Generosity in the Time of COVID-19

Michael Che and Billionaire Boys Club Help Out with Rent

There are bright spots in these trying days of a global pandemic: NYCHA residents are rising to the occasion, helping to deliver food to their most vulnerable neighbors; NYCHA employees are working around-the-clock to provide residents with essential services; and our city is coming together every evening at 7 p.m. to applaud other front-line workers who are treating the sick and keeping essential businesses, like grocery stores and pharmacies, open.

In this spirit of generosity, compassion, and goodwill, Michael Che, the Saturday Night Live star, and Billionaire Boys Club, a clothing company owned by Pharrell Williams, are stepping up to support the NYCHA community, particularly those who have been financially impacted by the Coronavirus.

Michael Che is covering the May 2020 rent for all the 160 families living in the Lower East Side building his late grandmother, Martha Ingram, once called home. Mr. Che, a stand-up comedian, actor, and writer whose SNL credits include Weekend Update co-anchor and co-head writer, committed to this generous deed to honor his grandmother while helping out in this time of hardship.

In a note to residents of the building, Mr. Che wrote: “My grandmother, Martha Ingram, lived in this building for many years, on the 15th floor. My mother was raised here, and it was a second home for me growing up. Unfortunately, she passed away recently as a result of COVID-19. I know what a difficult time this could be for you and your families, so in honor of my grandmother I have covered the rent in full for every resident [of the building] for the month of May 2020. I hope that this gesture makes things a little easier for everyone.”

Another generous donation, from Billionaire Boys Club, will cover the June 2020 rent for randomly selected NYCHA households in the Lower East Side that recently requested a rent adjustment due to a loss of income.

Billionaire Boys Club said: “Being part of the NYC community means looking out for each other, and we are more than happy to provide assistance during these times. We look forward to continuing this initiative and supporting the people of New York.”

These good deeds demonstrate that, with the community coming together to support each other, we will come out of this crisis stronger than ever.

For the latest COVID-19 guidance and resources pertaining to NYCHA residents, please visit https://www1.nyc.gov/site/nycha/about/covid-19-resources.page.