NYCHA Residents Get Active to Save Public Housing

First-Class U.S. Postage Paid New York, NY Permit No. 4119 NYCHA

Vol. 41 No. 10 www.nyc.gov/nycha December 2011 NYCHA Residents Get Active to Save Public Housing Travel to Washington, DC; Rally at City Hall By Eric Deutsch YCHA residents sent a very clear Residents also gathered on Novem- Nmessage to the federal govern- ber 10 to rally on the steps of City Hall. ment – we will not be silent and we are “We have power in public hous- not going away. As Congress continues ing!” exclaimed Reginald Bowman, the to consider a number of funding cuts to Chairman of the Citywide Council of NYCHA and public housing authorities Presidents, while standing in front of a across the country, residents raisedJourna their banner that read ‘Vote 4 New Hope – l voices louder and louder to tell Wash- Power in Public Housing.’ “There comes ington, DC, “Hands off our homes!” a time when you have to stand up and More than 70 residents went to the fight for your homes. The landlord for nation’s capital on November 16 to meet public housing – the federal government with Congress members. The trip origi- – has a moral obligation and a political nally was going to focus on protesting commitment to our families.” against a House-proposed measure to The Fiscal Year 2012 budget as NYCHA residents gathered in Washington, DC, on November 16, 2011, to protest federal funding cuts eliminate funding for the 21 federalized adopted by Congress will leave NYCHA to NYCHA’s budget. They met with numerous elected officials, including shown in the center, from left to right, New York Congress members Yvette Clarke, Eliot Engel, Edolphus Towns and Nydia Velazquez. developments. But the trip turned into short $200 million for operating expens- a bit of a celebration, as the day before, es, will reduce capital subsidies from $270 details about these, please see Chairman sands of people who would become that provision was removed from next million to $250 million and cut 25 percent John B. Rhea’s message on page 3.) homeless,” Congressman Towns said. year’s budget, thanks to the work of New of the fees used to administer the Section The City Hall rally drew support from “We must be for the needy and not York Senator Charles Schumer, Congress 8 program. These proposed federal fund- elected officials, including Congress the greedy.” member Edolphus Towns and other ing cuts to NYCHA’s budget would be on member Towns. “If living in public hous- At the local level, members of the members of New York’s delegation. top of reductions that have continued to ing is not an option, the City will have to City Council’s Public Housing Commit- However, residents who made the occur over the past decade. (For more build more shelters for the tens of thou- tee are supporting continued on page 2  journey are committed to keeping the pressure on. “NYCHA doesn’t have enough staff or supplies, and Congress Insects and Rodents and Vermin–Oh Yuck! keeps telling us all that we have to do By Howard Silver more with less,” said Lilithe Lozano, the ats, roaches and other pests lead most people to get “I see that [pests] are a problem for many people and Parkside Houses (Bronx) Resident Asso- R grossed out. But for 20 ambitious NYCHA residents in I would like to help,” said 29-year old Yon Zhe Huang, a ciation President. “How many times are the Pest Control Technician Certification program, they can resident at Seward Park Extension in Manhattan. “It’s hard to they going to continue to tell us that? lead to careers. find a job in this economy and a good city job with benefits We are taxpayers. The federal subsidies The new course was the latest one offered by NYCHA’s and a pension would be nice.” are a necessity.” Resident Training Academy, with 11 men and nine women Every morning during the course, the students and instruc- completing the class on December 12. They spent six weeks tor began with a discussion of a different quote that focused in the full-time, five-days-a-week program, with instruction on their goals. One such quote was recalled by Christina inside focused on passing the state certification exam. Ramirez. “To whom much is given, much is required,” said the Baruch Houses (Manhattan) resident Dennis McLaughlin, 26, 26-year old Boulevard Houses (Brooklyn) resident. “What we this issue learned about the opportunity from NYCHA’s website. “This is learn in this course also teaches us about life.” a great learning experience that sets you up not just for a job The NYCHA Resident Training Academy is run by the Of- but a career. Besides the technical aspect, you learn how to get fice of Resident Economic Empowerment and Sustainability a job and how to keep it,” said Mr. McLaughlin. “You have to (REES). In 2012, the Training Academy plans to run 12 more understand that residents can be frustrated and when you enter courses for construction, janitorial and pest control training. their apartment, nobody wants to feel invaded.” REES anticipates enrolling up to 300 residents in the training The technical training, by a Department of Environmental courses and placing close to 200 residents in jobs. For more Conservation (DEC) certified instructor from Brooklyn Work- information call the REES hotline at 718-289-8100. force Innovations, fulfills the carefully monitored requirements of the DEC to meet certification standards. Part one of the training covered pesticide safety and application and Johnson Houses part two prepared the trainees to apply pesticides within or Community Center Opens around building structures. Students also learned “soft skills,” such as customer » read more on page 6 relations and how to interact successfully with co-workers Community Service and supervisors. If graduates come work for NYCHA, their Requirement: own experience as public housing residents can help them understand the needs and concerns of their customers. What It Means » read more on page 7 Residents who completed the course and pass the certi- Work Order Task Force fication exam can start work in NYCHA’s Pest Control Unit as Community Service Aides with an annual salary of $24,750, Completes many Tasks leading to positions as Pesticide Technicians at a salary of Residents in the NYCHA Resident Training Academy’s first pest control at South Jamaica Houses $31,972, when they receive their formal license. course learn how to properly use a gas mask when applying pesticides. » read more on page 6 2 December 2011 The Housing Authority Journal

NYCHA Resident’s Voices deputy director, Mr. Nieves. Both came on Board Meetings board answering our con- otice hereby is given that the New York City Housing cerns. All of this has given NAuthority’s Board Meetings take place every other us a sense of security. Thank Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. in the Board Room on the 12th you all for doing a great job. floor of 250 Broadway, New York, New York (unless otherwise Lovelle Watts, Robbins Plaza Resident noted). The remaining meeting for Calendar Year 2011, and the Association President meetings for Calendar Year 2012, are as follows: October 15, 2011 December 21 March 28 July 5 October 10 (sent via e-mail) January 4 April 11 July 18 October 24 Just like to give a comment on Linda Thomas, January 18 April 25 August 1 November 7 a caretaker at the Langston Hughes/Woodson February 1 May 9 August 15 November 21 November 14, 2011 Housing Development in Brooklyn. Linda is a very February 15 May 23 August 29 December 5 (sent via mail) responsible worker. She takes very good care February 29 June 6 September 12 December 19 Photograph taken by Christina Hogan, of the section she is designated at. She is a very March 14 June 20 September 27 Queensbridge North pleasant and caring person. We appreciate her! Any changes to the schedule above will be posted here and Deloris Harrell, Hughes Apartments on NYCHA’s website at nyc.gov/nycha to the extent practicable November 8, 2011 at a reasonable time before the meeting. (sent via mail) September 29, 2011 These meetings are open to the public. Pre-registration Sometimes during our busy lives, we forget to (sent via Twitter) at least 45 minutes before the scheduled Board Meeting is thank those that help to make our lives a lot I come home to found Law & Order: SVU filming required by all speakers. Comments are limited to the items on easier. I would like to thank our previous superin- around the corner from my development. the Calendar. Speaking time will be limited to three minutes. tendant, Mr. Pedroso, who whenever I called with How cool :) The public comment period will conclude upon all speakers a problem at the building, he was there. Mr. Diaz, Tia C. Rucker, Drew-Hamilton Houses being heard or at the expiration of 30 minutes allotted by law who is the manager and Mrs. Hanley, his assis- for public comment, whichever occurs first. tant, always listen to our concerns, even though November 18, 2011 Copies of the Calendar are available on NYCHA’s website they manage four other sites. Our maintenance (sent via Twitter) or can be picked up at the Office of the Secretary at 250 man Mr. McClam– keeps our building clean at NYCHA Housing has the best heat in any Broadway, 12th floor, New York, New York, no earlier than 3:00 all times, at times going beyond the call of duty. apartment building when it’s working. p.m. on the Friday before the upcoming Wednesday Board We have a new super, Mr. Hoffman, and a new Kelvin Martin, Hope Gardens Meeting. Copies of the Disposition are available on NYCHA’s website or can be picked up at the Office of the Secretary no Tell us what is on Please limit written submissions Send a snail mail to: earlier than 3:00 p.m. on the Thursday after the Board Meeting. your mind! to 250 words. NYCHA Journal Any person requiring a reasonable accommodation in order Letters to the Editor Residents’ Voices accepts The Journal reserves the right to participate in the Board Meeting should contact the Office letters, photographs, poems, 250 Broadway, 12th floor to edit all content for length, New York, NY 10007 of the Secretary at (212) 306-6088 no later than five business drawings – anything that allows clarity, good taste, accuracy, etc. days before the Board Meeting. For additional information, you to express yourself! Because of space limitations, we Send a Tweet on Twitter at must limit all contributors to one twitter.com/NYCHA_Housing please visit NYCHA’s website or call (212) 306-6088. Please include your full name, development name, address letter per person per issue. Post a message on Facebook at and phone number. We will There are many ways to share www.facebook.com/NYCHA print only your name and your thoughts with us at the Send a fax to 212-577-1358 Check out NYCHA’s Facebook page! development on our pages; Journal: we need your address and If you have any questions, ot a web-enabled smartphone? Now you can access NYCHA’s phone number for verification Send an e-mail to please send them to [email protected] GFacebook page and bonus content in this issue by scanning purposes only. [email protected]. or taking a snapshot of the QR codes. The QR code for NYCHA’s Facebook page is on the right.  continued from page 1 Step 1: Download a QR code scanner application from your phone’s marketplace (many of these NYCHA Residents Get Active to Save Public Housing “apps” are free to download). Step 2: Point your the residents’ efforts. “It is so important that we able, they can join us and we will help them,” said phone’s camera at the QR image. send a strong voice to the federal government Ms. Lozano, who has experience working as a hous- that this is a national resource and a national trea- ing specialist for elected officials. “We are under sure that we have to preserve,” Council Member attack and everyone needs to understand that.” 77 Margaret Chin told the crowd. “It is essential for every development to have its years of Public Housing Because of the ongoing fight to save funding funding,” said Laurine Berry, the Resident Associa- NYCHA in New York City for public housing, resident leaders stress how tion President at Monroe Houses in the Bronx. “I’ve ESTABLISHED 1970 • CIRCULATION 200,000 important it is for all residents to get involved. “We been in public housing for more than 50 years and Published monthly by the New York City Housing Authority Department of Communications • 250 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10007 have to keep going out on a citywide level to let I’m fighting not just for my development, but for Tel (212) 306-3322 • Fax (212) 577-1358 • nyc.gov/nycha residents know that if they’re ready, willing and every development, for our children.” Michael R. Bloomberg �� Mayor John B. Rhea ��Chairman Emily Youssouf…. ��Vice-Chair Reginald Bowman, Margarita LópezJourna ��l Board Member Victor A. Gonzalez �� Board Member the Chairman of the Vilma Huertas �� Secretary Citywide Council of Atefeh Riazi ��Acting General Manager Presidents, speaks Lynn Godfrey ��Chief Communications Officer at a rally at City Hall Sheila Stainback ��Communications Officer Eric Deutsch ��Editor on November 10, Zodet Negrón �� Editor, Spanish Edition 2011. Residents Peter Mikoleski, Leticia Barboza ��Photographers gathered to protest Heidi Morales, Brent Grier �� Staff Writers federal funding cuts If you are interested in placing an advertisement in the Journal, please call our to NYCHA’s budget, marketing representatives in the Office of Business and Revenue Development and were joined at (212) 306‑6614. The inclusion of any advertisement in this Journal does not constitute any endorsement by the Housing Authority of the advertiser or its by elected officials, products or services or any other representation by the Housing Authority with including Congress respect to such products or services. member Edolphus Towns (near right). The Housing Authority Journal December 2011 3 Message from the Chairman The holiday season is a time for us all to multiply, Washington’s solution has been to cut funding in half. enjoy the company of our family and friends. Congress has approved the Fiscal Year 2012 Appropriations act and it has been I hope everyone is warm and safe during signed into law. NYCHA will have nearly $200 million less in funds available to meet these festive and valued moments – NYCHA operating expenses. Capital funding in New York City and nationwide will be at its strives to provide warmth to your homes and lowest level in history, and NYCHA’s share of this funding will drop from a high make them safer throughout the year. We re- of $410 million received in 2001 to $250 million in 2012 to meet our capital needs. cently received an early holiday present that This level of funding can have consequences in terms of jobs, apartment repairs and allows NYCHA to do so. Thanks to the ef- other major capital investments. forts of Senator Charles Schumer, Congress In addition to public housing, NYCHA administers nearly 96,000 Section 8 Member Edolphus Towns and the Obama vouchers. There also are more than 140,000 applicants on the Section 8 waiting list Administration, a measure that would have whose needs we cannot attend to. In the Appropriation act, Congress has provided eliminated funding for the 21 federalized de- sufficient money to ensure that all families currently under lease will continue to velopments was removed from next year’s budget. The annual federalization money receive assistance. However, Congress has cut deeply the fees public housing authori- – up to $70 million – will continue to come to NYCHA. ties receive to administer their Section 8 programs, adding to our challenges for However, our efforts to maintain a high level of service continue to be challenged running Section 8 effectively. by recent legislative actions in Washington, D.C. I wrote last month about how We understand that everyone has to take on their share of budget reductions in the residents and NYCHA must join together to save public housing, and you can read current economic climate. But I want to be very clear – funding for public housing has about some of these efforts on page 1 of this issue. The reversal on federalization been under assault for more than 10 years, since long before the current federal budget funding does not end the need for our partnership. There is no question we continue problems began. We must continue to work together until the federal government to face serious and significant setbacks. stops balancing the budget on the back of public housing and low-income Americans. NYCHA relies on federal subsidies for 80 percent of the funding needed to It was this spirit of residents and NYCHA joining together that ultimately led complete its repairs and renovations. Almost three-quarters of NYCHA’s buildings to the federalization funds being preserved. This is your victory, and I thank you are more than 40 years old. Older buildings require capital improvements to fix for giving a holiday present to the more than 600,000 New Yorkers who call public roofs, elevators and brickwork; major upgrades on a regular basis are necessary housing and Section 8 housing home. to ensure that heating, cooling, plumbing and other systems continue to function properly and that residents’ apartments are well-maintained. But this funding source has been reduced steadily for decades. As buildings age and repair needs John B. Rhea

Clean Energy Corps Graduates Plan to Bronx River Houses Green Infrastructure Lead Environmentally Responsible Lives Project Completed By Zodet Negrón ity Department of Environ- or the 23 members of this program; it’s also a lifestyle.” Wald Houses in partnership with Cmental Protection Com- Fyear’s Green City Force As part of NYCHA’s Green Planters and The Corps Network, missioner Carter Strickland and – all NYCHA residents – the Agenda, the Authority has been among other community activi- NYCHA Board Member Margari- Clean Energy Corps Gradu- working with the non-profit Green ties. Corps members were trained ta López announced the comple- ation Ceremony held on City Force (GCF) for the past in job readiness, eco-literacy, out- tion of the $1 million green November 10 did not just two years to connect residents reach and energy efficiency audit- infrastructure pilot project at the represent the culmination of between the ages of 18-24 with ing for homes and small busi- Bronx River Houses on Novem- their green-collar job train- green training and job opportuni- nesses. They received a monthly ber 16. The date proved to be ing program. It also marked ties in the emerging green econo- living allowance, MetroCard and fitting, as it rained all day. The NYC Department of Environmental the start of a new lifestyle: my. Through GCF’s Clean Energy AmeriCorps educational award joint project between NYCHA Protection Commissioner Carter a newfound commitment to Corps program, the young corps that can be used for college. and DEP, which beautifies the Strickland shows NYCHA Board Member Margarita López and Bronx build a better future. members learn about the field For Maurice Davis, age 21 buildings while reducing pollu- River Houses resident Cecilia Rivera “A few years from now, I of weatherization and energy from Rutgers Houses, Green City tion, includes a blue roof, rain how the rain gardens constructed as will be having a discussion efficiency up close, through a Force has afforded him many gardens, storm water chambers part of the joint green infrastructure project between DEP and NYCHA with friends about moments in variety of activities and commu- life lessons. “The information and a perforated pipe system to capture storm water runoff to avoid life that changed me. Green nity services. Graduates receive a about the environment, working slow and capture storm water sewer overflows into the Bronx River. City Force will be one of the fellowship to go to college and/or alongside Corps members and runoff to avoid combined sewer moments I speak about,” are placed in green jobs. staff with different personalities, overflows into the Bronx River. this at NYCHA,” said resident said Justin Alston, age 23, During the six-month pro- and my improved work ethic The project will capture more Cecilia Rivera, who praised from Wyckoff Houses. “This gram, the Clean Energy Corps make me well equipped for life than 32,000 gallons of storm NYCHA and DEP for engaging program has inspired me to members participated in the NYC beyond,” he said. “I have a vision water during a single rain event. residents throughout the entire live better, do better and be a Cool Roofs campaign and built now, something that I lacked “This is the first time I see process. “I hope we can have better person. This isn’t just a an urban green space at Lillian prior to Green City Force.” something [a green project] like more projects like these.”

Join Green City Force!

reen City Force is recruiting now for the next GCF Clean GEnergy Corps! The Clean Energy Corps provides young City residents with training and leadership opportunities related to greening the economy. NYCHA residents between the ages of 18-24, who have a high school diploma or GED and are interested in joining the GCF Clean Energy Corps can visit www.greencityforce.org and complete the interest form, or call (718) 923-1400 x.279 Clean Energy Corps members celebrate their graduation from the program on November 10, 2011. 4 December 2011 The Housing Authority Journal

The NYCHA Not Wanted List A Message from the NYPD Below is a partial list of names of individuals who have been excluded permanently from NYCHA’s public housing developments. NYPD Housing Bureau Cadet Corps – Get your This list keeps residents informed of the Authority’s ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life for New Yorkers in public housing and to career started with an exciting Police Internship allow for the peaceful and safe use of its facilities. The following are he NYPD Housing Bureau Cadet Corps provides qualified college men and the people, with their former addresses, excluded as of November 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2010. Twomen with a chance to experience the challenges and personal rewards of a career in the NYPD. The Police Cadet Program is a paid internship which Prohibited as of November 3, 2010 offers benefits, varied work assignments and unlimited opportunities. Working full-time in the Nadia Alvarez Jacob Riis Houses, 1141 F.D.R. Drive, Apt. #5C, Manhattan summer and a flexible part-time schedule during the school year, you will be assigned to a Police Verice Kelly Stapleton Houses, 29 Warren St., Apt. #2N, Staten Island Precinct, Housing Police Service Area or Transit District. You will be working with some of the best Jaquan Morton Stapleton Houses, 29 Warren St., Apt. #2N, Staten Island personnel in the Department, helping to resolve real life problems. Upon graduation from the Mariano Rivera Cary Garden Houses, 2007 Surf Avenue, Apt. #10L, Brooklyn Police Cadet Corps, you will have the opportunity to be promoted to a NYC Police Officer. Larome Robinson Pomonok Houses, 155-24 Jewel Avenue, Apt. #3D, Queens Juan Santos Mott Haven Houses, 380 East 143rd St., Apt. #18A, Bronx Ronald Thomas Stapleton Houses, 29 Warren St., Apt. #2N, Staten Island With the NYPD Cadet program you can qualify for up to $20,000 in Tuition assistance. Prohibited as of November 10, 2010 Anthony Edmonds Smith Houses, 40 Madison St., Apt. #4G, Manhattan Once you reach 45 credits, you are eligible for up to a $5,000 tuition assistance loan per semester, Edison Guerrier Taft Houses, 1694 Madison Ave., Apt. #16A, Manhattan for up to $20,000 that will be considered “paid-in-full” after two years of service as a Police Rocky Haris Red Hook West Houses, 100 Dwight St., Apt. #2B, Brooklyn Officer. In addition, cadets who participate in the Police Cadet Program can earn a substantial James Malloy Eastchester Garden Houses, 3010 Yates Ave., Apt. #4G, Bronx amount in total compensation through full-time summer and part-time school year employment. Matthew Melendez Morrisania Air Rights Houses, 3204 Park Ave., Apt. #2G, For the Housing Cadet Program, candidates preferably should be NYCHA residents with Bronx 15 credits, carrying a minimum 2.0 GPA and taking 12 credits per semester. Shawn Rambert Lincoln Houses, 2130 Madison Ave., Apt. #2J, Manhattan Heriberto Rivera Jefferson Houses, 2225 First Ave., Apt. #1D, Manhattan To qualify for the NYPD Housing Bureau Cadet Corps you must be: Sal Sanchez Mariner’s Harbor Houses, 177 Continental Place, Apt. #2A, ◆◆ A resident of New York City at the time of appointment Staten Island ◆◆ 18-33 years old at time of appointment Everton Sterling Edenwald Houses, 1141 East 229th St., Apt. #6B, Bronx ◆ A U.S. Citizen or a permanent resident who will become a citizen within two years after Ernest Tucker Farragut Houses, 202 York St., Apt. #10C, Brooklyn ◆ Guy Williams Stapleton Houses, 51 Hill St., Apt. #3L, Staten Island being appointed Michael Williamson Ocean Hill/Saratoga Houses, 55 Saratoga Ave., Apt. #3H, ◆◆ Enrolled in an accredited college within New York City or Nassau or Westchester Counties Brooklyn ◆◆ For the Police Cadet Program, you must be a full time, matriculated student. To qualify for Melvin Willis Van Dyke I Houses, 372 Blake Ave., Apt. #9A, Brooklyn tuition assistance, you must have between 15 and 95 credits.

Prohibited as of November 17, 2010 COME JOIN US! For more information, call 212–NY CADET or go to www.nypdcadets.com. Kareem Blackledge Soundview Houses, 1676 Seward Ave., Apt. #6A, Bronx Raheem Clarke Red Hook East Houses, 16 Mill St., Apt. #4E, Brooklyn Wesley Dixon Mariner’s Harbor Houses, 150 Brabent St., Apt. #1A, Staten Island Samuel Edmunds Webster Houses, 421 East 168th St., Apt. #8B, Bronx Eye on Shawn Moore Linden Houses, 245 Cozine Ave., Apt. #8C, Brooklyn Pedro Pagan Straus Houses, 344 East 28th St., Apt. #21D, Manhattan Housing Fred Shepard Queensbridge South Houses, 41-07 10th St., Apt. #1D, Queens Tavon Sinceno and Sally White Millbrook Houses, 530 East 137th St., Apt. #7A, Bronx Fraud Marvin Villegas a/k/a Marlon Villegas a/k/a Marvin Quinones Pelham Parkway Houses, 2225 Bronxwood Ave., Apt. #2B, Bronx hrough the quarterly Sally White Millbrook Houses, 530 East 137th St., Apt. #7A, Bronx Tfeature “Eye on Housing Prohibited as of November 24, 2010 Fraud,” the New York City De- partment of Investigation (DOI) Carlos Almonte Grant Houses, 55 LaSalle St., Apt. #41, Manhattan provides names of residents, Raul Baez Marlboro Houses, 2220 West 11th St., Apt. #5A, Brooklyn as listed below, who have been Amos Boone Mariner’s Harbor Houses, 331 Grandview Ave., Apt. #1A, Department of Investigation Commissioner Rose Gill Hearn Staten Island convicted and sentenced for James Boone Mariner’s Harbor Houses, 331 Grandview Ave., Apt. #1A, defrauding NYCHA. In these Janice McMillan – Omo Soulemane – Staten Island cases, restitution is collected sentenced to 60 days home sentenced to a conditional Devin Campbell Grant Houses, 430 West 125th St., Apt. #2E, Manhattan through a payment sched- confinement, five years super- discharge, five hours of com- Eric Casseus Pink Houses, 2628 Linden Blvd., Apt. #5D, Brooklyn ule until fully paid, including vised release and ordered to munity service, and ordered to Samuel Coard Bushwick Houses, 390 Bushwick Ave., Apt. #13G, Brooklyn wage and asset garnishments, pay $59,004 in restitution for pay $15,261 in restitution for Kevin Collado Laguardia/Two Bridges Houses, 286 South St., Apt. #22E, if necessary. Anyone with residing as an unauthorized ten- failing to report her employ- Manhattan information regarding fraud or ant in her friend’s Louis H. Pink ment with and income from Tony George Unity Plaza Houses, 391 Georgia Ave., Apt. #1B, Brooklyn wrongdoing should call DOI’s Houses apartment in Brooklyn. the City Health and Hospitals Jesse Harrell Ocean Bay Houses, 54-74 Almeda Ave., Apt. #7C, Queens NYCHA Inspector General Julienne Sialeu – Corporation in association with Leroy Hart Pink Houses, 1305 Loring Ave., Apt. #31, Brooklyn Hotline at (212) 306-3356. sentenced to six months home her St. Mary’s Park Houses Lavar Hilson Justice Sonia Sotomayor Houses, 1810 Watson Ave., Apt. #2G, Yolanda Cuadrado – confinement, three years apartment in the Bronx. Bronx Ricky Hollins Kingsborough Houses, 241 Kingborough 2nd Walk, Apt. #4A, sentenced to five years super- supervised release and ordered Ana Torres – sentenced to Brooklyn vised release and ordered to to pay $36,250 in restitution for three years supervised release, Bianca Roberson Adams Houses, 721 Tinton Ave., Apt. #10G, Bronx pay $90,942 in restitution for failing to report her property and ordered to pay restitution Naiomy Rodriguez Bronx River Houses, 1575 East 174th St., Apt. #1G, Bronx failing to report her husband’s ownership and income, and in the amount of $11,724 for James Rogers Tilden Houses, 330 Dumont Ave., Apt. #13C, Brooklyn employment with the City her son’s presence and NYPD double-dipping by illegally Department of Transportation income, in association with her obtaining a NYCHA apartment and his presence in her Coney Island Houses apartment and a Section 8 apartment Section 8 apartment. in Brooklyn. simultaneously. Comments? Questions? E-mail [email protected]. The Housing Authority Journal December 2011 5 6 December 2011 The Housing Authority Journal

Johnson Houses Jobs-Plus Program Plans Community Center: to Expand The Wait is Over By Heidi Morales t was a long time coming!” That was the gen- On hand to cut the ribbon at the opening of the James “Ieral sentiment at the ribbon cutting ceremony Weldon Johnson Community and Children’s Center on December 2, 2011, were, from left to right, CCOP of the James Weldon Johnson Community and Chairman Reginald Bowman, NYCHA Board Member Children’s Center in Manhattan on December 2. Victor A. Gonzalez, City Council Member Melissa Mark The ceremony, held inside the shiny regulation- Viverito, CCOP Member Ethel Velez, NYCHA Chairman John B. Rhea, DYCD Commissioner Jeanne B. Mullgrav, size gymnasium, was attended by Johnson Houses Supportive Children’s Advocacy Network Executive residents, neighborhood youth and community Director Lew Zuchman, State Assemblyman Robert Van Dyke Houses Resident Association President Lisa Kenner speaks during leaders, NYCHA officials and staff and elected of- Rodriguez and State Senator Bill Perkins. the Jobs-Plus presentation on November 17, 2011. ficials – all who have been committed for years to livering remarks were Department of Youth and Up to Eight New Sites to be Added making the community center a reality. Community Development Commissioner Jeanne “It’s an exciting moment. The fight for this B. Mullgrav; State Senator Bill Perkins; State As- By Eric Deutsch center was a long struggle, but now it’s here,” semblyman Robert Rodriguez; City Council Mem- YCHA’s Jobs-Plus program, which provides job training and said Ethel Velez, the Johnson Houses Resident ber Melissa Mark Viverito; Supportive Children’s Nwork experience for public housing residents, is planning Association President and Manhattan North Chair Advocacy Network Executive Director Lew Zuch- to expand into more developments. Jobs-Plus participants are of the Citywide Council of Presidents, who was at man; Children’s Museum of Manhattan Executive eligible for employment placement, retention and advancement the forefront of the efforts to open the center. “We Director Andy Ackerman; and Time Warner Vice services, training and education, including pre-GED, GED and wanted to have an impact on our community and President Bobby Amirshahi. ESL classes and financial counseling, among other services. now I’m so happy this center is finally opening.” Mary DuBose, a Resident Watch Captain and Jobs-Plus currently is in three locations in the Bronx, Manhat- The facility combines a children’s center with a resident of Johnson Houses for 50 years, plans tan and Queens. REES will be seeking proposals from contrac- larger community center, including a gymnasium to take full advantage of all the programming tors to operate Jobs-Plus sites in as many as eight new locations with locker rooms; performance stage with a for seniors. “It’s beautiful. After waiting this long, to be determined across the city. Any new location will have movie screen and outdoor amphitheater; exer- it would be very hard not to participate in the to be located either within a NYCHA development or within a cise room; computer laboratory; game room; and programs,” she said. quarter of a mile of a development. commercial kitchen. Part of the day care center will house exhibits Two community forums were held on November 14 and 17 to NYCHA Chairman John B. Rhea welcomed by the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, which gather residents’ feedback on the proposed expansion. Mickey the crowd, thanking them for their persistence will offer hands-on educational programs and Reid, the Red Hook Houses Association Vice President, attended and patience, and assured the residents and workshops for families and professional devel- one of the forums. “This definitely would be accepted at Red community members that “Good things come to opment programs for parents, caregivers and Hook,” said Mr. Reid. “I had hurt my back but I want to get back those who wait. It is our hope that the Johnson public housing educators. to work and am really looking forward to this program expanding.” Houses Community Center will be a safe haven Georgina Garcia plans to bring her five and The program is run by NYCHA’s Office of Resident Economic and an anchor for children, parents, grandparents four-year-old children to the center. “I’m so Empowerment and Sustainability (REES), and in partnership with and families of all backgrounds and walks of life.” excited about the museum coming here. I’m the Center for Economic Opportunity, CUNY, and the Human Joining Chairman Rhea and Ms. Velez in de- loving it!” she said. Resources Administration (HRA), provides comprehensive services to support job training and placement, as well as community support to ensure that families have opportunities to increase financial stability and economic growth. A national study about Work Order Task Force Concludes Work Jobs-Plus found that participants increased their earnings by 16 percent. The program expansion comes on the heels of Mayor at South Jamaica Houses Bloomberg’s recently announced Young Men’s Initiative. Nearly 3,000 force of maintenance workers, Task Force teams work work orders plumbers, carpenters, electri- sequentially to complete all completed cians, plasterers and painters apartment repairs without the was deployed at South Jamaica need for follow-up appoint- By Howard Silver Houses in June as part of a pilot ments. In addition to expediting YCHA’s Work Order Task program designed to reduce the long-awaited repairs, this com- NForce continues to com- maintenance and repair back- prehensive approach minimizes plete needed repairs at a rapid log at developments with the disruption to residents. The rate. At South Jamaica Houses, highest number of work orders innovative program began with the Task Force completed South Jamaica Houses residents, including Resident Association President Marlene per apartment. To date, five task five developments and has almost 3,000 work orders in 737 J. Reed (rear, far left) joined NYCHA Chairman John B. Rhea (center), Deputy force teams that continue to since expanded to eleven more General Manager for Operations Carlos Laboy (rear, right of center) and Acting apartments, making the Queens General Manager Atefeh Riazi (rear, near right) in commemorating the completion work citywide have completed developments in Manhattan, the development the first one where of all work orders at the development on November 18, 2011. more than 23,300 work orders in Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens. the entire backlog in mainte- 6,488 apartments. Resident Leander Walker nance and repairs has been The federalized developments spread out across the “In spite of our budgetary con- noted that her grown children’s completed. The South Jamaica city also have been the focus of targeted maintenance straints, we have a responsibility apartment “needed lots of Houses Resident Association and repairs. Since January 2011, NYCHA has to work smarter and better with work, like painting, plastering, joined NYCHA executive staff completed more than 189,000 work orders at the 21 what resources we do have,” said removal of mildew, and repair of and elected officials at a celebra- developments. NYCHA Chairman John B. Rhea. the stove. They waited five years tory breakfast on November 18 “The Work Order Task Force but once [the task force] came, to salute the Task Force. working throughout the city is they had all that done in one “We have a lot to be thankful residents were waiting for got all the jobs done and were our commitment to our residents week,” she said. “The staff were for,” said Resident Association repairs scheduled for 2013, but polite and courteous.” to continue seeking solutions to helpful, respectful, and pleasant President Marlene Reed. “Some when the task force arrived, they The specially-assembled task enhance their quality of life.” to have around.” The Housing Authority Journal December 2011 7 Community Service Requirement: What it Means YCHA is engaging with exemptions and to verify service, Office or call their Borough Nresidents to assist them to residents can go to the NYCHA Social Services Office at one of perform the community service website at on.nyc.gov/CSrequ. the numbers below. required to live in public hous- Residents can use computers Bronx– 718-409-8699 ing. Community service can in all NYCHA Community Brooklyn– 718-498-3243 be performed at NYCHA or Centers on regular business Manhattan– 212-334-2506 non-NYCHA facilities. It includes days, Monday-Friday, from Queens– 718-206-3286 participating in any Resident 6:00-9:00 PM to find opportuni- Staten Island– 718-816-1521 Association activity, working with ties to volunteer and other com- There also will be meetings a Resident Green Committee or munity service information. scheduled in many develop- Resident Watch, or volunteer- Residents with questions can ments for residents to have their ing at any community program, One way residents can fulfill the community service requirement is to participate in visit their Property Management questions answered. whether it is NYCHA-based, their development’s Resident Green Committee. school-based or faith-based. Almost anything that helps the Check the NYC Service web- There are many exemp- community can count, as long as site at www.nycservice.org tions that allow residents not to there is a group to verify that the or call 311 perform community service. An service has been done. Check the New York Cares exemption excuses residents Residents also can fulfill website at www.NYCares.org for the length of their current their obligation by taking part or call them at 212-402-1101 one-year lease term, unless in programs that help their Federal law requires all the exemption is permanent. family become economically public housing residents who The most common exemptions self-sufficient. This includes are not exempt to perform com- include being younger than 18 NYCHA’s Resident Employment munity service or economic self- or older than 60, having a job Services (RES) or Resident sufficiency activities for eight and making a minimum salary, Economic Empowerment & hours every month. Starting being disabled or caring for Sustainability (REES) programs, after January 2012, residents’ someone who lives in public going to school, taking a GED compliance with the community housing and is disabled. Some of or ESL program or participating service requirement will be part these exemptions are based on in financial management of the Annual Review. Currently, the information provided during counseling. approximately 90% of residents the Annual Review; for other ex- There are several ways resi- are exempt or perform commu- emptions residents must provide dents can find community service nity service. This means approxi- the information and/or submit a activities that are right for them: mately 40,000 residents do not properly filled out form. Check the NYCHA website at comply – this will result in their For more information about www.nyc.gov/nycha tenancies being terminated. the requirement, the forms for “ We can get MORE! ” People on Medicare On the Easy Choice Rewards (HMO) plan get On the Easy Choice Value (HMO) plan get of your Part B in over-the premium back counter-health (1) items each $ each month $ (3) 80 30 month H Monthly Plan Premium(1) H Preventive Services Benefits & Savings H Primary Care Visits(2) H $30 Every Month in Personal you can use Everyday! H Copay for Tier 1 Preferred Generic & Brand Drugs Health Care Items(3) $ H For Gym Memberships(3) H Dental, Vision & Hearing Benefits(3) www.easychoiceny.com 0 H Transportation to Doctor Visits(3) and much more... 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Please RSVP Dates Days Times 1-866-482-0127 October 15, 2011 to February 14, 2012 7 days a week 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. February 15, 2012 to October 14, 2012 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. TTY/TDD 1-800-622-1220 October 15, 2012 to December 31, 2012 7 days a week 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. “Easy Choice Health Plan of New York” is a marketing name for AtlantisHealth Plan, Inc. Atlantis Health Plan, Inc. is a health plan with a Medicare Contract. The benefit information provided herein is a brief summary, not a comprehensive description of available benefits. A sales person will be present with information and applications (enrollment begins Oct. 15th); For accommodations of persons with special needs at sales meetings call 1-888-300-9320. TTY/TDD 1-800-662-1220. Our hours of operation are 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Oct 15th, 2011 to Feb 14th, 2012 - 7 days a week and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Feb 15th, 2012 to Oct 14th, 2012 Monday - Friday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct 15th, 2012 to Dec 31st, 2012 - 7 days a week. (1) For plans with Part B reimbursement, you must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. (2) Primary Care Physician Co-pay is $0. Specialty Physician co-pay varies by plan. (3) Limitations and restrictions may apply. H9285_NP_1_FileandUse_09272011 8 December 2011 The Housing Authority Journal

NYCHA and Laborers’ Local 79, MTDC Celebrate Safe Horizon Provides Addition of 200+ Residents to Union Assistance to Domestic Violence Victims YCHA recently joined with or very-low income residents in vendors. We appreciate our NLaborers’ Local 79 of the connection with projects and ac- collaboration with Local 79 afe Horizon provides legal Mason Tenders District Council tivities in their neighborhoods. and our contracting partners Sservices citywide through its (MTDC) of Greater New York to “One of NYCHA’s assets is as we continue to help our Domestic Violence Law Project celebrate the addition of more the creation of and access to residents achieve their financial (DVLP) and the Immigration than 200 NYCHA residents into jobs either directly or through goals,” said NYCHA Chairman Law Project (ILP). DVLP provides the union. A luncheon was held the agency’s contractors and John B. Rhea. advocacy and representation to on November 15 at Johnson low-income and indigent victims Houses in Manhattan, where of domestic violence in orders of CCOP Chair Wins 35 NYCHA laborers, members protection, custody, support and National Award of MTDC’s Laborers’ Local 79, divorce proceedings. DVLP also n November 29, 2011, currently work. Eleven of the advocates for clients within the OReginald H. Bowman, laborers got their jobs through criminal justice system, in public Chairman of the Citywide NYCHA’s Section 3 program, benefits and housing related Council of Presidents, re- which requires recipients of matters. DVLP operates a legal ceived the National Organi- certain HUD funding to provide helpline that provides informa- zation of African-Americans job training, employment and tion, referrals, and assistance to in Housing’s (NOAAH) high- contract opportunities for low- victims of domestic violence. The est award, “The Terry Du- phone number is 718-834-7430, vernay Leadership Award,” New Yorkers for Better Neighborhoods Grants Available ext. 10. This helpline is available at the Annual NOAAH con- in English and Spanish. ference. The award is given esident Green Committees (RGCs) are For a grant application, go to www.citizensnyc. ILP provides free and low-cost annually to the individual Rencouraged to apply for New Yorkers for org/grants/NYBN.html. For more information, services to victims of domestic who most exemplifies the Better Neighborhoods Award grants, which are contact Emi Wang at 212-822-9563 or ewang@ violence, crime and torture in im- leadership qualities of Terry administered by the Citizens Committee for citizensnyc.org. If an RGC contacts the Citizens migration proceedings. ILP has Duvernay, a national leader New York City. Grants of $500 to $3,000 are Committee to request an extension at least one represented clients in Violence of housing and community available for volunteer-led groups that work on week before the deadline, it will be granted. Against Women Act self-peti- development. Mr. Bowman projects that bring neighbors together and have RGCs can request a workshop led by the tions, adjustment proceedings, (left) is shown here with a positive impact on their community. Many Citizens Committee on how to properly fill out U visa applications, family peti- the conference’s Keynote RGCs have received New Yorkers for Better the application. To set up a workshop, contact tions, applications for permanent Speaker, Congressman Neighborhoods Awards in the past. Wilfredo Florentino at 212-822-9568 or residency and asylum claims. For Emanuel Cleaver, II. The application deadline is January 31, 2012. [email protected]. the ILP intake line, the phone number is 718-943-8632. MEDICAID CAN HELP YOU QUIT SMOKING ASK YOUR DOCTOR NOW

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Made possible by funding from the Department of Health and Human Services. Zyban® is a registered trademark of GlaxoSmithKline. Chantix® is a registered trademark of Pﬁ zer, Inc. The Housing Authority Journal December 2011 9 Homeless Veterans Call NYCHA Home By Zodet Negrón and Howard Silver Social Security Benefit Increases ore than 1,400 home- Beginning in January, your Social Security benefit will Mless veterans have found increase by 3.6% due to a cost-of-living adjustment. This permanent housing in New York increase will be automatic. For answers to questions and City thanks to a federal program more information about Social Security, call 800-772-1213 that provides rental housing and or go to www.socialsecurity.gov. support services to needy vet- New Medicare Disenrollment Period erans. NYCHA, the Department If you currently are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan of Housing and Urban Develop- (Medicare HMO) you may disenroll and switch to Original ment (HUD) and Department of Medicare during the new disenrollment period which runs Veterans Affairs (VA) help home- from January 1-February 14. You must contact your plan to less veterans secure a home make a direct request to be disenrolled. You may also join through HUD’s Veterans Affairs a Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Plan) during this same Supportive Housing Program period. Your new coverage will begin the first day of the (HUD-VASH). Austin Pinckney, a former Marine and NYCHA employee, received assistance month after your request has been received. Call Alvaro González, a 47-year with his HUD-VASH voucher from NYCHA Community Coordinator Johnnymae Robinson. 800-633-4227 to get more information about your Medi- old retired Army sergeant who care options. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven was honorably discharged, assistance to secure a position 1,424 homeless veterans, who days a week. To speak to a live person, say “Agent.” said he is extremely grateful to as a caretaker at Adams Houses. have found a home throughout NYCHA, the VA and the HUD- HUD-VASH connects home- our developments and citywide.” VASH program for helping him less veterans from local Veterans For homeless veteran Austin find not only a home but the Affairs Medical Centers with Pinckney, a 50-year-old former Scholarships for College- tools to succeed. “This has been HUD rental assistance vouchers Marine, a HUD-VASH voucher a great opportunity because I provided by local public hous- helped him move from a home- Bound High School Seniors went from being homeless to ing agencies like NYCHA. VA less shelter into his own home in hrough NYCHA, the Public Housing Authorities Directors Association having my own home and a Medical Centers identify eligible Staten Island’s Stapleton Houses. T(PHADA) and the New York State Public Housing Authorities job,” said Mr. González, who candidates for public housing Mr. Pinckney, who unexpectedly Directors Association (NYSPHADA), NYCHA residents may be eligible found out about VASH at a authorities, which administer lost his job during the application to apply for college scholarships ranging from $1,000 up to $7,000. local VA hospital. “Programs the vouchers. process, also was able to obtain Residents must: like these help underprivileged “NYCHA is honored to be employment at NYCHA and ◆◆ Live in a NYCHA development or receive Section 8 housing veterans get back on their feet.” able to serve the men and now has a caretaker position at assistance from NYCHA Mr. González was able to ob- women who proudly served our Richmond Terrace. “People need ◆◆ Be a college-bound high school senior (12th grader) tain a housing voucher, a decent country,” said NYCHA Chair- to know there are such wonderful ◆◆ Have a minimum B average affordable apartment at St. Mary’s man John B. Rhea. “Through things going on here at NYCHA,” To get an application, residents can go to NYCHA’s website at Park in the Bronx and employ- the HUD-VASH program and our said Mr. Pinckney. “I came here on.nyc.gov/nychascholarships or their Management Office or ment assistance. When he told his collaboration with the Depart- for an apartment, almost lost it, Community Center. Essays, recommendations and other requirements case manager he was interested ment of Veterans Affairs, we have then the next thing I know I was also must be submitted along with the application. The deadline to in working at NYCHA, he received managed to secure housing for filling out a job application.” apply is January 14, 2012. Developments Commemorate Milestone Anniversaries

First Houses Rangel House Turns 60 Kingsborough Houses Turns 75 Rangel Houses in Manhattan Turns 70 First Houses in Manhat- reached its 60th anniversary on Kingsborough Houses in Brook- tan, the first public housing October 8, 2011. Among the lyn became 70 years old on development ever built in the residents and staff on hand to October 31, 2011. At the celebra- United States, turned 75 years old on May commemorate the occasion were Sara Nanton, tion were, from left to right, Marguerite 31, 2011. Celebrants of the landmark date Manhattan Community Operations Borough Mann, Brooklyn Borough Director; Donald included NYCHA Board Member Margarita Administrator; Tanisha Borden, Supervisor of Robinson, Jr., Assistant Property Mainte- López, Resident Association President Caretakers; Pedro Carrion, Property Maintenance nance Supervisor; Harel Brown, Property Maria Nazario, and Resident Association Supervisor; Bernadette McNear, Resident Maintenance Supervisor; Victor A. Gonzalez, Vice-President Brendaliz Santiago. Association President (holding plaque); Debra NYCHA Board Member; Michael Gaines, Barnes-Hinnant, Assistant Property Manager; Resident Association President; William Leroy Williams, Manhattan Community Operations Green, Brooklyn Borough Deputy Director; Deputy Director; and Reginald Davis, Assistant Colleen Williams, Property Manager; and Property Maintenance Supervisor. Jose Vazquez, Supervisor of Caretakers. 10 December 2011 The Housing Authority Journal