Meet Latonya Grimes
I have been at NYCHA for over 20 years. Currently I’m an Assistant Property Manager in Queens. Previously, I worked at many housing developments in Queens as a Housing Assistant, and was an Assistant Property Manager at Johnson Houses in Manhattan. I have also worked in the Management Services Department’s Business Improvement Division, which was established to improve NYCHA’s performance as a landlord through collaboration with Property Management and other stakeholders on various initiatives. As part of that work, I was instrumental in launching staff training for the online recertification process. I enjoyed being part of a team that worked towards making NYCHA better every day.
I also had the opportunity to participate in the second cohort of the Employee Engagement Committee in 2019. I feel privileged to be part of a dialogue which included employees from all different parts and levels of NYCHA.
In my current position as an Assistant Property Manager, I assist the residents and employees of the development. In my supervisory position, I am not only responsible to the residents but to the employees as well. I feel a good supervisor is one who helps their colleagues to do the job, not tell them what they are doing wrong! NYCHA’s work can be challenging, but every day is an opportunity to discover new and exciting things about what we are all doing here. We continue to do the right thing at NYCHA because it’s the right thing to do!
My journey at NYCHA has been a revelation of human dignity and of perseverance shown to me by residents and fellow employees. The gratitude I have received from residents has been rewarding. Hearing “Can I bring my granddaughter to meet you?” and “You helped me when I was renting my first apartment!” certainly warms my heart.
