Vol. 34, No. 11 First Class U.S. Postage Paid — Permit No. 4119, New York, N.Y. 10007 November 2004 ATTAIN LAB OPENS AT BERRY HUD’S Resident 42nd Garden Awards Ceremony HOUSES IN STATEN ISLAND Service AND Satisfaction Survey Is Coming t’s that time of year again! Time for the U.S. Department Iof Housing and Urban Devel- opment (HUD) to assess how sat- isfied public housing residents are with living conditions in their developments across the nation. A random sampling of New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) residents who live in NYCHA’s 324 federally funded developments will be receiving Resident Gardeners filled the Palm House of the Brooklyn HUD’s Resident Service and Sat- Botanic Garden for NYCHA’s 42nd Garden Awards Ceremony. isfaction Survey from November (From left to right) NYCHA’s Assistant Deputy General Manager 23, 2004 through January 31, Michelle Pinnock, SUNY’s University Center for Academic and By Deborah Williams 2005. The survey includes ques- Workforce Development’s (UCAWD) William Chalmers, Deputy tions on maintenance and repair, n Friday, October 8, 2004, NYCHA celebrated its 42nd Annual General Manager Hugh Spence and Assemblyman Michael J. Cusick join UCAWD Director Vijay Macwan for a demonstration communication, safety, services Garden Competition Awards Ceremony in the Palm House of at the new ATTAIN Lab at Berry Houses. and neighborhood appearance. Othe Brooklyn Botanic Garden. While the guests enjoyed the The Resident Service and Satis- aroma of blossoming flowers, Charelle Davis, who was one of By Eileen Elliott faction Survey is part of HUD’s NYCHA’s 2003 Talent Show winners sang her own beautiful rendition he digital divide is getting smaller — at least at the New York increased effort to monitor public of the National Anthem to open the ceremony. City Housing Authority’s (NYCHA’s) Polo Ground Houses in housing authorities’ performance, NYCHA Vice-Chairman Earl a development-based program. In TManhattan, Farragut Houses in Brooklyn, and most recently at through its annual Public Housing Andrews, Jr., General Manager 1962 the Garden program was Berry Houses in Staten Island. On September 29th, New York State Assessment System (PHAS). The Douglas Apple, Community opened to residents Citywide. Assemblyman for the 63rd District Michael J. Cusick hosted a Grand PHAS also evaluates the public Operations Deputy General This year there were 502 gardens (Continued on page 8) housing authority’s physical con- Manager Hugh Spence, Opera- registered in the competition. These dition, financial health, manage- tions Management Assistant included 276 Flower Gardens, 194 CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS TO BE ment operations, and resident Deputy General Manager Vegetable Gardens and 32 Chil- services. Rowland Laedlein, Commu- dren’s Theme Gardens, reflecting INSTALLED IN 43,000 NYCHA APARTMENTS The Resident Service and Satis- nity Operations’ Citywide Pro- the efforts of 2,735 residents. Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, tasteless, colorless gas that faction Survey accounts for 10 out grams Director Ernesto Lozano, In addition, special recognition results from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, such as wood, of the 100 points a public housing and Garden Coordinators Howard was given to the Development kerosene, gasoline, natural gas and oil. Dangerous amounts of CO authority can receive under the Hemmings and Robert Bennaton Manager in each borough who can accumulate when the fuel is not burned properly, or when rooms PHAS. The survey was developed joined residents to celebrate, what registered the most gardens. This are poorly ventilated and the CO is unable to escape. with the help of resident leaders, is, in the words of the Vice-Chair- year’s winners were Monroe To help prevent CO poisoning, on May 6, 2004 an amendment was public housing authorities and man, “One of NYCHA’s most Houses registering eight Gardens made to the Administrative Code for the City of New York that industry representatives. beautiful traditions.” Brooklyn Bo- for the borough of the Bronx, requires the installation of CO detectors in every dwelling unit in a A computer program is used to rough President Marty Markowitz Wagner Houses registering 12 building where a fossil fuel-burning furnace or boiler is located. randomly choose the residents was a special guest. gardens for the borough of Man- who will receive the form. When the tradition began in hattan, Hope Gardens registering For the New York City Housing Authority this means that NYCHA will not know who par- 1944, it was known as the Com- (Continued on page 9. See pages approximately 43,000 households located in buildings with such ticipates in the survey but will munity Colonial Gardens, and was furnaces will be receiving the carbon monoxide detectors. In 4 and 5 for a list of winners.) only receive the overall score. All accordance with the law, residents will be charged $25.00 for each carbon monoxide detector provided and installed by the Authority. responses from residents will be NYCHA also has plans to install the detectors in buildings that don’t kept confidential and anonymous. Inside: have fossil fuel-burning furnaces or boilers. NYCHA urges all residents who receive the survey to • Woodside Senior Center Reopens . .page 2 Because the devices must be located within 15 feet of any room complete it. that is lawfully used as a sleeping area, it may be necessary to install Housing Authorities which • Make a Commitment to Good Health . .page 3 more than one CO detector per apartment. receive scores above 90 on their • Meet NYCHA’s New Inspector General . .page 3 NYCHA will provide all residents who are receiving the detectors overall PHAS are considered with guidelines concerning usage and maintenance. “High Performers” and qualify for • Athletes Donate Books to NYCHA . .page 7 (Continued on page 7) additional capital funding. Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Page 2 THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL November 2004 Message From The Mayor Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for Samaritan THE FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER WILL Village Woodside Senior Center in Queens PROVIDE ONE STOP ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS t was my pleasure to join Commissioner Yolanda B. IJimenez of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence and Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes last month to announce that New York City has been awarded a $1.2 million dollar grant from the United States Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women to create a Family Justice, Center in downtown Brooklyn. The (Front Row, left to right) Samaritan Village President Richard Pruss, City Council Member Eric Gioia, Mary Bortmer (who has been coming to the Center for 24 years) and State Assembly Member Margaret Center will allow victims of Markey join (back row, left to right) NYCHA’s Community Operations ADGM Michelle Pinnock, DGM domestic violence to access comprehensive services more easily by Hugh Spence and Chairman Tino Hernandez for the ribbon cutting. putting dedicated domestic violence prosecutors and all essential service providers under one roof. With only one appointment, vic- By Eileen Elliott tims will be able to meet with a prosecutor, petition for an order of ew York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) executives and staff joined elected officials, staff from protection, receive legal advice on housing and custody issues, talk Samaritan Village and neighborhood seniors for the Grand Opening of Samaritan Village’s newly to a counselor, and apply for housing and financial assistance — all Nrenovated Woodside Senior Center at NYCHA’s Woodside Houses in Queens on a breezy September while their children play safely in the next room. 30th morning. Thanks to $1.7 million in funding obtained by former City Council Member Walter McCaf- For victims of domestic violence, the physical wounds are only frey, additional funding from State Assembly Member Margaret Markey and City Council Member Eric part of the trauma they are forced to endure. Victims suffer terrible Gioia, and space and assistance from the New York City Housing Authority, seniors from the neighborhoods emotional wounds, and many lose their sense of security, their of Woodside, Sunnyside, Astoria, Long Island City and Ravenswood now have a 7,000-square-foot state-of- financial support, even their homes. These pressures often prevent the-art facility in which to enjoy meals and educational and recreational activities. them from leaving their abusers or reporting crimes to the police. Samaritan Village President Queens Borough Manager seniors, “It’s here! Enjoy it! It’s The ultimate goal of this collaborative is to reduce the number of Richard Pruss served as Master of Michael Cornelius and Woodside for you guys!” family violence incidents, recidivism and homicides. Ceremonies for the outdoor event, Houses Manager Donna Jones. The brief speeches were fol- Our administration took an important step toward easing these introducing and thanking the The Chairman called the Center a lowed by a ribbon-cutting, a tour pressures by creating the Domestic Violence Response Team many people who played a role in “great asset to the community.” of the facility, and a performance (DVRT) pilot program, launched in May of 2002. The DVRT pro- the seven-year project to expand Of Center Director Matthew in the dining room by a hot young gram brought all relevant agencies and service providers to the and renovate what was originally Ancona who also spoke that a cappella quartet, FootSteps, who table. In its first two years, DVRT has served 150 victims in the a 1,500-square-foot facility. morning, Mr. Pruss said simply in sang the National Anthem. 67th and 43rd Precincts and a Public Service Area in the Bronx Among them was City Council his introduction, “He’s been here Since November 1999 when with the highest concentrations of domestic violence. Of those Member Eric Gioia who invoked for many years.