Vol. 37, No. 1 www.nyc.gov/nycha DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007 HUD SECRETARY VISITS THE NEW USER-FRIENDLY RENT BILL THE CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY’S (NYCHA’S) MONTHLY RENT BILL HAS A NEW LOOK! NYCHA has changed the format of the bill to provide public hous- ing residents with more detailed information about transactions recorded to your account. In addi- tion to rent due, the new state- ment now shows utility fees for the usage of heavy-duty appli- ances, parking fees and retroac- tive fees. The statement also shows the most recent payments and credits to your account. “Our purpose is to have a user-friendly statement that shows exactly what residents are being charged for,” said Deputy Director Adham Choucri. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secre- NYCHA began sending the tar y Alphonso Jackson (right) joined Housing Authority new bills out in December, to Chairman Tino Hernandez and executive staff for a visit to the Grant reflect December payments and Houses Senior Center on the morning of December 6th. The Secre- January charges. The information tary spent some time getting to know residents after touring the sheet to the right of this article facility. The Grant Houses Senior Center is one of 95 spon- will also be included with the sored senior centers on NYCHA property. It provides meals and ser- new bill. Any resident who still vices to approximately 70-80 seniors daily, including arts and crafts, has questions should contact his recreation and field trips. NYCHA also operates an additional 42 or her housing assistant. senior centers. Shown from left to right are: Grant Houses Resident Association President Sarah Martin, Chairman Hernandez, Drew Hamilton Resident Association President and North Coun- Keeping Residents Safe With CCTV cil of Presidents Chair Barbara G. Barber and U.S. Department of By Eileen Elliott systems in NYCHA developments, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson. THERE IS NO QUESTION: THE USE OF and for Fiscal Year 2007 Council CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION CAM- Members have already allocated an First Houses’ 70th Anniversary ERAS, OR CCTVS, HAS HAD A DRA- additional $5.8 million. Today MATIC IMPACT ON CRIME IN THE NEW Small-Scale CCTV systems exist in YORK CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY 21 NYCHA developments. In addi- (NYCHA) DEVELOPMENTS WHERE tion, Large-Scale, or VIPER (video THEY ARE LOCATED. In a December interactive patrol enhanced) sys- 14th New York Times article, the tems, which are significantly more paper quoted a statement made by expensive to operate, now exist in NYPD chief spokesperson, Paul J. 15 NYCHA developments. Browne, in which he refers to the The cameras are effective not cameras as “a highly effective crime only because they facilitate arrests fighting tool.” Residents report feel- but also because they act as deter- ing greater security, and residents rents. Because the Small-Scale sys- who live in developments that do tems were installed relatively wick, Brooklyn captured footage not have the CCTVs have petitioned recently, NYCHA does not yet have of an armed robbery. The footage NYCHA, the NYPD and various statistics on their effectiveness. was used to create a wanted poster, elected officials for the systems. However, with regard to the VIPER and because of that poster, officers Responding to improvements in systems, on average, index crimes from PSA #3 were able to recog- CCTV technology which made the (i.e., murder, rape, assault, robbery, nize and arrest the suspect three 70TH ANNIVERSARY! NYCHA celebrated First Houses’ 70th systems more affordable, NYCHA burglary and car theft) go down by days after the crime was commit- Anniversary in October. In the picture above (left to right) NYCHA Vice- and the City Council formed a part- 25% the first year after cameras are ted. This is just one example of Chairman Earl Andrews, Jr. presents a proclamation to long-time First nership in 2004 to bring Small- installed, and crime continues to go how the Small-Scale CCTVs can Houses resident, 91-year-old Andrew Hladek, and First Houses Scale CCTVs to public housing down in subsequent years. help facilitate arrests. Manager Tedric Gamble. Signed by Mayor Bloomberg, the document developments. Over the past two The Small-Scale CCTV Program Under the Small-Scale CCTV proclaims October 21, 2006 in the City of New York, “First Houses years Council Members have allo- Program, NYCHA installs state-of- Day.” See page 5 for the complete story. cated approximately $7 million for In November 2006, elevator the-art high resolution video cameras the purchase and installation of the cameras at Hylan Houses in Bush- (Continued on page 4) PAGE 2 PAGE 3 PAGE 5 INCREASED ACCESS THE FUTURE OF PRE-APPRENTICESHIP TO HEALTHY FOOD PUBLIC HOUSING OPEN HOUSES THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL 2 DECEMBER 2006 / JANUARY 2007

MAYOR’S MESSAGE NYCHA: Making a Difference in People's Lives Increased Access to Healthy Food By Heidi Morales A LITTLE OVER 70 YEARS AGO, THE IN MID-NOVEMBER I JOINED NEW YORK CITY HOUSING CITY COUNCIL SPEAKER CHRIS- AUTHORITY (NYCHA) WAS CRE- TINE C. QUINN AT MELROSE ATED TO DO AWAY WITH TENEMENTS HOUSES IN THE BRONX TO AND SLUMS AND THE OVERALL ANNOUNCE A CONCERTED EFFORT DEPLORABLE LIVING CONDITIONS TO INCREASE ACCESS TO FACING THE POOR IN THE 1930S. HEALTHY FOODS IN LOW-INCOME Although no running water, rooms COMMUNITIES BY CREATING A without windows, outhouses and NEW FOOD POLICY TASK FORCE communal bathrooms are pretty AND THE NEW POSITION OF FOOD much a thing of the past, there are POLICY COORDINATOR. This col- other factors that today affect the laboration between my office quality of life of many working and the City Council will class families. expand the availability of nutri- Dania and Ricardo Mendoza, tious, affordable food in under- new residents of NYCHA’s Dyck- served communities, enhance NEW HOME Riccardo and Diana Mendoza are very happy with their man Houses can attest to the reali- the nutritional standards fol- new home in Manhattan’s Dyckman Houses. ties facing many working families lowed by City agencies in feed- in New York: realities such as lack ing clients and staff, and improve access to food support programs. about public housing and decided we are,” Mr. Mendoza said with a of space, noise pollution, deterio- The City’s nutritious foods agenda also includes increasing enroll- to apply. That was three years ago. sigh of relief. rating buildings and perhaps most ment in food support programs, such as Food Stamps. Over 1.08 mil- This past summer the Mendozas Looking Toward the Future devastating for the working poor, lion New York City residents received Food Stamps in July 2006 — a were notified about their eligibility higher and higher rents. 36% increase since January 2002. Yet despite these gains, there are for a NYCHA apartment but they This humble Honduran family Before moving into this north- still many New Yorkers who are eligible for Food Stamps but have had no other choice but to turn it said now the future looks a little ern Manhattan development, the not enrolled. down because they were strapped more comfortable and relaxed and Mendozas lived just three blocks It is now easier than ever for New Yorkers to determine if they are for cash — they’d been saving that’s why people should realize away in a one-bedroom apartment eligible for Food Stamps and a host of other programs. In October, the money to send their eldest daugh- how important public housing is where they said they endured poor City launched ACCESS NYC, an online tool that brings 21 different ter to Mt. Saint Mary College in and protect it. living conditions. Mr. Mendoza City, State, and federal human service benefit programs –— including upstate New York in September. “This is heaven. So, what are we said the building in which they food stamps –— into a single Web site. By entering basic household In this situation an applicant who supposed to do? Support the sys- lived and paid a market-rate rent of information into the site (available at www.nyc.gov/ACCESSNYC), turns down an apartment is placed tem and try to make it better,” Mr. close to $1,000 a month started to residents can receive a list of the programs for which they are poten- back on NYCHA’s Tenant Selection Mendoza said. “It’s up to us to look rundown and dirty and added tially eligible, print partially-complete application forms and find and Assignment Plan (TSAP) ros- continue this [public housing]. that he couldn’t deal with the noisy office locations. If you don’t have Internet access, call 311. ter, which was established to ensure This system has to continue not neighbors who played loud music At the same press conference, I also announced the expansion of that all applicants for public hous- just for us but for the ones that into the wee hours of the morning. the Healthy Bodegas initiative from 200 bodegas to more than 1,000 ing are processed and treated under come after us,” he added. “I work six days a week. I would in the South Bronx, East and Central Harlem, and Central Brooklyn equal terms. It can be months, “This is a great benefit for us. get up for work after not sleeping over the next two years. Expansion of the initiative will also include sometimes years before they are We are getting back on our feet. all night. I was uncomfortable. I the launching of the “Green Light” section in bodegas to highlight notified about the availability of This is just the beginning but we was tense.” healthier food items available for purchase, such as 1% milk, diet bev- another apartment. But the Men- are headed in the right direction. The Mendozas and their two erages, fruits and vegetables. dozas had luck on their side. “They We have one daughter in college daughters — 18 year-old Bessy Melrose Houses was chosen as the location for the healthy foods told us that we would probably have already and we know that the next and 14 year-old Lizzeth — lived announcement because it is one of two New York City Housing to wait another year but two months several years will be a little easier cramped up in that one-bedroom Authority (NYCHA) developments visited twice a month by City later they called us back and here for us,” Mrs. Mendoza added. apartment for more than a decade, Harvest’s Mobile Market trailer. The Mobile Market provides free, using the living room as the mas- fresh produce to some 3,200 residents of Melrose Houses and to ter bedroom and the bed as a din- approximately 1,180 residents of Stapleton Houses in Staten Island. ing room table. The Housing Authority The lack of affordable and healthy food options in low-income 73 But all that has changed. In fact, years communities can have significant consequences, such as obesity and the Mendozas said moving to of Public Housing diabetes, which are epidemic in New York City as well as nationally. Journal in New York City NYCHA has been a godsend. “I Societal changes, such as increasing the availability of healthy food thought to myself, ‘if God is giving and decreasing the cost, can be an important part of the solution. us this opportunity we have to take ESTABLISHED 1970 • CIRCULATION 200,000 Here’s to a happy and healthy 2007! it’ and we have come to find a gold Published monthly by the New York City Housing Authority mine here. Here [at Dyckman Michael R. Bloomberg Department of Communications Houses] I sleep well, the neighbors 250 , New York, N.Y. 10007 are great, we communicate. That’s Tel (212) 306-3322 • Fax (212) 577-1358 something we never had before. It’s nyc.gov/nycha a great environment,” Mr. Men- Michael R. Bloomberg...... Mayor October 1st – May 31st doza said. “We’ve been blessed. I Tino Hernandez...... Chairman think this system [public housing] Earl Andrews, Jr...... Vice-Chairman Minimum Indoor Temperature is fantastic. Too bad I came to real- Margarita López ...... Board Member ize it so late,” he added. Vilma Huertas...... Secretary Douglas Apple...... General Manager From 6AM to 10PM It’s Never Too Late Sheila Greene...... Director, Department of Communications 68 degrees Fahrenheit Eileen Elliott ...... Editor whenever the outdoor temperature The Mendozas admitted that Heidi Morales...... Editor, Spanish Edition before they became NYCHA resi- Allan Leicht ...... Staff Writer is below 55 degrees. Deborah Williams ...... Staff Writer dents they knew very little about Peter Mikoleski, Kevin Devoe...... Photography Minimum Indoor Temperature public housing. “Twenty years ago if people spoke about ‘the project- If you are interested in placing an advertisement in the Journal, please From 10PM and 6AM s’you felt fear, so we just adjusted call our marketing representatives in Marketing and Revenue Operations to the rent prices around here,” at (212) 306-6616. The inclusion of any advertisement in this Journal 55 degrees Fahrenheit Mrs. Mendoza said. But with a does not constitute any endorsement by the Housing Authority of the whenever the outdoor temperature daughter planning to enter college advertiser or its products or services or any other representation by the falls below 40 degrees. they decided to put aside all the Housing Authority with respect to such products or services. negativity and uncertainty they felt THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL DECEMBER 2006 / JANUARY 2007 3

DEBORAH’S DIARY By Deborah Williams CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE BOROUGH DIGEST The Bronx: NYCHA Cooks — On November 16, 2006, the The Future Of Public Housing NYCHA’s Department of Resi- New York City Housing Authority’s (NYCHA’s) Department of Resident Employment Services IT’S 2007! JUST AS THE NEW dent Employment Services (RES) hosted the second Culinary Arts Training YEAR BRINGS NEW OPPORTUNI- hosted its second “Empower- Program Graduation Ceremony — this one at TIES, IT ALSO BRINGS NEW ment Through Employment Job the Bronx River Community Center. Ten CHALLENGES. The New York Fair” for 2006, at Fordham Uni- City Housing Authority versity in the Bronx on October NYCHA residents were the proud recipients of cer- (NYCHA) faced some serious 26th. More than 100 NYCHA tificates marking their completion of the six-week course. challenges in 2006, and staff residents attended and 21 Just as Deputy General Manager Hugh Spence promised at the first and residents worked together companies and government Culinary Arts Graduation Ceremony in Brooklyn last August, the to take significant actions. entities were on hand screen- program is branching out to the five boroughs. “In doing this, Many of our efforts, so far, ing for potential employees. NYCHA will provide a way for our residents to be trained locally have been successful. Represented at the fair were: within their communities,” said RES Director Sonia Torruella. Our initiatives were out- Avis Rental Car, Commerce City Council Member Annabel Palmer, a special guest at the grad- uation, encouraged the members of the class to become master chefs. lined in the “Plan to Preserve Bank, the Bronx Chamber of She pointed out, “NYCHA is seeing to it that our communities Public Housing,” which I Commerce, Bronx Workforce receive the kind of training that will provide lifelong skills that will announced last April. The One, Coca-Cola, Fresh Direct, Hunts Point Works, Ikon Office lead to jobs with substantial benefits.” seven-point plan was Solutions, Jet Blue, Primerica, Utilizing the full kitchen at the Bronx River Community Center, designed to ensure the via- The New York City Department each participant met on Mondays through Thursdays, to learn how to bility of public housing not for the Aging, Starbuck’s, cook soups, pastas and a variety of international dishes. “It’s quite only for the families who Home Depot, Zales, Partners different from what you do in your kitchen at home,” said Rebecca currently live in NYCHA’s in Care, Neighbors’ Home Bonds of McKinley Houses. On Fridays, the participants attended 344 developments, but for future generations. Key points of the Care, Fed Ex and the U.S. workshops on resume writing, interview techniques and Internet job plan included a one-time allocation from Mayor Bloomberg and Postal Service. search techniques. the City Council of $120 million, and increased fees for heavy duty Nia Evans, a mother of four boys, ages 5, 8, 13 and 15, and a res- appliances and parking. The plan also included increased rents for ident of Betances Houses in the Bronx, hopes to one day work as the 27% of residents who were already at the ceiling rent limits. Brooklyn: the top chef in a restaurant. Nia’s family all agreed that her home Just as we could not have effectively implemented these changes On October 28th in the plaza cooking is excellent and it makes sense for Nia to use her cooking without your cooperation, I ask for your cooperation again as we at Kingsborough Houses, talent professionally. enter NYCHA’s 73rd year, especially with one critical aspect of the NYCHA executive staff joined Chef and Culinary Arts Instructor Russell Moss of the Consortium Plan to Preserve Public Housing: the transition of 8,400 units of con- representatives from the for Worker Education remarked, “My students were mature and really ventional public housing from 21 developments once funded by the Groundswell Community Mural smart. I only hope I taught them to be passionate about food.” Mr. City and State, into the Section 8 program. Project to thank the sponsors Moss also said he hopes that his students will continue their educa- and artists who helped create These developments no longer receive funding from any source tion at the Art Institute of New York City, where he teaches a more the mural there: “Weeksville: and so NYCHA has had to use its already inadequate federal extensive culinary course slated to begin in January 2007. Past, Present & Future.” Nine- money to pay for their operation. In 2006 operating these build- All foods served at the graduation ceremony were prepared by the teen teenage muralists from graduates. They included a delectable spread of roast beef, macaroni ings accounted for a full half of NYCHA’s budget deficit. Allowing the Summer Youth Employ- the 8,400 units into the Section 8 program will provide a new fund- salad, fresh fruit, assorted cold cuts, and other flavorful dishes. ment Program painted the The Culinary Arts Training Program is a joint initiative between ing stream and keep rents affordable for all 21,000 families in the mural, which is 12 feet high the United Way, NYC Works, The Consortium for Worker Education 21 developments. and no less than 85 feet long. and its Artisan Baking Center, RES and NYCHA’s Community Oper- NYCHA held over 200 meetings with residents last spring to It tells the story of the historic ations’ Bronx Office. Funding for the program was provided through explain why the transition is important and what it means. I myself 19th Century free black com- a grant from the New York City Council. met with City, State and federal elected officials about the transi- munity known as Weeksville, Special Congratulations to Rebecca Barnes, Juan Benhame, Six- tion. I’m happy to say that based on these meetings, resident inter- which was where the present mar Cuello, Nia Evans, Maria Gomez, May Johnson, Terri Jones, est appears strong. As of the writing of this column, NYCHA is day community of Kingsbor- Lateesha Richardson, Tyler Robinson, and Efigenia Torres—Culinary still waiting to hear whether or not the U.S. Department of Housing ough is. The mural is painted Arts Graduates of 2006. and Urban Development (HUD) will approve the plan. As part of on the back of a relief by our strategy we are also seeking resources from the State to support famous Harlem Renaissance State developments. artist Richmond Barthé. To further complicate NYCHA’s financial situation, in 2007 Groundswell is a New York City housing authorities across the country are slated to receive a 22% based nonprofit organization budget reduction. That means that despite all of the actions we are that brings together profes- taking, the Housing Authority is now looking at a more serious sional artists, grassroots orga- deficit than for Fiscal Year 2006. This is money that is needed to nizations and communities to maintain buildings, to pay utility bills, to employ our staff and to create high quality murals. keep community centers open. Other partners in the project If we are serious about the future of public housing, housing were NYCHA, the Weeksville Heritage Center, the Brooklyn authorities and residents alike must continue our efforts in the com- Museum and the Indepen- ing year, gather our forces, share our intelligence and make our dence Community Foundation. voices heard. I look forward to working with you to preserve the legacy and the promise to keep public housing alive and well for generations to come. Manhattan: Ft. Washington Houses Ser- Tino Hernandez vices for the Elderly hosted a groundbreaking on the morning of November 2nd to mark the $2.2 million renovation of the THE SENIORS’ CORNER Senior Center. The renovation New York City Police Department of the 5,500 square foot space GET FREE TAX HELP! Toll-Free Terrorism Hotline will include a library, activity rooms, a spa, kitchen, confer- Call 311 for the location of FREE Reports May Be Made To: ence room, offices, a reception tax assistance sites in your area. 1-888-NYC-SAFE area, a circular corridor and a handicapped accessible 1-888-692-7233 Call now and avoid the rush. (Continued on page 5) THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL 4 DECEMBER 2006 / JANUARY 2007 NYCHA Hosts Borough Domestic NOT WANTED THE NYCHA LIST Violence Conferences in October In this issue we continue our editorial policy of publishing the names of individuals who have been permanently excluded from our public housing By Eileen Elliott tion by actor/comedian and activist developments. The purpose of publishing this list is to keep residents Ben Atherton-Zeman, entitled, informed of the Housing Authority’s ongoing effort to improve the quality THE NEW YORK CITY HOUSING “Voices of Men.” Mr. Atherton- of life for all New Yorkers in public housing and to allow for the peace- AUTHORITY (NYCHA) HOSTED A Zeman, a spokesperson for the ful and safe use of our facilities. Here follows a list of the people excluded SERIES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE National Organization for Men after hearings were held on October 19 and 26, 2005. Please note:These CONFERENCES — ONE IN EACH BOR- Against Sexism, used humor and exclusions are based on NYCHA’s Administrative Hearing Process and OUGH — ON THE FOURTH WEEK OF celebrity male voice impressions to should not be confused with the Trespass Notice Program under OCTOBER DURING NATIONAL cover topics such as: sexual assault Mayor Bloomberg’s Operation Safe Housing Initiative. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS and consent, domestic violence and MONTH. AN ESTIMATED 1,000 RESI- sexual harassment, in his self- REMEMBER, DENTS ATTENDED. described “educational comedy.” IF YOU SEE ANY OF THESE INDIVIDUALS ON The conferences were entitled: The first conference took place HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTY, PLEASE CALL “Domestic Violence: A Fe-Male at the Bronx River Community YOUR MANAGEMENT OFFICE OR NYCHA’S Issue,” and focused on men as part Center on October 23rd. Keynote SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT AT (212) 306-8595. of the solution. speaker Borough President “This year’s conferences bring Adolfo Carrion, Jr., spoke pas- Prohibited as of October 19, 2005 us closer to realizing our vision of sionately about the pervasiveness Frank Green Case 7147/05 formerly associated with the eleventh ending domestic violence in our of domestic violence and the ways Bronx Borough President floor of 425 105th Street, Wilson Houses, Manhattan. communities,” said NYCHA’s in which society makes the objec- Adolfo Carrion, Jr. Joseph Johnson Case 7148/05 formerly associated with the third Director of Social Services Nora tification of women and the vio- floor of 3125 Park Avenue, Morrisania Air Rights Reissig-Lazzaro, who, along with lence against them appear to be The keynote speakers at the Houses, the Bronx. her staff, organized the annual acceptable. other conferences were: Center Daniel Still Case 7168/05 formerly associated with the third event. “By including men in this “Domestic violence is destroying floor of 64 South 10th Street, Berry Street Houses, Against Domestic Violence Brooklyn. critical dialogue, we recognize that lives — making a lasting impact on Director Luis Matos, Hunter Efrain Ruiz Case 7214/05 formerly associated with the eighth while they are a part of the prob- families and communities,” said School of Social Work Professor Franky Diaz floor of 1132 East 229th Drive South, Edenwald lem, they can and must also be a the Borough President. “Violence Samuel Aymer, social worker Efrain Diaz Houses, the Bronx. part of the solution.” is glorified in every commercial Rommel Washington of the St. Radford Prince, Jr. Case 7215/05 formerly associated with the third To illustrate that point, the high- venue in American life. Violence Luke’s Crime Victims’Treatment floor of 40 Roxbury Avenue, Mariner’s Harbor light of each of the conferences sells... We create the problem, then Center, and Richmond County Houses, Staten Island. was a special 50 minute presenta- we try to fix the problem.” District Attorney Daniel M. Luis Felicier Case 7216/05 formerly associated with the seventh Donovan, Jr. Jason Serrano floor of 67 Hill Street, Stapleton Houses, Each conference also featured a Jonathan Serrano Staten Island. panel with representatives from a Walter Serrano variety of grassroots and commu- Kelvin Calvin Case 7218/05 formerly associated with the Martinez nineteenth floor of 665 Westchester Avenue, St. nity based organizations, as well Mary’s Park Houses, the Bronx. as from the NYPD. Resource Lamont Reaves Case 7246/05 formerly associated with the fifth tables from over 20 entities pro- floor of 82-03 Hammels Boulevard, vided a wealth of helpful material, Hammel Houses, Queens and NYCHA staff were on hand to Prohibited as of October 26, 2005 address any personal issues raised Ricky Davis Case 4167/04 formerly associated with the sixth by residents in the audience. For floor of 20 Catherine Slip, Smith Houses, more information on domestic Manhattan. violence related services, call the Paul Askew Case 5680/05 formerly associated with the second Domestic Violence Hotline at floor of 3475-3485 Bivona Street, Boston-Secor 1-800-621-HOPE. As always, call Houses, the Bronx. NYCHA residents at the Bronx Domestic Violence Workshop. 911 in the case of emergency. Leonard Best Case 9662/04 formerly associated with the third floor of 5705 Avenue H, Glenwood Houses, Brooklyn. Maribel Arroyo Case 7307/05 formerly associated with the ninth Keeping Residents Safe With CCTV floor of 3135 Park Avenue, Morrisania Air Rights Houses, the Bronx. (Continued from page 1) Using its own funds, NYCHA also Manhattan; Coney Island, Inde- installed a Small-Scale CCTV sys- pendence Towers, Pink, Boule- Jermel Washington Case 7353/05 formerly associated with the fourth in building lobbies, entrances, exits, floor of 620 East 108th Street, Breukelen Houses, tem at Butler Houses in the Bronx. vard, Cypress Houses, Hope elevator cabs, playgrounds and Brooklyn. As of August 2006, additional Gardens and Penn-Wortman in parking lots, with guidance from the Trevor Williams Case 7355/05 formerly associated with the first systems had also been installed at Brooklyn; and Queensbridge in NYPD on the choice of locations. floor of 1153 229th Drive South, Edenwald Atlantic Terminal, Bushwick, Queens. The work should be com- The cameras record images 24- Houses, the Bronx. Hylan, Haber and Palmetto Gar- pleted in the spring. hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week. Joshua Yturrizaga Case 2559/05 formerly associated with the eighth dens in Brooklyn; Fulton, Chelsea, And, the previously mentioned These images are routinely stored floor of 877 Taylor Avenue, Monroe Houses, Elliott, De Hostos, LaGuardia and $5.8 million the City Council has the Bronx. for a set period of time and can be Smith Houses in Manhattan; and allocated for Fiscal Year 2007 will Duante Gray Case 5435/05 formerly associated with the fifth retrieved by staff and the police in Queensbridge Houses in Queens. be used for the systems at: Riis, floor of 60 East 104th Street, Carver Houses, the event of an incident. The Small- In 2006, City Council Members Straus, Isaacs-Holmes, LaGuardia, Manhattan. Scale CCTVs do not require also allocated additional funding Smith, Rutgers in Manhattan, South Joel Figueroa Case 7348/05 formerly associated with the fourth around-the-clock monitoring, as do for either new Small-Scale CCTV Beach and Berry Houses in Staten floor of 306 Beach 56th Street, Ocean Bay Houses, the original, Large-Scale CCTVs, or Systems or the addition of cam- Island; Wyckoff, Gowanus, Ocean Queens. VIPER systems. Terry Quattlebaum Case 7404/05 formerly associated with the second eras or other work related to the Hill, and Glenwood in Brooklyn, floor of 1167 Stanley Avenue, Pink Houses, Where the CCTV Systems CCTVs at: Isaacs-Holmes in and Boston Road in the Bronx. Brooklyn. Are Located Matthew McCree Case 7424/05 formerly associated with the second Time to throw out your Christmas tree? floor of 2945-49 West 23rd Street, Carey Gardens In 2004, the Small-Scale CCTV Houses, Brooklyn. systems were installed at Isaacs- Remember, never leave your tree in the elevator, Sedequa Packer Case 7444/05 formerly associated with the first Holmes, Two Bridges, Rutgers and stairway or hallway. Bring it down to floor of 30-19 Avenue W, Sheepshead/Nostrand Lower East Side I in Manhattan; a designated tree removal area. Houses, Brooklyn. and Independence Towers and If you are not sure of the location, Williams Plaza in Brooklyn, with please call your Management Office. the help of City Council funding. THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL DECEMBER 2006 / JANUARY 2007 5 GEARING UP FOR PRE-APPRENTICESHIPS BOROUGH DIGEST First Houses’ 70th Anniversary (Continued from page 3) By Eileen Elliott bathroom. Joining seniors at PUBLIC HOUSING IN THE WAS BORN ON THE LOWER EAST the event were Congress Mem- SIDE OF MANHATTAN 70 YEARS AGO WITH THE OPENING OF THE NEW YORK ber Charles Rangel, Assembly CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY’S (NYCHA’S) VERY FIRST DEVELOPMENT, FIRST Member Adriano Espaillat, City HOUSES. TOGETHER, NYCHA RESIDENTS AND STAFF JOINED ELECTED OFFI- Council Member Robert Jack- CIALS AND FRIENDS TO CELEBRATE THAT BIRTH IN A COBBLESTONE COURT- son, a representative from the YARD NESTLED BEHIND THE DEVELOPMENT’S EIGHT FOUR- AND FIVE-STORY Department for the Aging, Ft. BUILDINGS ON A BRISK OCTOBER 21ST AFTERNOON. Washington Services Executive “On December 3, 1935, Mayor NYCHA’s Williamsburg Houses. Director Rebecca Carel and Fiorello LaGuardia, New York “All my friends wanted to come Constantino Sagonas from State Governor Herbert Lehman over to my house to play,” she said. NYCHA’s Capital division. and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt “There was always heat and hot stood here in this courtyard water, no rats.” BUILDING FUTURES Construction Skills 2000 Director Diane Queens: and dedicated the opening of Charlotte Miles, a resident Springer addresses residents who are interested in careers in the Free after-school mentoring, NYCHA’s First Houses,” said leader from the nearby Lillian construction trades at Ravenswood Houses in Queens in November. tutoring through the 12th grade, NYCHA Secretary Vilma Huertas Wald Houses, told her story of By Allan Leicht tuition assistance and friend- in her capacity as Mistress of Cer- growing up there; a story of many achievements and happy memo- NOVEMBER WAS A GOOD MONTH FOR NYCHA RESIDENTS THINKING ABOUT ships for a lifetime — sounds emonies. “Soon after, in 1936, the ries. Vice-Chairman Earl Andrews, CAREERS IN THE CONSTRUCTION TRADES. THROUGHOUT THE MONTH, AT like a dream, doesn’t it? That first families moved into First Jr. presented a proclamation to COMMUNITY CENTERS IN ALL FIVE BOROUGHS, NYCHA’S DEPARTMENT OF dream is coming true for the 50 Houses and that is the event we development Manager Tedric RESIDENT EMPLOYMENT SERVICES (RES) AND CONSTRUCTION SKILLS third- and fourth-graders from mark today.” Gamble and long-time First 2000, INC. (CS2K) INVITED RESIDENTS TO A SERIES OF SIX OPEN HOUSE NYCHA’s Ravens-wood Houses, Located between East 2nd and Houses resident, 91-year-old PRESENTATIONS THAT INTRODUCED THE SIX-MONTH PRE-APPRENTICESHIP who were officially adopted 3rd Streets, and First Avenue Andrew Hladek. Signed by Mayor TRAINING PROGRAM, WHICH WILL OFFER TRAINING AND HANDS-ON EXPERI- into the “I Have A Dream” and Avenue A, First Houses is Michael R. Bloomberg, the docu- ENCE IN THE VARIOUS CONSTRUCTION TRADES. UPON COMPLETION OF THE Ravenswood II Program in a cer- among the smallest of NYCHA’s ment proclaimed October 21, PROGRAM, RESIDENTS WILL BE GIVEN PREFERRED ACCESS TO JOBS AS PAID emony held at the Dutch Kills 344 public housing develop- 2006, “First Houses Day.” TRADE UNION APPRENTICES. THE PROGRAM WILL BE RUN BY CS2K AND WILL School in Long Island City on ments. Yet, its historical signifi- BEGIN IN MARCH. November 9th. In exchange, the cance looms large. Before First A Call For Support Houses, squalid tenements were At the Ravenswood Commu- Then it’s off to the various job sites children took the “Dreamer often the only available housing NYCHA’s newest Board Mem- nity Center in Queens on the to watch the journeymen work. Pledge,” promising to stay in to people without means. In fact, ber, Margarita López, a former evening of November 15th, RES Once completing the program, school, aim for college and keep First Houses was created by reno- City Council Member and a long- and CS2K representatives met graduates are certified to become dreaming of their goals. Estab- vating the original tenement time Lower East Side resident with over 20 residents. CS2K is a apprentices and placed directly lished in 1986, the national “I buildings that lined the street, and referred to the financial struggle not-for-profit educational corpo- into the trades as union members. Have A Dream” Foundation removing every third building so that NYCHA and other housing ration that trains and provides ser- They receive apprenticeship pay motivates and empowers chil- that light and air could reach all authorities are facing. Commis- vices to high school students and and eventually, after a year or a dren from low-income commu- of the 122 apartments. sioner López told the crowd, “I’m adults in the construction field. year-and-a-half, they work their nities to achieve their education here to remind every one of us that In partnership with RES, CS2K way up to the position of journey- and career goals through a long- The Speakers the job is not yet done; the job is focuses on meeting the needs of man. A journeyman is a tradesman term program of mentoring, aca- NYCHA Chairman Tino Her- just beginning. Without NYCHA, NYCHA residents. or craftsman who has completed demic and cultural enrichment, nandez expressed the pride he felt the anchor that maintains this city CS2K Director Diane Springer an apprenticeship but is not yet and tuition assistance for higher as the Housing Authority’s 19th will disappear.” told the Ravenswood group that her able to set up his or her own work- education. The Ravenswood II “I Chairman and emphasized the Entertainment was provided by organization had placed 699 people shop as a master. Have A Dream” program is City’s commitment to maintaining NYCHA’s Senior and Youth Cho- in jobs in the building trades over Said Ms. Springer, “You show up being funded by The Elmezzi public housing. “We went from 122 ruses, and a photo exhibit high- the last several years. These new every day, on time and make the Foundation, which will donate families in Manhattan in 1936, to lighted the growth of public workers started as trainees and commitment and you could be earn- more than $1.2 million plus col- 187,000 families across the City in housing in New York City. graduated to become union appren- ing $75 an hour in a union job down lege tuition. NYCHA will con- 2006,” the Chairman said. “We now Although public housing may tices and then journeymen. the line. Earn while you learn.” tribute $50,000 per year to the have a Mayor who is committed to be facing challenges, you would To be eligible to enroll in the Representatives of the Interna- 10-year program. providing housing to low- and mod- never know it in the festive court- CS2K program, residents must tional Brotherhood of Electrical erate-income New Yorkers.” yard at First Houses on October have a high school diploma or Workers (IBEW) Local 3 and RES Senator Martin Connor, who 21st. The speakers left the stage, GED. Interested residents who do Deputy Director Gladys Arciniega represents the neighborhood, com- the children played, and everyone not have a high school diploma answered a variety of questions. mended NYCHA for the work it ate hamburgers and hot dogs are referred to the Department The union electricians who spoke has done, despite the challenging beneath the towering London of Education. to the group, Thomas Carlo and financial climate. And City Coun- Plane trees. The mood echoed The first four months in the Terrence Da Silva, told them that cil Member Rosie Mendez Ms. Miles’ words, “Being a CS2K program consist of work- requirements are high for electri- recalled a time when she was 11 NYCHA resident has been a shops and seminars for three hours cians and plumbers and that the years old and was forced from her wonderful thing for me and my a week. In July and August the union pays for its members to go home by a fire. The young Ms. family and I wouldn’t have it any program becomes full-time. Par- to college. Mendez and her family moved into other way.” ticipants learn about the union If you are interested in a career hierarchies, as well as what’s in the construction industry, see required of carpenters, plumbers, the ad for Construction Skills 2000 glaziers, sheet metal workers, etc. on page 6. Staten Island: City Council Member Michael McMahon made an appear- ance at the Stapleton Houses’ City Harvest Mobile Market on December 5th, to announce that he had secured $10,000 for the program. The Mobile Market visits Stapleton twice a month, providing free fresh fruit and vegetables to more than 300 families from the development. The NYCHA Senior Chorus at First Houses on October 21st. THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL 6 DECEMBER 2006 / JANUARY 2007 THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL DECEMBER 2006 / JANUARY 2007 7 THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL 8 DECEMBER 2006 / JANUARY 2007

PARKING SPACES AVAILABLE ON NYCHA PROPERTY! CALL YOUR MANAGEMENT OFFICE FOR MORE INFORMATION. Have A Happy New Year! THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL DECEMBER 2006 / JANUARY 2007 9 THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL 10 DECEMBER 2006 / JANUARY 2007 THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL DECEMBER 2006 / JANUARY 2007 11