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 the foundation of his career.  

“Over the years I’ve developed a relationship with folks who see me as a trusted partner, as I see them, and that’s probably the most rewarding part of the job itself,” said Mr. Honan, a Brooklyn resident who began working at NYCHA in 2006. “I’m proud of the relationships I’ve built with residents and resident leaders.” 

Mr. Honan said NYCHA’s efforts to work closely with community members and legislators and listen to their feedback was critical to the recent passage of the Public Housing Preservation Trust. The legislation, which was signed by Governor Kathy Hochul on June 16, establishes the Trust as a public benefit corporation, enabling the Authority to bring billions of dollars in comprehensive renovations and improvements to its developments. 

“I think it’s a really exciting moment, and it should give us all a reason to be hopeful,” stated Mr. Honan, who has served as the head of Intergovernmental Relations since 2008, getting appointed Vice President in 2019.  

Along with the opportunity for crucial funding for capital improvements, the Trust legislation maintains residents’ rights and ensures that their homes are kept permanently affordable; it also gives NYCHA residents the right to vote on whether to opt in to the Trust. Residents can also help select vendors to complete the renovation work at their developments and serve on committees that check the quality of the work. 

“That is real power that folks now have that no other public housing tenants in the country have,” Mr. Honan noted about the opt-in choice. “If you look at the legislation there are a lot of firsts in it, and that’s truly exciting.” 

Prior to joining NYCHA as the then-deputy director of Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Honan worked on legislative matters for the New York State Assembly in both the district office and in Albany. Over the course of his career, housing has remained a central area of focus for Mr. Honan. 

“To me, housing has always been a very important issue because I think it really relates to almost everything. Where you live really impacts everything in your life,” he said. “Quality housing is important to everyone, and quality housing means quality communities as well.” 

A lifelong New Yorker, Mr. Honan is quick to express his passion for the city, but laments that its affordability remains a struggle for many residents due to high housing costs. After working on rent stabilization and rent control early in his career, Mr. Honan continues to fight to preserve affordable housing in the city through his role at NYCHA.  

During his time at the Authority, where he is responsible for advancing its legislative priorities, Mr. Honan has played key roles in passing legislation for NYCHA on issues such as shelter allowance, federalization, and budget inclusion. The Office of Intergovernmental Relations staff serve as a bridge between NYCHA and its external partners, working closely with government officials to help provide their constituents with the services they need.  

Mr. Honan’s job duties regularly take him to the state capital, the same place that educated the former governmental liaison about the legislative process.      

“Working in both the district and in Albany showed me sides of government that are really important to what I do today,” he said.  

For NYCHA residents who would like to be more involved in the issues impacting their homes, Mr. Honan notes that they can attend public hearings for City or State government in person at City Hall or the State Capitol in Albany. No appointment is needed, and those who wish to speak at meetings can sign up for public comment. Residents who are interested in viewing the meetings virtually can access the hearing schedule by visiting the websites for the New York City Council or the State Assembly and State Senate.  

“A lot of elected officials are eager to engage with not only their constituents but people who are passionate about issues to improve the city,” Mr. Honan said about residents who may wish to get in touch with their representatives.  

Over his career, Mr. Honan has learned that the way to effectively make change for residents is to meet them where they live and to know the circumstances they face. By nurturing these relationships, Mr. Honan lauded the opportunity to tackle the challenging issues while also sharing in the celebratory moments.   

“At the end of the day, we all have a shared goal to make sure that people have improved services, homes they can be proud of, and live in strong communities,” he said.