Helping Residents Get the Assistance They Need, Right at Their Developments  

On November 30, Soundview Houses residents got the opportunity to meet one-on-one with representatives from the NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA) to apply for HRA’s “one-shot” emergency rent assistance for those who have fallen behind on rent, sign up for SNAP benefits for food assistance, and enroll in other HRA programs – right at their development’s property management office. Five case workers from HRA set up temporary offices in the property management office from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day. Residents brought their eligibility documents (including identification, rent bills, pay stubs) and didn’t have to travel to an HRA office. 

“We’re a public service and we want to keep our residents home,” Soundview Houses Property Manager Noelia Guardiola said. “During COVID, a lot of people couldn’t pay their rent, and the amount of rent that’s owed is astronomical. Events like these are about the residents. We want to avoid eviction. So, any help and resources we can provide to the residents we will. And our Bronx Vice President Ms. Angela Gadson has inspired all managers to become leaders and make a positive imprint on people you meet.” 

Ms. Guardiola’s supervisor Angela Gadson, Vice President for Bronx Public Housing Operations, said: “We’re here to serve our residents and we must lead the cause. I always involve the managers to be leaders of these endeavors, and for the Bronx our lead has been Ms. Guardiola.”  

Ms. Guardiola organized the event with HRA and led the planning of HRA enrollment events at other Bronx developments. Her first Soundview event was so successful she had to schedule a second one on December 8 to ensure that all the residents who showed up on the original date could be seen.  

“We’re talking about hosting another event in January,” Ms. Guardiola said. “This is better than going to an HRA office for our residents since they already know the property management office. The residents are so grateful. A few of them were in tears saying, ‘thank you so much, I can’t believe you went out of your way to do something like this.’ My heart was so full because I know in my heart that I did everything possible for my residents to remain at home.” 

Anne Johnson, Soundview Houses Resident Association President, said: “We had a lot of residents that came and signed up. I spoke with a lot of them, welcoming them in, and they were happy. The property manager along with the staff did an outstanding job.” 

From mid-November to mid-December, HRA enrollment events were held in the Bronx at Adams, Boston Secor, Eastchester, Forest, Gun Hill, Monroe, Parkside, Pelham Parkway, Sack Wern, Sedgwick, Soundview, and St. Mary’s Houses. And enrollment events have been held at developments in other boroughs too.