April 2015 Inside This Issue 2 3 8

VOL. 45 NO. 2 APRIL 2015 INSIDE THIS ISSUE 2 3 8

More Jobs New beginnings Straight talk New labor agreement for NYCHA from the First Lady helps residents

Citizens of a Global Village NYCHA kids join Global Partners around the world VERY TUESDAY AFTERNOON, programs enrolled in Global Partners children at Lehman Houses Junior, including NYCHA’s afterschool Emake virtual visits to countries programs at Parkside Community as far away as Australia, Peru, and Center, Lehman Village, Saratoga NYCHA was honored to have First Lady South Africa. They are part of an Village, and Drew Hamilton Chirlane McCray as the keynote speaker at international program called Global Houses community centers. the Food Business Pathways graduation. Partners Junior that connects New York This year, students from City youth to children around the world 50 international locations – NYCHA LAUNCHES A via an Internet forum. There are several including Berlin, Hong Kong, NEW ENTREPRENEURSHIP New York City schools and afterschool (CONTINUED ON PAGE 6) PROGRAM On March 12, 2015, about 100 NYCHA residents Wilfredo Laguna, age 11; Jamia Jarvis, age 12; Christopher people, including New York City’s Bonillo, age 11; Bryan Paredes, age 12; and Yavette Martinex, age 12. First Lady, Chirlane McCray, and New York City Deputy Mayor Ali- cia Glen, attended a very special event at NYCHA: the graduation of the first class of Food Business Pathways (FBP) entrepreneurs. FBP is an innovative entrepreneurship training program for public housing residents with a passion for food and a drive to launch their own business ventures. It is the first of several economic opportunity and financial empowerment programs for NYCHA residents funded by the Citi Foundation. These programs will provide NYCHA residents with solid business development, financial counseling, job training, and employment opportunities. Other FBP partners include NYC Small Business Services, NYC Eco- nomic Development Corporation, and Hot Bread Kitchen, a business incubator for food ventures. Joining the First Lady and Deputy Mayor were NYCHA Executive Vice President of Com- munity Operations Melanie Hart, Small Business Services Commis- sioner Maria Torres-Springer, and Eileen Auld, Director for the New York Tri State Market, Citi Com- munity Development. (CONTINUED ON PAGE 10)

FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA LETTER FROM THE CHAIR The First Anniversary Tour NEW BEGINNINGS On March 5, her first anniversary as NYCHA Chair, Shola Olatoye visited each borough to highlight the importance of resident engagement, community operations, safety, and security.

Lincoln Houses: Patricia Herman, Resident Association President, and James Green, Lincoln resident.

Goodwill Industries Job site in the Bronx: NYCHA resident Lavonia Chisolm (who learned she’d been hired later that day!) and Talking with residents has been key to creating a strategic plan that will meet your immediate Jobs Plus staff member needs while also repairing and preserving NYCHA housing for the next generation. Barbara Alvarez.

N THIS SPACE, in the news media, been candid and thoughtful express- or on NYCHA’s website, you’ve ing their ideas to me and my many Ibeen hearing about the intended colleagues about what’s needed and release of a plan for Next Generation what can and will work. Next Genera- NYCHA, a long range comprehensive tion NYCHA also reflects the reality strategy to preserve and maintain of difficult financial and structural public housing. challenges NYCHA faces, the con- As we head into April and the sea- cerns that affect your homes and your son of growth, renewal and promise, families’ lives, and it lays out what we I’m pleased to say that NYCHA along can all do together to make meaning- with Deputy Mayor for Housing and ful sustainable change. Economic Development Alicia Glen Following the official publication will be presenting the plan to the date, there will be many opportuni- public at the end of this month. And ties to learn more about the specific of course, in many ways that is just strategic steps that underpin each the beginning as we have much work of the goals. For more information ahead of us to reach the four impor- about our process to create this plan tant goals of Next Generation NYCA: and residents’ role in envisioning Next 1. Achieve short-term financial Generation NYCHA, visit NYCHA’s Latimer Gardens Senior/Community Center (from left): Carolyn Jasper, Queens/Staten Island stability and diversify funding for website to read visioning plans devel- Property Management Borough Director; Brandi Covington, Assistant Director, Child Center long term financial stability oped at three NYCHA developments. of New York Latimer Gardens Cornerstone Program; Cornell Wrisby, Queens/Staten Island 2. Operate as an efficient and I look forward to sharing more very Community Operations Borough Director; Tony Bole, Program Director, Child Center of New York effective landlord soon and my thanks again to all of you Latimer Gardens Cornerstone Program; Karen Anglero, Latimer Gardens Resident Association 3. (Re)build real estate who have been so forthright and help- President; Cheryl Gersh, Program Director, Self-Help, Latimer Gardens Senior Center; Yvette 4. Develop best in class ful in voicing your thoughts. Let’s keep Martinez, Latimer Gardens Property Manager. resident services and resident the conversation going. engagement models Glenwood Houses: These goals, and the multi-step NYPD Housing strategic plan to reach them, reflect Officer Goran “Novic” what we’ve heard from so many of Shola Olatoye, Cvijetinovic you, as public housing residents have Chair and CEO, NYCHA

Lee Strasberg Scholarship winner Stephanie Dunn was incorrectly identified by her nickname, “Ming,” on the front page of the February 2015 NYCHA Journal. We apologize for the mistake!

Stapleton Houses: Joseph Benson, caretaker, Taiesha The NYCHA Andino, caretaker, and Orlando Arroyo, JOURNAL grounds supervisor, ESTABLISHED 1970 • CIRCULATION 200,000 with Chair Olatoye. PUBLISHED BY THE NEW YORK CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS 250 Broadway, New York, NY 10007 • Tel 212.306.3322 • Fax 212.577.1358 www.nyc.gov/nycha

2 FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA Building a Better Mental Health System

Above, the First Lady with NYC Health Commissioner, Dr. Mary Bassett. Regular physical activity can help control your weight; reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes Below, the Mayor and First Lady with their children, Chiara and Dante. and some cancers; strengthen your bones and muscles; and improve your mental health. Hello, NYCHA residents! When I talk with New Yorkers, one question always comes up: How can we make our communities healthier? So I’m writing today about one aspect of being healthy that NYCHA Resident Leads most of us don’t talk about. It touches almost every family in this city, no matter how much money you make or what neighborhood you call home. Yes, I’m talking about Free Shape Up NYC mental health—an issue that hasn’t gotten nearly enough attention. Consider this astounding fact: One in four people deals with mental illness in a given year. It’s pretty much impossible to go through life without you or someone Classes, Encourages you love being touched by mental illness. And too many of the people who need services aren’t getting them. Others to Join the Fun That has to change and I am committed to doing my part. My passion for this issue is personal. For starters, both of my parents struggled YCHA RESIDENT MILEDYS classes being offered is PiYo, a combi- with depression. Of course, they wouldn’t have called it “depression” back then— Pons is on a mission this spring nation of Pilates and yoga. people didn’t talk about such things. Society expected people to keep their prob- Nto get more NYCHA residents A Shape Up instructor since 2013, Ms. lems to themselves and tough it out. involved in the Parks Department’s free Pons was recently hired by the Parks De- We’ve come a long way since my parents and so many others had to suffer in si- Shape Up NYC classes. “I’m excited to partment to work as a full-time Outreach lence. But we still have a long, long way to go. I saw that when my daughter, Chiara, be connecting with people who don’t Coordinator. The popular instructor has came to Bill and me and told us that she was suffering from addiction, depression even know what Shape Up is,” says the been drawing crowds of 50 or more at and anxiety. resident of East River Houses. her classes, and she understands first- Our family was lucky. We knew these challenges were treatable, and we eventual- Shape Up NYC is a program offer- hand the challenges of getting moti- ly found enough of what we were looking for. Chiara is now kicking butt at recovery. ing free fitness classes at locations such vated to be more physically active. She But many families aren’t so lucky. We need to shatter the stigma of mental illness as Parks Department facilities, schools, hopes to share her enthusiasm for fitness and start talking about our experiences. And we need to link mental health care with hospitals, and community centers. with others by leading short demonstra- physical health care. Part of having a healthy body is having a healthy mind. There are currently 57 classes operat- tions and emphasizing that anyone can I am currently visiting New Yorkers in all five boroughs who have experienced ing every week at community centers join classes – no membership or advance mental illness firsthand. My goal is to hear some of the stories behind the troubling and senior centers across NYCHA, registration is ever required. statistics. I am also going to sit down with service providers and advocates to learn and new classes are being added this “We have a lot of fun and the spring what is working—and what needs fixing. spring. There are many different classes is the perfect time to start getting more But talk alone is not enough. This summer, the de Blasio Administration will re- to choose from, ranging from Senior active,” says Ms. Pons. To find a Shape lease a comprehensive plan for building a more inclusive and effective mental health Fitness to Boot Camp, Zumba, and Up NYC class near you call 311 or visit system. As soon as the plan is ready, we will start putting it into action. There is no even African Dance. One of the newest nyc.gov/shapeup. time to waste. If you want to follow my visits with New Yorkers, please check out my blog at FLO.NYC. And if you are struggling with mental illness, please ask someone you NYCHA GM HOUSE RESIGNS; trust for help. Talking honestly about your pain is not a sign of weakness—it’s an act of strength. MICHAEL KELLY, FORMER GM, Many of us still remember when people were afraid to say “breast” and “cancer” RETURNS out loud, like they were dirty words. Thankfully, that has changed. Today, breast cancer survivors are proud to tell ECIL HOUSE, GENERAL MANAGER of NYCHA for two and one half their stories, because they know years, has resigned effective April 15, 2015. Michael Kelly, NYCHA’s GM the community has their backs. It’s Cduring 2009-2011, is returning to resume that role and work with Chair high time for us to come together and CEO Shola Olatoye on the roll-out of NextGeneration NYCHA. as a city and do the same for “We thank GM House for his two and a half years of service to the residents mental illness. and employees of the Authority. He has been a leader for our employees and in thinking through how we improve the quality of service and operations. During Sincerely, his tenure, he has helped reduce the work order backlog by 60 percent,” said Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye. “And we welcome Michael Kelly back to NYCHA. He will play a crucial role in preserving New York’s public housing through our NextGeneration NYCHA initiatives.” Mr. Kelly has spent the past four years as the Executive Director of the Chirlane McCray Philadelphia Housing Authority and as the Director of the District of Columbia Housing and Development Corporation.

FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA 3 Spring Cleaning MANAGING MOLD AND MILDEW CEASE THE GREASE CESE LA GRASA PREVENTING MOLD • Remove sources of moisture by keeping your apartment well ventilated. Open windows and use fans. • Use your stove only for cooking, never for heating. When cooking, keep pots covered and windows open, even keeping windows slightly open will help. • Keep your drapes open during the day. PROPER DISPOSAL OF MANERA CORRECTA DE • Request repair of leaky plumbing or other water leaks as soon as possible. DESHACERSE DE LA GRASA Y • Keep the “drip pans” in your air conditioners, refrigerators and dehumidifiers COOKING OIL AND GREASE clean and dry. EL ACEITE DE COCINA • Keep your bathroom window open even a little, when weather permits, especially when you are showering. • If you have an exhaust fan in your bathroom, make sure it is working. Cover u Cooking oil poured into a drain clogs pipes in u the entire opening with a piece of paper. If it falls when you let go, your u Aceite de cocina desechado en el desagüe your home and city sewers. exhaust fan is not working; call the Centralized Call Center at 718.707.7771. obstruye las tuberías en su hogar y el • Hang wet clothes to dry in open areas, such as on bathroom shower rods, or on drying racks; thoroughly wring out clothes prior to hanging. u Clogged sewers cause sewage backups into alcantarillado de la ciudad. • Take slow drying heavy items to the Laundromat. your home and neighborhood. u Las líneas de alcantarillado obstruidas causan u el retorno de aguas residuales a su hogar y a CLEANING MOLD u Clogged sewer pipes can release sewage into • Mold should be cleaned as soon as it appears. su vecindario. local waterways, harming the environment. • Do not clean mold yourself if you have allergies, nasal congestion, cough, u sore throat, or upper respiratory infections. u Las líneas de alcantarillado obstruidas pueden • Wear gloves and protective eye goggles and clean only small areas at a ser causa de la entrada de aguas residuales en time using a detergent/soapy solution, or an appropriate household cleaner, preferably one that is labeled “antimicrobial.” las vías fluviales de la ciudad, lo cual deteriora • The cleaned area should then be thoroughly dried, and any sponges or rags el medioambiente. used to clean mold should be thrown away. • Absorbent materials that contain mold, such as linen or carpets, might need to be replaced. DON’T pour cooking oil or grease down the When you’ve tried cleaning fluids and proper ventilation and nothing seems to kitchen sink, toilet, or any help, report the mold problem to the Centralized Call center at 718.707.7771 NO Vierta grasa o aceite de other drain in your home. cocina en el fregadero de la cocina, el inodoro o ningún CLEAN OUT YOUR FRIDGE otro desagüe en su hogar. According to the USDA, if you are ever without power for more than two hours, DO pour cooled cooking oil you should clean out your refrigerator. Bacteria that cause illnesses grow rapidly in food at temperatures between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. and grease into a container, then seal and discard with SI Vierta el aceite de cocina y DON’T your regular garbage. la grasa en un recipiente, cierre • Rely on taste or smell to determine food safety. Instead use a thermometer. If the el recipiente y desechelo en la food is warmer than 40 degrees, throw it away. basura. DO • Discard meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers warmer than 40 degrees (use a Before washing pots, Antes de lavar ollas, food thermometer to check). sartenes y platos: • Keep on hand dry goods like pasta and beans, packaged foods, boxed or pans, and dishes: canned milk, bottled water, and canned goods. : • Use frozen cooler packs to keep refrigerated food cold if the power goes out DO wipe off oil and grease with a dry SI Límpielos de aceite y grasa longer than four hours; and pack items close together in your freezer to help food stay cold longer. paper towel. con una toalla de papel seca. DO scrape leftover food into the trash. SI Retire de ellos los restos de alimentos y tirelos a GARBAGE DISPOSAL la basura. DO’S AND DON’TS • Take the trash out every night. • Use small kitchen bags. For more information, Para mas información, • Place all household garbage in the garbage chute located in the hallway please visit: visite: nyc.gov/dep of each floor. nyc.gov/dep • Remove large bulky items such as old furniture to designated areas. nyc.gov/dep • Do not throw garbage out windows. Bill de Blasio, Mayor Bill de Blasio, Mayor Bill de Blasio, Mayor Emily Lloyd, Commissioner Emily Lloyd, Commissioner Emily Lloyd, Commissioner • Do not leave bulky garbage in the stair halls or near exits. Rev. 6/14 • Do not leave household garbage bags in front of building entrances, Rev. 6/14 walkways or exits. Are you a resident with something to say or a letter you’d like to share? Send it to journal @nycha.nyc.gov. Please include your contact information.

4 FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY PROGRAMS & DEVELOPMENT

SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2015 12:00 PM Group Project, Astoria Senior Center, Title, “Inside A Fantastic Tree”

OPEN TO ALL NYCHA RESIDENTS BOYS AND GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL Artwork will be accepted from 1700 FULTON STREET Monday, April 6TH through Friday, April 17TH BROOKLYN, NY 11213 Between 12 and 5 PM At the Harborview Visual Arts Center For more information please call 536 West 56th Street (212) 306-3368/2864 (Between 10th and 11th Avenues) or visit www.studionycha.org New York, NY 10019 The event is free, but a ticket is required for entry.

For ticket information, please call 212-306-2864/3368 or 212-683-3647. For more information and to schedule an appointment, please call: 212 306-2864/5165 or 212-541-5172

Approved for posting ______REES CALENDAR Human Resources OF EVENTS Young Men’s Initiative Brings Food Business Pathways Information Sessions, Opportunities to Brooklyn Cohort 2 (starting in May) • Monday, April 13, 6-8 pm, REES MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO recently an- offices, 787 Atlantic Avenue, nounced the next phase of the Young Brooklyn Men’s Initiative (YMI) at the bright, • Tuesday, April 14, 6-8 pm, new Jobs-Plus Center at Van Dyke Queensbridge Resident Houses in Brownsville. “The Jobs- Association Office, 10-44 41st Plus program at Van Dyke Houses is Avenue (near 12th Street), the kind of thing that really reaches Long Island City, Queens people – that helps them build skills, REES Information Sessions helps them connect to jobs,” the • Every Tuesday and Thursday at Mayor said. Then he introduced proof 8:30am at REES offices, of his proposition: 21-year-old Lafay- • 787 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn ette Gardens resident Alaquan Bell, • Wednesday, April 22, 10 am, a Jobs Plus graduate who is well on Lincoln Square Neighborhood his way to reaching his career goals in Center, 250 West 65th Street, aviation. New York Residents should RSVP Funded nationally by YMI, Jobs- for all the events by calling the Plus helps young men of color Mayor de Blasio said that the YMI program boosts the city’s efforts to improve literacy, REES Hotline at 718.289.8100. achieve educational and career goals workforce training, and crime prevention. Below, Alaquan Bell, a YMI success story. by providing working-age The Summer Youth residents with job place- Alaquan worked on his job for eligible residents when calculating Employment ments, training, financial search cover letter, updated rent levels. More than 6,000 NYCHA counseling, and a range his resume, and soon found residents now have the EID work PROGRAM FOR TEENS AGES of supportive services. In a job working at Walgreens. incentive. Alaquan planned to use his 14-15 offers a maximum of 20 New York City, Jobs-Plus is But he wasn’t satisfied credit on college studies at Vaughn hours of work a week, Monday supported by the Human earning $8.50 an hour, so College of Aeronautics and Technol- through Thursday, July 6 through Resources Administration, Alaquan discussed training ogy, in Queens, so that he can work in August 15, 2015, at $8.75 per NYCHA, the New York City and employment opportuni- aviation at a New York airport. hour. NYCHA residency is not re- Center for Economic Op- ties with his counselor.. After Asked what motivated him to keep quired to apply. Interested youth portunity, and the Department of earning a security guard license and striving, Alaquan replied, “I want to be can apply on-line or download an Consumer Affairs. A total of 23 OSHA certification, Alaquan was hired a good provider for my future family, application from the City’s Web developments are currently served by Universal Protection Services, where so they can have things that I didn’t Site: www.nyc. gov/dycd. Appli- by Job-Plus, with one located in he now earns $13 an hour. have and do things that I couldn’t do.” cations will also be available at each borough. He also learned about the Earned To find the Jobs-Plus center near- NYCHA Development Manage- At the Bedford Stuyvesant Restora- Income Disallowance at Jobs Plus. With est to you, contact NYCHA’s Dept. of ment Offices. tion Corporation Jobs Plus program, EID, increased earnings are not counted REES at 718.289.8100.

FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA 5 Getting to Know NYCHA MY NAME: MARISOL SEMPRIT

MY HOME: WALD HOUSES

MY JOB: SUPERINTENDENT’S SECRETARY AT GOMPERS HOUSES, AND LANGUAGE BANK VOLUNTEER

My job is great because: SOUNDS SO SWEET! We have everything here at NYCHA, all nationalities – it’s the United Na- tions. And my residents know me. Members of the NYCHA Youth Chorus performed four songs at the 4th Annual Federal When I go outside, they talk to me Inter-Agency Celebration of National African American History Month. Held at the like I’m family. If you help people, they offices of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on lower Broadway in Manhattan, the will always remember that about you. event featured an address by Public Advocate Leticia James. Pictured from left to right: That’s why people are always looking Jessenia Peña,Stephanie De Los Santos, Meshach Jackson, Samaya Kanu, Clayton Bryant for me specifically! My favorite place to eat out: McNair, Ronnie Artis, and Micayla Garcia. For more information on the NYCHA Youth The Odessa diner on Avenue A. I Chorus, contact Carmen Roman at 212.427.6648. The Chorus is currently auditioning Why I do it: really like it because it’s not fancy and young people ages 9-21. I love speaking and writing Spanish, the prices are good. So it’s great when and it has improved a lot! Spanish var- I don’t want to cook. ies so much – words can have different meanings depending on where you’re What I do for fun: from. Because NYCHA has such a Reading, traveling, spending time Mr. Reyes-Santos demonstrates how to use variety of people, I’ve learned from all with my family – my four grandkids are a snack box made from recycled milk jugs, the people I speak to, from places like my pride and joy and filled with healthy treats! Mexico and Nicaragua. I love listening to: My funniest work experience was: Spanish music – merengue, reggae- When I first joined NYCHA , I trans- ton, salsa (which is my favorite). Marc lated a tenant meeting here at 80 Anthony. I have to see him someday, Pitt Street, and I said something and but his tickets are so expensive. the whole audience laughed at me. I didn’t know what I said that was so My favorite get-away: funny! Apparently I said this, this, and Florida, because I have a lot of family this, and it was totally wrong! The ten- there, including my sister, who’s like ants busted up, and some of the staff my other half. So I need at least a who were there still crack up about it week there. Only been to Las Vegas when they see me. once, but I loved it.

(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1) Johannesburg, Lima, Melbourne, The online forum is a critical Mumbai, and Prague as well as New component of the program. “All of York – are focused on environmental the students respond to a question sustainability. and post back and forth to one Throughout the school year, children another about their responses,” Mr. participate in activities that are both Reyes-Santos explained. “The forum fun and educational, finishing in May stimulates their interest in other with a capstone project they present to counties and cultures, and encourages family and friends at Gracie Mansion. them to think differently about their Educator Miguel Angel Reyes-Santos, own communities.” who teaches the Global Partners Global Partners Junior was curriculum at all four NYCHA locations, developed by NYC Global Partners, the has focused on re-using and recycling: not-for-profit organization located in the his students have made everything Mayor’s Office that connects the City of from shoes and vests out of discarded New York to cities around the world, in cardboard and comics to re-usable cooperation with the NYC Department PARKSIDE COMMUNITY CENTER shopping bags crafted from industrial of Parks & Recreation. For more plastic wrappers and snack boxes information on the program, visit the REMEMBERS ROSA PARKS fashioned from milk jugs. New York City Global Partners website.

Children ages 6-12 at the Parkside Community Center celebrated Black History Month by MARCH MAY reenacting scenes from the Montgomery Bus Boycott, including Rosa Parks refusing to give Fulton Houses Van Dyke I Houses up her seat on the bus. They also performed an original show that featured poems, skits, Mott Haven Houses Red Hook II Houses songs, and trivia, including the game “Who Am I?” during which the children took turns Rutgers Houses pretending to be recognized Black Americans throughout history, such as Malcolm X, Harriet 131 Saint Nicholas Ave Tubman, and Oprah Winfrey.

6 FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA Are your child's immunizations up to date? Shotsor Spots

Call your child’s doctor today! Fidelis Care is working to keep our members and the community healthy. Measles and Chickenpox are just two of the diseases that you can prevent by having your child immunized. Children under the age of 2 don't have all the defenses they need to fight off infection. Immunizations (shots) protect them from dangerous childhood diseases like: • Whooping Cough • Mumps • Polio • Tetanus • Hepatitis • Diphtheria • Measles and more... • Rotavirus • Flu • Chickenpox

Is Your Child Covered? Fidelis Care offers New York State sponsored free or low-cost health insurance coverage for children under 19 through the Child Health Plus program.

1-888-FIDELIS • fideliscare.org (1-888-343-3547) | To learn more about applying for health insurance including Child Health Plus and Medicaid through NY State of Health, the Official Health Plan Marketplace, visit www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 1-855-355-5777.

FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA 7 2015 HUD Changes to Flat Rent Due to a new HUD requirement, all public housing authorities including NYCHA are required to increase flat rents over the next three years to 80 percent of Fair Market Rent (FMR).

If you are one of the 141,000 less than 60 percent of AMI and years to 80 percent of FMR or the and the PHA’s rent policies for NYCHA households who pay 30 you currently pay less than 30 Brooke Amendment income-based determination of such rent. Public percent of your income toward percent of your income for rent, rent, whichever is less. housing families do not pay more rent, your rent will not be your rent will increase over the • This 9 percent rent increase will result than 30 percent of their total increased. next three years. in an average increase of $78 per income for rent. • 5,000 flat rent households with • Your rent will be increased over month for 2015. • Area Median Income (AMI) refers incomes between 80 percent and three years until you pay either • The average household income of to the income level earned by a 100 percent Area Median Income 80 percent of FMR or the Brooke this group is $50,186; the average given household in a geographic (AMI) were charged 80 percent of Amendment income-based rent, rent is $979. area where half of the households the FMR for their flat rents starting whichever is less. • NYCHA will increase rent for in the area earn more and half with the December 31, 2014 annual • The proposed rent increase of 12 households in this category starting earn less. Area Median household reviews. These households are in percent will result in an average on November 1, 2015. incomes are frequently used to compliance with the law and will increase of $89 per month for 2015. determine housing affordability. not have additional rent increases. • The average household income for TERMS • Fair Market Rent (FMR) is the • Flat rent households (5,200) with these families is $37,000 and the • Flat Rents are based on the market estimated amount of money a incomes greater than 100 percent average monthly rent payment is rent charged for comparable units property with a certain number of of AMI currently pay 85 percent $730 a month. in the private unassisted rental bedrooms, in a certain area of the of the FMR for their flat rent and • NYCHA will begin to increase rent market. The flat rent is designed country, will rent for. HUD calculates are in compliance with the FY for households in this category on to encourage self-sufficiency and the numbers for each area with the 2014 Appropriations Act. These November 1, 2015. to avoid creating disincentives for help of census data and through households will not have additional If you are one of the 10,500 continued residency by families renter surveys. Fair Market Rents rent increases due to the proposed households with income between who are attempting to become are used to determine rental Amendment. 60 percent and 80 percent AMI economically self-sufficient. voucher amounts for government and you pay less than 30 percent • Brooke Rent (Income Based Rent) assistance housing programs such If you are one of the 14,700 flat of your income for rent, your rent is a tenant rent that is based on the as Section 8 (Housing Choice rent households with an income will increase over the next three family’s total household income Voucher Program).

Faster Repairs, More FY2015 ANNUAL PLAN MEETINGS Jobs for Tenants Highlights of the meeting presentations can be found at : on.nyc.gov/nycha-fy15

What Would You Do with Your Refund? DEAR NYCHA RESIDENT, This tax season, make sure you take advantage of important tax credits and the AST MONTH NYCHA announced dum of Understanding (MOU) to provide City of New York’s free tax filing program so you can put more of your hard- a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) residents union jobs and training earned money back into your pocket. You have until April 15! Lwith the Building and Construc- through pre-apprenticeship and appren- If you earned money in 2014, you could get a refund of up to $10,000 for you tion Trades Council (BCTC) of Greater ticeship programs. The apprenticeship and your family, just by qualifying for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the New York that will benefit residents in programs are an opportunity for NYCHA Child Care Tax Credit. One out of five, or about 250,000 New Yorkers who qualify two ways: faster repairs and access to residents to not only learn a new trade for the EITC don’t claim it, leaving thousands of dollars on the table. Many New union jobs and training. The agreement but become union members, which Yorkers use these tax refunds each year to save for an emergency or pay off debt. will impact major capital repairs such as opens doors to better jobs, better pay Remember: the only way you can get the EITC refund – money you earned – is construction and rehabilitation work. and more employment opportunities in if you file your taxes. “This agreement benefits NYCHA the long run. These are “earn while you And, the City of New York offers free and confidential tax preparation so you residents in multiple ways – faster and learn” programs with on-the-job training don’t have to spend extra money. To file safely and for free, visit one of the more better quality work, real-life convenience and classroom instruction. than 200 tax prep sites around the city or you can file online. and above all, access to skills that will lead NYCHA and the unions will work To learn more about whether you qualify for the EITC, see an interactive map to good, long-term employment,” said with The Edward J. Malloy Initiative for that can point you to a free tax prep site in your neighborhood, and a link you can NYCHA Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye. Construction Skills (C-SKILLS), Helmets to take to the City’s online tax preparation assistance, visit DCA’s website at “We thank the Building and Construction Hardhats (H2H), Nontraditional Employ- www.nyc.gov/taxprep Trades Council for their collaboration and ment for Women (NEW), Center for What would you do with your tax refund? support to improve the quality of life of Military Recruitment, Assessment and our residents.” Veterans Employment, and other such Julie Menin As part of the PLA, unions have organizations to recruit residents, assess Commissioner, agreed to adjustments on shift pre- their construction aptitude, make referrals Department of miums, a no-strike or work stoppages to apprenticeship programs or hiring Consumer Affairs clause and universal dispute resolution halls, provide counseling and support mechanisms that prevent interruptions and offer employment opportunities. in the project work. This will help reduce Residents who have already been trained labor costs by approximately 3 percent, through NYCHA’s Resident Training as well as improve the quality of our Academy (NRTA) can also be referred to construction projects. the apprenticeship programs. To benefit our residents further, For more information, contact REES NYCHA and BCTC signed a Memoran- at 718.289.8100.

8 FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA Pop Up Prom Shop

ROM IS AN EVENT MOST HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS CAN’T WAIT FOR, but it can also come with major expenses. The “1st Annual Prom PPop Up Shop” can help ease some of these costs by offering free prom dresses, tuxedos, and accessories to those who attend. The Prom Pop Up Shop features a full day of events: time to “shop” for dresses, tuxes, shoes, jewelry, purses, and bowties; free hair and make-up ap- pointments; and presentations from guest speakers Keynon Jackson, a motiva- tional speaker, and Seleah Simone, a fashion stylist. Personal shoppers will be on-hand to assist attendees in finding their perfect outfits. In addition to all the prom goodies they’ll get to take home, two lucky attendees – one teen boy and one teen girl – will receive $500 scholarships. The event is organized by S Cubed Productions, LLC., and co-sponsored by NYCHA Manhattan Community Operations, The Girl Scouts, Ignite, The Writerz Rumble, Fashion I, DTN, and Miss New York Plus America. The Pop Up Shop will be held on Saturday, April 18, from 12 to 4 p.m. at the Clinton Community Center in East Harlem. The event is free and open to all high school students with a school ID who pre-register online at http://www.scubedproductionsinc.com/future-events.html.

Delicious, Nutritious, Free! IF YOU LIKE good food and food that’s good for you, you’ll love “The Future of Food in Harlem,” a free conference open to the public. On Thursday, May 14 and Friday, May 15, from 5 pm to 9 pm each day, the event will feature film screenings, interactive workshops, kids’ activities, Harlem Grown farm produce give-aways and, best of all, free food. Sponsoring organizations include West Harlem Group Assistance, Harlem Grown, CONNECT, the Area Health Education Center, Corbin Hill Farms, Enza Academy, Maysles Documentary Center, International Youth Leadership Institute and the School of Design Strategies at Par- sons The New School of Design. The event will be held at the Oberia Dempsey Multi-Service Center at 127 West 127th Street (off Lenox Avenue). RSVP by calling 212.862.1399 ext. 40 or emailing [email protected].

FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA 9 FOOD PATHWAYS PROGRAM

(L to R) Anthony Robinson, Jaynine Taylor, Sherri Royes, Shadawn Jennings, Katrina Kelly, Meredithe McKellar, Simone Campbell, Stephanie Anderson-Meynard, Tarsha Harrison.

They participated in a 10-week training each of the organizations involved ing program that provides 28 hours of in the initiative who will use a rubric that MICHELLE classroom time over a ten-week period. evaluates each candidate’s business BUTTERFIELD Classroom topics include developing a plan including business concept, avail- Eastchester Houses business concept, assessing the compe- able resources, competitive analysis, Goal: Own her own tition, capacity-building, licensing, and and funding strategy. The five finalists bakery. operations and management. At the will be announced in mid-April. end of the course, all participants will Among the students’ business ideas Named for her two have the knowledge to develop a busi- are: a healthy baked goods business; granddaughters, ness plan and a funding strategy, plus a a “new” soul food restaurant where Skylar and Janelle, new network of contacts for future ad- “classic” dishes are updated with Michelle’s Skynelle vice and support, additional guidance healthier ingredients; catering services Bakery is halfway John Childress says this class is one of the from the instructor, and mentors. and event planning; a “casual Carib- there to becoming best he’s taught in over 20 years as an Following a presentation of their busi- bean” eatery; a restaurant called After a reality thanks to entrepreneurship instructor. ness plans to an evaluation committee, Five for “people who’ve had a rough Michelle’s concerted all students complete an application for day” that will be open from 5:05 pm fundraising efforts. (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1) the second step of the program, during to 5:05 am; and a restaurant featuring Michelle plans to “For far too long, the odds have been which five of these students will have the healthy cooking where all dishes are launch in Yonkers. stacked against men and women who opportunity to launch their businesses “sinfully good yet guilt-free.” want to start their own businesses,” using Hot Bread Kitchen’s incubator NYCHA will offer two more FBP the First Lady said. “Food Business space for six months. They will also get courses this year, one beginning in Pathways provides budding entrepre- funding to pay for licenses, permits and May and one in September. For more neurs with the tools they need to turn fees and fees, and additional busi- information on the program or to ap- their skills and passion into a successful ness coaching. The applications will be ply, visit www.opportunitynycha.org/ business.” reviewed by a team of experts represent- food or call REES at 718-289-8100. “NYCHA is proud to offer to our residents the first of several Business Pathways programs. With our partners, JOANN POE LANCELOT BROWN we have crafted a program that takes Patterson Houses Breukelen Houses budding food entrepreneurs from their Goal: Open a bakery. Goal: Open a casual din- dreams to reality by providing them ing restaurant showcasing with education, coaching, financial sup- Joann’s Elegant Jamaican cuisine. port, incubator space, and mentoring,” Cakes and Confec- Chair Olatoye said in a statement. “Em- tions will feature This native of Jamaica powering NYCHA residents to start and cupcakes, pies, tarts plans to open a casual, grow their own businesses is just one and candies made elegant authentic Jamai- facet of NYCHA’s strategy of keeping with all-natural ingre- can eatery in Canarsie. our developments and our communi- dients. Joann also He’s already identified a ties strong for the next generation.” does event planning financial manager, busi- The first FBP cohort is comprised and decoration and ness manager, marketer of 21 students representing all five hopes someday to and four cooks, and has boroughs. Students were selected have a mobile des- create a fundraising plan through an application process; most sert truck. built on crowd sourcing, of them had prior food business expe- bank loans and support rience and all of them have a dream from family and friends. they passionately want to realize.

10 FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA (L to R) Joann Poe, Michelle Butterfield, Vanessa Dixon-Munford, Cherylann Cross, Robin Alexander, LeKeesha Chapman, Lancelot Brown, Shyritta Conley, Ndeye Fatou Diop

SARAH STEVENS Anthony Robinson – C.A.S.A. Café Carver Houses OPENING Cherylann Cross – Cheryl’s Gourmet Dogs Goal: Owning a SOON! Jaynine Taylor – TaylorMade Creations for All Occasions small restaurant. Joann Poe – Joann’s Elegant Cakes Katrina Kelly – Kodi’s Kitchen Attention hard FOOD BUSINESS LaKeesha Chapman – Eva’s Comfort working Manhattan PATHWAYS’ Shadawn Jennings – Every Juicy Bite folk: Sarah plans to GRADUATES Sherri Royes – Chef Sherri’s Catering open After Five, an AND THEIR adults-only restaurant Shyritta Conley – Ritta’s Treats that will be open BUSINESSES Simone Campbell – Simma’s Caribbean Cuisine from 5:05 pm to 5:05 Stephanie Anderson-Meynard – Im Victoriouz Creationz am for folks who’ve Tarsha Harrison – Coco Food for Your Soul had a rough day and Vanessa Dixon-Munford – The Queen’s Palace need to treat them- Lancelot Brown – Jamaica Grill selves. Marcus Butler – Hungre Huzlaz Group Inc. Meredithe MCkellar – Simply Deliciousness Michelle Butterfield – Skynelle Bakery Ndeye Fatou Diop – Chez Maytre Robin Alexander – Lady Aries Soul Food Sarah Stevens – After 5

MEREDITHE MCKELLAR ANTHONY ROBINSON Unity Plaza Van Dyke Goal: Food truck, on Goal: Envisions a line sales, maybe even restaurant serving a storefront. classic his mom and grandmother made. Meredithe has launched a range of delicious des- CASA – that stands for serts packaged in reusable Cynthia (his mom), Anna mason jars in various sizes. (his grandmother), south- Selections include banana ern (his heritage) and pudding and peach cob- American (his nationality) bler. Meredithe’s already – is Anthony’s American/ using the internet to soul food restaurant con- stimulate sales; next on cept. He plans to open her to-do list is finding this home cooking haven retail outlets. in Brownsville.

FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA 11 12 FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA