Updates from the CEO: Summer 2025
Dear Colleagues,
As summer goes into full swing, I’d like to update you on some of the exciting news and progress that’s happening here at the Authority.
But first I want to reiterate that we continuously monitor and analyze the information coming from Washington regarding national funding for public housing – as you know, we rely heavily on federal subsidies, receiving billions of dollars every year for our operations, capital repairs, and Section 8 program. While there is no specific deadline for the approval of the federal budget, we continue to advocate for the funding that public housing needs and deserves. No matter the funding levels, we will always prioritize the delivery of services to NYCHA residents and our HUD agreement pillar area work – efforts that are improving the quality of life for the families we serve. We also remain committed to our work to transform this incredibly vital institution, including the ways we operate.
Supporting the NYCHA Community
There are many new and longstanding initiatives underway to support the NYCHA community. For instance, Family Days have been celebrated at developments across the city every summer for decades, bringing residents and the larger community together to enjoy fun activities, music, and food and to disseminate valuable resources from our partners. To ensure a safe and fun event for all participants, the resident associations which supervise their developments’ Family Day festivities should adhere to safety guidelines we’ve outlined – please email resident.engagement@nycha.nyc.gov for more information.
We are also blazing new trails in our efforts to connect the NYCHA community to employment-linked job training opportunities with the construction union trades. Thanks to a partnership with the State Department of Labor and Teamsters Local 237, our Elevator Service and Maintainer Apprenticeship program will train mechanics to service NYCHA elevators, creating career pathways for residents as well as career advancement opportunities for current staff. Participants will gain in-demand skills through hands-on training in a state-of-the-art facility, leading to journey-level elevator mechanic certification and job opportunities at NYCHA.
Another life-changing pre-apprenticeship program is preparing residents for careers in bricklaying and related trades through a comprehensive workforce development training course. Graduates of the program, which is supported by the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1 union in partnership with NYCHA, are equipped with the skills they need to join the Local 1 union and potentially work on NYCHA’s $1 billion roofing and façade repair initiative.
Organizational Changes
As part of our ongoing efforts to align the Authority with our resident-focused and operational priorities, we are constantly looking to more effectively and efficiently organize how we carry out our work. At the end of the second quarter, several internal reporting relationships were updated as follows:
The Office of the Corporate Secretary (OTCS) and Department of Internal Audit and Assessment (IAA), through the Special Advisor for Corporate Governance and Audit, now report to NYCHA’s General Counsel. The OTCS coordinates Board meetings; prepares Board resolutions, calendar, and minutes; and manages Board matters. The IAA comprises both the internal and external audit functions. The internal audit function conducts independent assessments of the efficiency and effectiveness of the Authority’s operations, controls, and compliance. The external audit function coordinates external reviews and audits of NYCHA operations that are conducted by external government bodies.
The Office of Impartial Hearings (OIH), formerly under the leadership of the Office of the Corporate Secretary, is now housed under the Chief Administrative Officer. The OIH handles the large volume of termination of tenancy, grievance, applicant appeals, and other administrative matters while striving to provide excellent customer service to its stakeholders (which includes residents, applicants, attorneys, and elected officials).
Connect with the CEO
As part of our “Coffee with the CEO” series, I meet informally with small groups of employees from across the Authority to discuss how we can work together more effectively to achieve our goals as an organization. If you’d like to participate, please complete the information here. Participants are chosen randomly, and you’ll be contacted if you are selected.
Do you have a general question about NYCHA? You can send your questions to AsktheCEO@nycha.nyc.gov and check NYCHANow and Connect to see if they were selected to be answered as part of our “Ask the CEO” column. Please be advised that featured questions will be published with the names of the employees who submitted them.
As always, I want to thank you for all that you do in support of the NYCHA community. Every day, New York City’s public servants show the nation what it means to care about community.
In partnership,
Lisa Bova-Hiatt
Chief Executive Officer
