes the importance of recycling every day – the Authority has renewed its focus on recycling and created new programs to improve the collection of recyclables. NYCHA’s Waste Management Department launched its Recycle First initiative in Staten Island in September 2021, working closely with development staff and… MORE
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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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New York City was celebrated as one of 20 finalists for a 2022 C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Award at a ceremony held on October 19 at the C40 World Mayors Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The award celebrates the most impactful projects or programs spearheaded by cities from around the world to tackle the… MORE
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How much food waste would it take to power an electric bicycle? Two graduate school students worked to find a solution to such an inquiry this summer while studying organic waste collection at NYCHA. Abigail Brown and Jed Higdon served as Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) Climate Corps fellows who helped advance the Authority’s environmental goals… MORE
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Recognizing its leadership in addressing climate change, New York City was selected as one of 20 finalists for the 2022 C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Award. The awards celebrate the most ambitious and impactful projects or programs spearheaded by cities from around the world to tackle the climate crisis. The theme of this year’s awards is… MORE
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The Fund for Public Housing (the Fund) and NYCHA, in partnership with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), National Grid, New York Power Authority (NYPA), Trinity Church Wall Street Philanthropies, NorthLight Foundation, and Rise Light & Power, recently announced the launch of the Clean Energy Academy. Over two years, the $2… MORE
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Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams joined the NYCHA, New York Power Authority (NYPA), and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to announce the Clean Heat for All Challenge (#CleanHeat4All or #CH4A) — making an initial $70 million investment in the development and production of 30,000 new heat pump units for use in New York City public housing facilities.
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On Thursday, June 30, NYCHA officially gave a Notice to Proceed (NTP) to a construction team comprised of Navillus Contracting, Dewberry Engineers Inc., Marvel Architects, Landscape Architects, Urban Designers, PLLC, and Atreo (Pneumatic Waste Collection Systems), for work on a $31 million large-scale installation of a pneumatic waste collection system that will serve the NYCHA… MORE
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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… MORE
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NYCHA has a long-standing commitment to fostering resident access to green spaces at its developments. A 2017 survey of NYCHA gardens, conducted by the NYC Parks Department’s GreenThumb program, counted 595 gardens at 146 NYCHA developments. One recent community garden was created at Manhattanville Houses in West Harlem by former NYCHA residents in partnership with… MORE
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The New York Power Authority (NYPA) has recognized NYCHA’s work to electrify energy uses at a Manhattan development that is home to nearly 350 residents. NYCHA was presented with NYPA’s Leader in Building Electrification award at its 2022 Clean Energy Exchange event in Albany on May 11. The award recognizes a NYCHA heat pump project… MORE
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On May 3, NYCHA’s mattress recycling program, NYC’s first and only mattress recycling program, was discussed during Circular City Week, an open collaborative festival dedicated to topics about circular economy (that is, an economy where goods are reused and recycled as much as possible). Circular City Week is the biggest circular economy festival in the… MORE
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The Hamilton-Madison House preschool, located at NYCHA’s Smith Houses in Manhattan, installed a compost bin so preschoolers can compost food scraps from their lunches and snacks. The bin was established with funding from City Council Member Christopher Marte and is maintained by Earth Matter, a non-profit dedicated to advancing composting in the metropolitan area. The… MORE
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NYCHA is celebrating the spirit of Earth Week in a variety of ways, with residents, employees, volunteers, and community partners doing their part to help the environment and encourage a sustainable future. From green events and activities to speeches on environmentally friendly programs, such efforts support the mission of NYCHA’s Sustainability Agenda, a roadmap for… MORE
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Waste management is one of the most complex challenges that NYCHA faces. Since the release of NYCHA’s 2.0 Waste Management Plan in 2019 and NYCHA’s new Sustainability Agenda in 2021, NYCHA is making comprehensive changes to its waste management practices and infrastructure. One outcome of these changes has been the NYCHA Waste Calculator. NYCHA generates… MORE
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On April 19, NYCHA and the New York Power Authority (NYPA) announced the start of construction on energy-efficient heating upgrades at Marble Hill Houses in the Bronx and Berry Houses on Staten Island. The $72 million projects will provide greater heat and hot water service for more than 4,000 residents across 2,100 public housing apartments… MORE
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Ten Bronx residents have joined NYCHA’s efforts for a cleaner environment at their building and beyond by shifting their cooking to electric-powered stoves. The residents of 1471 Watson Avenue received their free induction stoves in February, thanks to a partnership between NYCHA and the nonprofit WE ACT for Environmental Justice. The 10 initial stove… MORE
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In March, Green City Force (GCF) celebrated the graduation of its 22nd Cohort via Zoom, 22 members who began their service to NYCHA communities during the pandemic. GCF is an AmeriCorps program that provides NYCHA residents ages 18 to 24 with full-time service projects, training, and education on sustainability and green technologies, as well as… MORE
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Some young NYCHA residents are thinking more critically about how NYCHA can improve its waste management practices. Calling for the use of large trash and recycling bins with wraparound designs and messaging as well as strategically placed signage at developments, the residents proposed such improvements for the culmination project of a new sustainability-focused youth council. … MORE
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March 22 is World Water Day, an opportunity to reflect on the importance of access to safe, fresh water. Stormwater management solutions, for example, are a vital part of NYCHA’s Sustainability Agenda, and several initiatives focused on this important work are currently underway. One of them is NYCHA’s Climate Adaptation Plan, which outlines the Authority’s approach to… MORE
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Two NYCHA leaders – Vice President for Energy and Sustainability Vlada Kenniff and Acting Deputy Director of Energy and Sustainability Edwin Mendez – discussed the Authority’s work on decarbonization and sustainability at two notable public events recently. Edwin Mendez attended the “AEG Thought Summit 2022: Critical Infrastructure, Equity and Resilience,” where he discussed NYCHA’s energy… MORE
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Meet Edwin Mendez, Acting Deputy Director of Energy & Sustainability Programs in the Capital Projects Division Since his very first day at NYCHA, Edwin Mendez has worked in various energy-efficiency programs in the Energy and Sustainability Programs Department. In fact, his first role at the Authority – an internship in 2006 – later became Mr.… MORE
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Since July 2021, NYCHA has collected and recycled more than 2,800 old mattresses (150 tons worth) from 27 developments in all five boroughs through its mattress recycling program. Instead of taking up to 90 years to decompose in landfills, 80 percent of the collected mattresses were recycled or repurposed, creating carpet padding and soundproofing materials.… MORE
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In 2021, NYCHA farms produced 22,000 pounds of organic fresh vegetables, greens, and herbs. There are currently seven farms on the Authority’s open spaces. The inaugural farm at Red Hook Houses was launched in 2013. The other six farms are located at Wagner Houses, Howard Houses, Bay View Houses, Forest Houses, Mariners Harbor Houses, and… MORE
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On December 20, NYCHA, the New York Power Authority (NYPA), and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) launched the Clean Heat for All Challenge (#CleanHeat4All), an industry competition directed at heating and cooling equipment manufacturers to develop a new electrification product that can better serve the needs of existing multifamily buildings… MORE
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NYCHA young adults who want to take a more active role in addressing how climate change and sustainability impact their communities now have a chance to make their voices heard. This month, in partnership with the National Grid public utility, the Authority is launching the GreenNYCHA Youth Leadership Council for residents ages 16 to 24. The free, 12-week program will be held… MORE
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On November 8, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced its progress on drainage upgrades at 19 NYCHA properties. The $29 million project involves the construction of “green infrastructure” installations that will capture approximately 55 million gallons of stormwater in a typical year, easing pressure on neighborhood sewers during rainstorms and extreme… MORE
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Another season of Harvest Festivals celebrated fall-themed activities for families at NYCHA’s Eco-Hubs. Held on Saturdays throughout October, the free events featured pumpkin carving/decorating, games, raffles, arts and crafts, as well as a DJ, photo booth, dancing, and a variety of healthy snacks. A total of 445 visitors attended the festivities at the five Eco-Hub sites operated… MORE
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The strategic plans informed by NYCHA’s climate resiliency work on developments affected by Hurricane Sandy take a three-pronged approach to retrofitting buildings against rising sea levels, hotter temperatures, and heavier rainfalls expected in the coming decades. On October 25, NYCHA announced the release of three major reports outlining the Authority’s approach to protecting its portfolio… MORE
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Mott Haven Houses resident Brigitte Vicenty has been an advocate for a greener NYCHA for a long time. Ten years ago, Ms. Vicenty founded a non-profit organization called “Inner City Green Team” to address low recycling rates and teach and promote recycling education among NYCHA residents. Recently, after completing a five-part workshop series called “Network for Climate Action,”… MORE
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On September 24, Joy Sinderbrand, NYCHA’s Vice President for the Recovery and Resilience Department in Capital Projects, participated in a virtual panel organized by Enterprise Community Partners and Resilience 21. The panel, titled “Climate Change and Housing – How NYC Is Protecting Its Affordable Housing,” was part of New York City’s Climate Week events, and… MORE
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The Sustainability Agenda Is a Roadmap to Curbing Climate Impacts, Improving Homes for Residents, and Expanding Green Jobs On September 20, NYCHA announced an ambitious recommitment to addressing climate change and meeting the City’s mandate for reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the release of the 2021 Sustainability Agenda. NYCHA’s updated Sustainability Agenda will center on… MORE
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