NYCHA Teamwork Adds REES Referral to Residents’ Self-Service Portal
NYCHA’s popular Self-Service Portal, where residents and Section 8 tenants can conveniently check and update their NYCHA information, now has a new feature called Opportunity Connect, where they can also sign up for financial counseling. Users ages 18 and up can log onto Opportunity Connect to make a self-referral for a one-on-one session with a certified financial counselor at a neighborhood Financial Empowerment Center through the NYC Office of Financial Empowerment.
“This is the first time that the self-service portal is offering a REES referral service to public housing residents and Section 8 tenants,” noted Project Manager Charisse Jamroz.
The team that worked with REES for three months on the project included Project Manager Aaron Trauring, IT Manager Venkata Chitrapu, and IT staff (standing from left in photo) Uma Shekar, Toney Burnham, Gaurav Sharma, and Anitha Narasimhaiah.
“This year, REES and IT will roll out additional referral options, including employment assistance and adult education,” said REES Director Shanna Castillo. “This partnership required a good amount of work at both ends and we are very proud of the final product.”
Opportunity Connect is part of Doorways to Opportunity—a $1.4 million investment in New York City public housing residents by Citi Community Development.
