NYCHA Outreach Continues to Assist Residents Post-Hurricane Sandy

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

Vol. 43 No. 1 www.nyc.gov/nycha January/February 2013 NYCHA Hires Residents Post-Sandy, to the Benefit of Many $7.1 million federal grant pays for nearly 400 jobs NYCHA RESTORES Additional reporting by Eric Deutsch and Howard Silver here are many people benefitting from a $7.1 million federal grant that allowed T NYCHA to hire nearly 400 people to work on post-Hurricane Sandy recovery work at developments impacted by the storm. Residents living in impacted areas will have additional staff to clean theirJourna buildings and assist them with accessing services; l the newly hired employees have jobs; and NYCHA will be able to accomplish more in a shorter amount of time. “When I found out about this, I thought it was a great opportunity to extend my- self to help my neighbors and people in distress,” said Benardo Castro from Jefferson Houses in Manhattan. More than half of the hired workers are NYCHA residents, many of whom lost their jobs as a direct result of Hurricane Sandy. The jobs are funded by a National Emergency Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor that lasts for up to six months. NYCHA was assisted in hiring workers by the New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) through its Workforce1 program. Nearly 2,000 people at five events applied for NYCHA jobs funded with a federal grant, including at “I’m glad for this opportunity with good pay. It’s good to pick people with expe- the O’Dwyer Community Center in Brooklyn on December 12, 2012, where people started lining up at 5:30 a.m. Photo by Eric Deutsch. rience in the neighborhood to help because we know (the people) and what they are going through, so we are sympathetic,” said JoJo Adeyemi from Coney Island services they may need. The Community Outreach Workers will be working later in the Houses in Brooklyn. day and on Saturdays to ensure they contact every family. “We hope to ensure that ev- Some of the new employees will serve as Custodians, keeping grounds and build- ery resident impacted by Hurricane Sandy has the services they need for their families’ ings clean. “NYCHA welcomes these new employees who will provide great assis- recovery from the storm’s impact,” said NYCHA General Manager Cecil House. tance to our residents in returning their communities and lives to a safe living environ- As part of the recruitment process for the jobs, NYCHA’s Office of Resident Econom- ment,” said NYCHA Chairman John B. Rhea. ic Empowerment & Sustainability (REES), in partnership with the New York State Depart- Other employees will be Community Outreach Workers, knocking on the doors of ment of Labor and SBS, hosted five pre-screening events in Coney Island, the Lower the 19,000 residents directly impacted by Hurricane Sandy to connect them with any East Side, Red Hook and the Rockaways to interview applicants. continued on page 2 

Deadline To Apply For Fema Disaster NYCHA Outreach Continues to Assist Assistance Extended •The deadline to apply for Residents Post-Hurricane Sandy disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Coney Island, Red Hook and Rockaways residents One of the more intensive efforts Agency (FEMA) was extended receiving significant resources is a door-to-door assessment by to February 27, 2013. By Eric Deutsch NYCHA’s Family Services Department •All residents who experienced s the City and NYCHA continue lives back to normal. NYCHA remains of all affected residents in Coney damage to their apartment, lost Ato recover from the effects of Hur- committed to providing significant Island, Red Hook and the Rockaways. wages or lost personal items due ricane Sandy, public housing residents resources to assist residents affected Employees worked hard to ensure to Hurricane Sandy should register also are doing their best to get their by the storm. they spoke with someone in every with FEMA to apply for disaster apartment to find out if any residents assistance. needed medical care, mental health •You can apply online at counseling, homecare services, www.fema.gov/apply-assistance relocation assistance or other hurri- or by calling (800) 621-3362. cane relief type of services. In addition, Department of Operations staff inspected the conditions of every apartment and cleaned them where it inside was necessary. this issue The relocation assistance was particularly vital for many families who lived in first floor apartments. New Apartment, New Eighty families in Zone A moved to Furniture: another NYCHA apartment, either NYCHA Partners Help Furnish Post-Sandy permanently or temporarily, as of » see page 10 January 28, with Authority staff coordinating the entire process. “The NYCHA Chooses Developers most important thing we can do is for Brooklyn Projects » see page 5 NYCHA General Manager Cecil House (far right) meets with residents to discuss ongoing restoration make sure all residents in the affected efforts after Hurricane Sandy at the Ocean Bay Community Center in Queens. continued on page 5  2 January/February 2013 The Housing Authority Journal

NYCHA Residents’ Voices December 10, 2012 Board Meetings (via e-mail) otice hereby is given that the New York City Housing Au- would like to take this opportunity to say Bernice helps the young ladies that come here Nthority’s Board Meetings take place every other Wednesday Ithank you to Ms. Bernice Allah. Ms. Bernice and becomes like another mother to them. at 10:00 a.m. in the Board Room on the 12th floor of 250 Broad- is an extraordinary person. She goes far and She puts them on their feet and steers them in way, New York, New York (unless otherwise noted). The remain- beyond for the residents of Breukelen Houses. the right direction, by telling them about the ing meetings for Calendar Year 2013 are as follows: She takes that extra step to make the resi- different Housing programs that benefit them; dents very happy, feel safe, and she gets the she cares. February 13 April 24 July 17 October 9 job done. She’s always a joy to be with, she Again, I want to say GOD BLESS YOU Ber- February 27 May 8 July 31 October 23 knows her job very well. She will do what no nice for all you have done for us here at Breuke- March 13 May 22 August 14 November 6 others will. Ms. Bernice takes extra care of the len Houses. WE LOVE YOU DEARLY. Keep up March 28 June 5 August 28 November 20 elderly. the great work and never change. (Thursday) June 19 September 11 December 4 April 10 July 3 September 25 December 18 She not only knows her job, but she enjoys Laura Pierce, Breukelen Houses doing it. You have no choice but to love her. Any changes to the schedule above will be posted here and on NYCHA’s website at nyc.gov/nycha to the extent practicable December 26, 2012 at a reasonable time before the meeting. (sent via Twitter) These meetings are open to the public. Pre-registration at Happy birthday least 45 minutes before the scheduled Board Meeting is required mommy!!! by all speakers. Comments are limited to the items on the Cal- Chelsea Eve endar. Speaking time will be limited to three minutes. The public Cordero, comment period will conclude upon all speakers being heard or 45 Allen Street at the expiration of 30 minutes allotted by law for public comment, whichever occurs first. Copies of the Calendar are available on NYCHA’s website or December 31, 2012 December 31, 2012 can be picked up at the Office of the Corporate Secretary at 250 (sent via Twitter) (sent via Twitter) Broadway, 12th floor, New York, New York, no earlier than 3:00 Mis delicias: Flan, Cheese Now her gift… p.m. on the Friday before the upcoming Wednesday Board Meet- Cake, Corn bread, Sweet Frances Andrea, ing. Copies of the Disposition are available on NYCHA’s website Potato Pound Cake and Bayview Houses or can be picked up at the Office of the Corporate Secretary no Brownie earlier than 3:00 p.m. on the Thursday after the Board Meeting. Noemi Allen, Unity Plaza Any person requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the Board Meeting should contact the Office of the Corporate Secretary at (212) 306-6088 no later than five busi- Tell us what is on ness days before the Board Meeting. For additional information, Send a snail mail to: please visit NYCHA’s website or call (212) 306-6088. your mind! Please limit written submissions to 250 words. NYCHA Journal Residents’ Voices accepts Letters to the Editor letters, photographs, poems, The Journal reserves the right 250 Broadway, 12th floor Check out NYCHA’s Facebook page! drawings – anything that allows to edit all content for length, New York, NY 10007 you to express yourself! clarity, good taste, accuracy, etc. ot a web-enabled smartphone? Now you can access NYCHA’s Because of space limitations, we Send a Tweet on Twitter at Please include your full name, twitter.com/NYCHA_Housing Facebook page and bonus content in this issue by scanning must limit all contributors to one G development name, address letter per person per issue. Post a message on Facebook at or taking a snapshot of the QR codes. The QR code for NYCHA’s and phone number. We will There are many ways to share www.facebook.com/NYCHA Facebook page is on the right. print only your name and development on our pages; your thoughts with us at the Send a fax to 212-577-1358 Step 1: Download a QR code scanner application Journal: we need your address and If you have any questions, from your phone’s marketplace (many of these phone number for verification Send an e-mail to please send them to “apps” are free to download). Step 2: Point your Comments? Questions? E-mail [email protected]. purposes only. [email protected] [email protected]. phone’s camera at the QR image.

 continued from page 1 NYCHA Hires Residents Post-Sandy, to the Benefit of Many 35,000+ Residents Affected NYCHA Nearly 2,000 people attended Brooklyn.“I think everyone is liv- the events. ing on a prayer right now. I will by Sandy Receive ESTABLISHED 1970 • CIRCULATION 200,000 Aaron Dais from Coney do my best no matter what they Rent Abatements Published monthly by the New York City Housing Authority Island Houses was one of want me to do,” he said. “I’ll from NYCHA Department of Communications • 250 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10007 Tel (212) 306-3322 • Fax (212) 577-1358 • nyc.gov/nycha the residents who braved be grateful to have a job.” Mr. the cold at the event at the Dais ended up being hired as a YCHA provided Michael R. Bloomberg ��Mayor O’Dwyer Community Center in Community Outreach Worker. $5.6 million in rent John B. Rhea ��Journal Chairman N Emily Youssouf…. �� Vice Chair abatements to residents im- Margarita López ��Board Member Victor A. Gonzalez ��Board Member pacted by Hurricane Sandy. Vilma Huertas �� Corporate Secretary More than 35,000 public Cecil House ��General Manager Lynn Godfrey �� Chief Communications Officer housing families received Sheila Stainback �� Communications Officer rent credits for any days Eric Deutsch �� Editor Zodet Negrón ��Editor, Spanish Edition they were without essential Peter Mikoleski, Leticia Barboza �� Photographers Howard Silver, Brent Grier ��Staff Writers services, such as power, If you are interested in placing an advertisement in the Journal, please call our heat, hot water or elevators, marketing representatives in the Office of Business and Revenue Development as a result of the storm. 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 products or services or any other representation by the Housing Authority with The people hired by NYCHA to knock on every door in Coney Island, Red Hook respect to such products or services. and the Rockaways can be identified by the bright yellow vests they will wear, with NYCHA written on the back. The Housing Authority Journal January/February 2013 3 Message from the Chairman I want to share with you many of the exciting including NYCHA residents – will provide world-class education, livable-wage and major initiatives underway at NYCHA in jobs and access to community resources for residents of NYCHA and surrounding 2013 that will enhance residents’ quality of life. communities. All of our efforts are part of Plan NYCHA, We continue to expand our efforts to work with residents, law enforcement and our five-year strategic roadmap to ensure the community-based organizations to make your homes safer. We are on schedule to preservation of public housing for generations finish installing closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras and layered access security to come. enhancements at 86 designated developments that have received city or state funding. We begin our year continuing to work on And we will keep working to secure additional government funding to expand the the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. While we layered security enhancement systems at these and other developments. successfully have restored critical electricity, I have written in previous Journal messages about the continuing decrease in heat and hot water services to all NYCHA funding NYCHA faces, and how we look for new ways to get the money we need to residents in the storm-impacted areas, we know there still is much to do. We are placing provide you with safe, decent and affordable housing. This year, we will complete a the utmost importance on securing FEMA disaster relief funding that will allow us $500 million bond issue that we will use to continue critical capital improvements such to make permanent repairs to the critical infrastructure of our buildings. This means as brick, roof and window rehabilitation at dozens of NYCHA developments. We repairing or replacing equipment in a way that will minimize the risk of damage in also will proceed with choosing the locations for our plan to work with developers in future emergencies, and also invests in resilient and sustainable systems. This work will building housing on NYCHA property, which will bring in a new source of funds to reduce our vulnerability and minimize disruption of critical resident services if other invest in preserving NYCHA homes and building additional affordable housing. Also, major weather events hit New York City. We also will continue to engage residents in we are proceeding with plans to rebuild Prospect Plaza and Randolph Houses, and to Zone A and B areas in our emergency preparedness programs. build supportive housing at Van Dyke Houses. You can read more about the Prospect In 2013, we renew our commitment to being more than just a landlord. A $24 Plaza and Van Dyke projects on page 5 of this issue. million Mayoral Initiative grant will expand the Jobs-Plus program, currently at two We have an ambitious agenda ahead of us this year – too many programs and locations, to up to seven more sites, extending new job opportunities and training to initiatives to list. Working together with all of you to achieve our common goals will hundreds of NYCHA residents. Recruitment and training already has begun for nearly make 2013 a year of success for public housing in New York City. 400 temporary post-Sandy recovery jobs for residents of NYCHA and surrounding communities, made possible through a $7.1 million National Emergency Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. And the Harlem Children’s Zone at St. Nicholas Houses – which is set to open its doors this year to an estimated 1,300 students, John B. Rhea

NYCHA Residents Will Help “Cease the Grease” in City Sewers

ome Baruch Houses residents will Baruch Houses was chosen because pour cooled cooking oil and grease Sbe doing their part to prevent of its location near a city sewer line into a container, then seal it and gross sewer backups and overflows. that has a lot of backups. The two throw it out with regular garbage. Two buildings at the Manhattan specific buildings were chosen based “It is very important that we do development are taking part in a on recommendations by NYCHA our part to not only make NYCHA new pilot program that will test the plumbers – the buildings have greener and cleaner, but all of New effectiveness of educating residents frequent backups and are connected York City,” said NYCHA Board on the importance of proper to separate sewer lines, so they can Member Margarita López, who leads disposal of grease. The pilot is being easily be compared. the Authority’s green agenda. “We conducted in collaboration with the The Baruch project is part of all are part of one community – what City Department of Environmental larger effort by the DEP to “cease one person throws away can affect Protection (DEP). the grease” by encouraging New someone else’s home.” Residents at 296-298 Delancey Yorkers not to pour used cooking Among the outreach the Street are getting an intensive oil and grease down kitchen or residents who are getting the education on the effects that grease bathroom drains or in toilets. Not intensive education will receive are has on the city’s sewer system, and only does this clog pipes and cause regular meetings, walking tours the best ways to avoid adding to sewer overflows, but it also leads along sewer routes and visits to a the problem. At the same time, to backups that go into the city’s City pump station and wastewater the residents at 70-72 Baruch Drive waterways and negatively impact the treatment facility. only will receive the information environment. People instead should card shown at right. After up to six months, the DEP will check to see how much grease has built up in the pipes running from each building, and also will keep track of how many sewer backups each building has. After that, the educational outreach will be tweaked if needed, and then the pipes will be checked again after another six or more months. Before the pilot began, all of the gunk and sewage was vacuumed out of the buildings’ internal sewer lines, and the City sewers connected to each building also were cleaned so the DEP can see if the grease The grease that fills New York City’s sewers can be seen rising up as NYCHA crews education makes a difference. cleaned out the pipes near Baruch Houses on January 8, 2013. Photo by Daniel Osgood. 4 January/February 2013 The Housing Authority Journal

The NYCHA Not Wanted List Eye on Housing Fraud Below is a partial list of names of individuals who have been excluded permanently from NYCHA’s public housing developments. This list hrough the quarterly feature “Eye on Hous- keeps residents informed of the Authority’s ongoing efforts to improve ing Fraud,” the New York City Department the quality of life for New Yorkers in public housing and to allow for T the peaceful and safe use of its facilities. The full list can be viewed at of Investigation (DOI) provides names of resi- on.nyc.gov/nychanotwanted. The following are the people, with their dents, as listed below, who have been convicted former addresses, excluded as of June 27 through August 8, 2012. and sentenced for defrauding NYCHA. In these cases, restitution is collected through a payment Prohibited as of June 27, 2012 schedule until fully paid, including wage and asset Michael Mills, Glenwood Houses, 5903 Glenwood Road, Apt. 5A, garnishments, if necessary. Anyone with informa- Brooklyn tion regarding fraud or wrongdoing should call Prohibited as of July 3, 2012 DOI’s NYCHA Inspector General Hotline at (212) Adam Benitez, Jefferson Houses, 205 East 112th Street, Apt. 4A, Manhattan 306-3356. Kasaan McKay, Whitman Houses, 127 North Portland Avenue, Apt. Nataliya Dyakovskaya – pleaded guilty to the 5B, Brooklyn federal charge of Theft of Public Money and was Department of Investigation Commissioner Eric McLendon, Redfern House, 15-40 Hassock Street, Apt. 3F, Queens sentenced to two months in federal prison for de- Rose Gill Hearn Allen Ryant, Armstrong Houses, 435 Gates Avenue, Apt. 1A, Brooklyn frauding the government of more than $77,000 Thomas Patterson – sentenced to six months Prohibited as of July 11, 2012 by occupying a subsidized NYCHA apartment for in prison and remitted $10,000 in restitution to Warren Cintron, Wise Towers Houses, 2012 West 93rd Street, Apt. more than 14 years while concealing her owner- NYCHA for defrauding the Housing Authority 22C, Manhattan ship of a condominium on Manhattan’s upper by concealing the presence of his wife and her Prohibited as of July 18, 2012 west side, which she purchased for approximately income in a Section 8 apartment in the Bronx. Anthony Graham, Grant Houses, 75 LaSalle Street, Apt. 12I, Meon Smith Manhattan $700,000, and a house and property in East – sentenced to a Conditional Dupree Williams, Brownsville Houses, 294 Osborn Street, Apt. 5A, Hampton, NY, that she purchased in 1995 for Discharge, ordered to perform 30 days of Brooklyn approximately $1.4 million. Dyakovskaya also community service, and remitted $11,050 to Prohibited as of July 25, 2012 fraudulently sublet her NYCHA apartment on NYCHA, the amount she defrauded the Housing Ernest Aiken, Mill Brook Houses, 169 Cypress Avenue, Apt. 12D, Bronx Madison Street in Manhattan. Authority between 2008 and 2010 by misrepre- Anthony Joyner, Farragut Houses, 191 Sands Street, Apt. 13E, Yanick Desince – pleaded guilty to the federal senting that she was unemployed, when in fact, Brooklyn charge of Theft of Public Money and was sen- she was employed by the New York City Transit Kendall Mason a/k/a Kendall Bynum, Castle Hill Houses, 2160 tenced to two months in prison and three years Authority. Seward Avenue, Apt. 5G, Bronx of supervised release, with the first six months Justine Williams – sentenced to a Condi- Jeremiah Rodriguez, Washington Houses, 1851 Third Avenue, Apt. 9E, Manhattan under home detention. Between 2000 and 2011, tional Discharge and ordered to pay $42,164 Markus Snowden, Castle Hill Houses, 580 Castle Hill Avenue, Apt. Desince concealed her ownership of the Section in restitution in connection with continuing to 10G, Bronx 8 property in Brooklyn where she resided and receive NYCHA subsidies even though she Prohibited as of August 1, 2012 defrauded NYCHA of $96,674, which she was failed to occupy her NYCHA apartment between Kewanii Yancey, Cypress Hills Houses, 445 Fountain Avenue, Apt. 6F, ordered to repay as part of her sentence. 1998 and 2008. Brooklyn Prohibited as of August 8, 2012 Gilbert Colon, Soundview Houses, 1725 Randall Avenue, Apt. 6E, Bronx Joseph Cornelius, Tilden Houses, 275 Livonia Avenue, Apt. 7B, Brooklyn Value-Added Sites: An Overview Waheed Cornelius, Moore Houses, 674 East 149th Street, Apt. 5J, Bronx with NYCHA’s VP of Development Gregory Jackson, Jr., Wise Towers Houses, 74 West 92nd Street, Apt. By Howard Silver the City. There will be more income variety, 19E, Manhattan n the October issue of the Journal, NYCHA and the new full-service, attractive buildings, Leonardo Martinez, Patterson Houses, 2645 Third Avenue, Apt. 3A, outlined its plan to make available underdevel- with a healthy mix of affordable and market Bronx I rate rentals, will bring new commerce and job Jason Small, Armstrong II Houses, 360 Lexington Avenue, Apt. 4F, oped land on its properties for the development Brooklyn of market rate and affordable housing and, in opportunities to neighborhoods. We’re also Carl Whitaker a/k/a Carlo Whitaker, Red Hook East Houses, 754 some cases, commercial, retail and community hoping that new housing will bring a safety Henry Street, Apt. 4C, Brooklyn facilities, with a goal of generating funds for bonus for NYCHA residents, through such anti- NYCHA to preserve its buildings. In this issue, crime measures as outdoor lighting, security NYCHA’s Executive Vice President for Develop- cameras, security staff and more eyes on the ment, Fred Harris, provides more details. street. There will be new construction jobs and specific physical improvements tailored to each What is the prospective impact on NYCHA NYCHA development. and New York City? This is a bold, large-scale project that will How are the sites to be offered at NYCHA create market and affordable housing on a developments being selected? scale rarely seen in recent years in this City. We We are guided by four criteria. First, the sites expect more than 4,000 new apartments will must have no negative impact on residents’ be created over two to three years, beginning quality of life and will not displace a single in 2014. This will make a measurable blip on existing apartment. Actually, we believe the the City’s overall economy, and a gigantic impact overall will be quite positive. Second, blip on NYCHA’s, generating tens of millions we want areas where the long-term land of dollars of highly secure cash flow for years leases will generate the most income. Third, beginning in 2014. the building sites must be near enough to the sidewalk so they are capable of having their own What are the positive impacts for public hous- street address. We don’t want to build another ing residents, in addition to more funds for “tower in the park” without direct street access. capital work and repairs? And fourth, the sites must be “as of right,” In general, we want to reduce the sense of so there is no need for rezoning or waivers or difference between NYCHA and the rest of special permits. The Housing Authority Journal January/February 2013 5

 continued from page 1 NYCHA Outreach Continues to Assist Residents Redevelopment Post-Hurricane Sandy of Prospect developments know we are here for them, ready to help in any NYCHA has Plaza Moving way we can,” said Nora Reissig, scheduled more Director of the Family Services NYCHA Restores Forward Department. “This especially was resident meetings Developer chosen true for families on the first floor, in February: to build community where conditions after the storm revitalization project in some cases just did not allow Red Hook for them to stay.” YCHA and the City De- ProposedA rendering Residential Buildings of alongthe Prospectproposed Place residential buildings that will be built on Prospect February 13, 6:30 p.m. Place as part of the Prospect Plaza redevelopment. Recognizing the importance Joseph A. Miccio Npartment of Housing of speaking with residents Community Center, Preservation and Development for the public housing units. In redevelopment.” in person on a regular basis, 110 West 9th Street (HPD) chose the developer to addition to the housing units, Built originally in 1974 by NYCHA has been holding oversee the redevelopment of Prospect Plaza will include retail a private developer, Prospect community meetings in the Coney Island Prospect Plaza that will result in space – including a supermar- Plaza consisted of four high-rise three affected areas. Residents February 19, 6:30 p.m. a mixed-use facility, including ket – and a community facility. towers with 365 units situated have the opportunity to discuss O’Dwyer Community Center, 284 affordable housing units, The project meets Plan NYCHA’s on three sites. In 2003, the any concerns they have about 2945 West 33rd Street with an additional 80 public goal to develop new mixed- towers were vacated, with one the recovery process. NYCHA housing units. Blue Sea Devel- use, mixed-income housing and tower demolished, and plans includes other organizations in Far Rockaway opment Company, Pennrose resources. “Through partner- to rehabilitate the other three; February 25, 6:30 p.m. the meetings so residents can Properties, Duvernay + Brooks, ship with HPD, we can leverage however, eventually the original Ocean Bay get updates on other items, Community Center, and Rosenberg Housing Group NYCHA resources to provide plan was found to be financially such as public transit and 57-10 Beach Channel Drive (collectively referred to as Blue housing opportunities for more infeasible. NYCHA engaged phone service. “These meet- Sea & Partners) will have the low-income New Yorkers,” said former residents and com- ings are critical to maintaining task of creating the $140 million, NYCHA Chairman John B. Rhea. munity members to create the an open dialogue between 200,000 square foot project. “We look forward to the suc- new plan for Prospect Plaza, residents and NYCHA, and have their own version, providing Former Prospect Plaza cessful revitalization of Prospect which includes demolition of the both sides have found them updates on clean-up and repairs, residents will have a preference Plaza as a model for future remaining towers. to be beneficial,” said Melba building services, social services Butler, Director for Resident assistance, information about the New Supportive Housing populations, and other targeted Engagement. “That is why we Federal Emergency Management special-needs populations have will continue to have them.” Agency (FEMA) and more. The Coming to Van Dyke Houses the supports they need,” said Another way NYCHA main- newsletter is delivered to every NYCHA names CAMBA Housing Ventures and NYCHA Chairman John B. Rhea. tains frequent and open commu- apartment. To see the NYCHA Re- “We’re also committed to us- nications is the NYCHA Restores stores newsletters, go to on.nyc. CAMBA, Inc. as developer ing NYCHA land to create new newsletter. Coney Island, Red gov/nychasandy and scroll down he plan to build a new sup- poses to build a 12-story build- housing opportunities for New Hook and the Rockaways each to “Restoration Efforts.” T portive housing building ing with 44 one-bedroom units Yorkers and NYCHA residents.” with 100 units took a big step and 56 two-bedroom units, as The Brownsville section of Tragedy Averted: Bushwick Houses Caretakers forward as NYCHA selected well as a community space and Brooklyn where Van Dyke is Honored for Heroism Brooklyn-based nonprofit CAM- a mental health clinic staffed located has one of the highest By Howard Silver BA Housing Ventures, Inc. as with a certified psychologist and rates of homelessness in New wenty stories up, on the the project’s developer. CAMBA social workers. York City and maintains a large Troof of a building at Bush- (CAMBA Housing Ventures’ “As we stated in our road- demand for affordable housing. wick Houses, NYCHA Caretaker parent organization) will provide map to preserve public housing, Once the building is complete, Rodney Golden had a firm grip on-site social services and em- Plan NYCHA, we are committed a minimum of 30 percent of the from behind around the waist of ployment training for residents to ensuring seniors, disabled units will be reserved for home- a resident. Between them was of the building, and the greater less families and families at risk a thin metal fence that the man Brownsville community will be of homelessness. The remaining had climbed to stand on the linked and referred to relevant units will be made available to ledge of the roof, ready to jump. NYCHA Caretakers Rodney Golden and CAMBA services and other low-income households – 25 Mr. Golden held his lifesaving Dwane Simmons are honored for saving community-based services. The percent of the low-income units a resident’s life by Bushwick Houses grip tight for what he said was Resident Association members Lohoma development site is in a parking will be set aside for NYCHA the longest 10 seconds of his life. Shipman, President; Janice Tucker, lot at Van Dyke Houses. residents. Based on input from Recounting the events with Treasurer; Lillian Velazquez, Sergeant- CAMBA will work with Van Dyke Houses residents, the at-Arms; Evelyn Alcaide, Vice President; fellow Caretaker Dwane Sim- NYCHA’s Resident Economic new housing will be permanent and Valerie Hill, Secretary; on January mons prior to the Brooklyn 10, 2013. Empowerment and Sustain- housing, adding increased sta- development’s Resident As- ability (REES) staff to prepare bility to the neighborhood. sociation meeting on January NYCHA residents for construc- The Van Dyke Supportive 10, where they were honored “I was just being human and tion job opportunities during Housing Project is scheduled A rendering of the proposed for their heroism, Mr. Golden wanted to see what was hap- development of the project. supportive housing building to be built for completion in the summer pointed to the top of the tall pening,” said Mr. Golden, who CAMBA Housing Ventures pro- at Van Dyke Houses. of 2015. building he rushed to on No- found the elevator ready on the vember 29, 2012. While patrol- ground floor when he arrived. ling the grounds, Mr. Simmons Without hesitation, he took it he was able to grab onto him. saved and a family didn’t have presentation, Bushwick Houses had felt a few pebbles hit his to the top of the building and Within 10 seconds, while Mr. to spend Christmas without a Resident Association president hardhat and when he looked up, ventured out onto the roof. Golden strained to hold his grip, loved one,” Mr. Golden said. Lohoma Shipman expressed saw the man hovering near the Guided only by what he had Emergency Medical Services Mr. Simmons was glad that the sentiments of many when edge of the roof. He immedi- seen on television police shows, staff arrived and helped him pull he had carefully investigated the she said, “We should take time ately radioed in the report that Mr. Golden began to speak the man over the fence to safety. source of the falling pebbles. and pride to acknowledge what Mr. Golden responded to. calmly with the man. Eventually, “I felt good that a life was At the heartfelt plaque these employees have done.” 6 January/February 2013 The Housing Authority Journal

Residents Thanks NYCHA Staff for Sandy Efforts esidents at three Manhattan developments took the time to R show their appreciation for the NYCHA staff who were very helpful during and after Hurricane Sandy. Staff at Rutgers, Strauss Executive Master of Public Administration and Vladeck Houses were honored with special citations for out- standing service at appreciation luncheons held on December 21. The citations were presented to staff by City Council Member Rosie Mendez. “This was long overdue and well deserved,” said Vladeck Houses Resident Association President Nancy Ortiz, who organized the events. “[It] was the best gift I could have received when I witnessed the smiles, gratitude and surprise of the staff.” “Our staff was really excited and pleased,” said Vladeck Houses Property Manager Patricia Reid, who praised Ms. Ortiz for organiz- ing the event. “It is really great when residents show their appreciation because it means so much to staff, especially for their outstand- ing efforts during Hurricane Sandy.”

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Our graduates pursue public policy careers within: • Local, state, and federal government NYCHA Board Member Victor Gonzalez and City Councilmember Rosie Mendez • Nonprofit organizations join staff at Rutgers (top), Strauss (middle) and Vladeck Houses (bottom) on December 21, 2012, as they were honored by residents for their dedication during • Private corporations and after Hurricane Sandy. Photos by Nancy Ortiz. • Banks Many Options at Tax Time • Consulting firms for NYCHA Residents [email protected] | 212-854-5124 hanks to several City pro- tance (VITA) sites have certified sipa.columbia.edu/joinempa Tgrams, eligible New Yorkers volunteers who will prepare taxes have several options to file their for free. To be eligible, residents taxes for free or at a very low with children must earn less than cost, and can get help to access $50,000 a year and those with- tax credits. out children must earn less than tage of the H&R Block offer, go Credit. Working New Yorkers with up to age four could be eligible New Yorkers who earn less $18,000 a year. Visit www.nyc. to www.nyc.gov/taxprep and children earning up to $49,078 for up to $1,733 from the New than $57,000 a year can file their gov/taxprep for a listing of free follow the instructions to print a a year could be eligible for up York City Child Care Tax Credit. taxes online for free through tax preparation sites citywide. In coupon which can be turned in to $7,658 from the EITC. Work- For more information, includ- the City’s tax-prep website at addition, H&R Block will prepare at participating sites. ing New Yorkers with no children ing tax preparation locations, www.nyc.gov/taxprep. For taxes for $29 for residents with New Yorkers also can find earning up to $18,740 a year eligibility for tax credits and people who want a professional children who earn less than out if they qualify for important could be eligible for up to $618 which documents are required, to prepare their taxes, there $41,000 a year and those with- tax credits, including the Earned from the EITC. A working family call 311 and ask for tax prepara- are free and low-cost options. out children who earn less than Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the earning up to $30,000 a year who tion assistance or visit Volunteer Income Tax Assis- $31,000 a year. To take advan- New York City Child Care Tax pays child care costs for children www.nyc.gov/taxprep. The Housing Authority Journal January/February 2013 7 WIN $500 INSTANTLY CASH YOUR INCOME TAX REFUND

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Federal Benefits Go Completely Electronic On March 1 NYCHA Deploys Digital Vans to Help eginning this March, currently if you receive your Social BSecurity or other federal benefits by paper check, then Residents Apply for FEMA Aid you will receive a Direct Express® Debit MasterCard® card By Eric Deutsch instead. Your benefit money will be loaded onto your Direct oraida Cruz stepped into the Express Card each month. This card may be used to pay ZNYCHA Digital Van. The Red bills or to get cash at Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) or Hook West Houses resident had locations that accept credit/debit cards. arrived early that day to apply You also have the option to have your benefits sent for disaster assistance from the electronically to a bank account or a credit union account that Federal Emergency Manage- is in your name. This is called the Direct Deposit option. Call ment Agency (FEMA). In the the number below before March 1 to get Direct Deposit if aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, you prefer it over the debit card option. You may also sign up NYCHA deployed its two Digital for Direct Deposit at your bank or credit union. People who Vans and teamed up with FEMA have Direct Deposit may switch to the Direct Express® Debit From within NYCHA’s Digital Van, Red Hook West Houses resident Zoraida Cruz ® volunteers to help residents who receives help from a FEMA volunteer to apply for disaster assistance on MasterCard card option at any time. do not have access to a comput- December 5, 2012. For more information about your options or to make a er apply for aid to offset losses 112 residents were assisted with residents who received help in change, call the U.S. Treasury Electronic Payment Solution from the storm. checking on the status of a pre- applying for the FEMA aid by Center at (800) 333-1795 or go to www.GoDirect.org or visit Ms. Cruz sat down with viously filed application or got making use of NYCHA’s Lan- your local federal benefit agency. Have a copy of your most Michele Williamson, a FEMA answers from FEMA on other guage Services Unit, which had recent federal benefit check available for fast service. volunteer from Nebraska, to as- questions. staff on site and available by sess what she might be eligible She Fen Rong, a Red Hook phone. Mr. Rong and the FEMA New Hours for Social Security Field Offices for. After helping Ms. Cruz enter West resident, applied for mon- volunteer assisting him patiently ocial Security field offices across the country now close basic information on FEMA’s ey to recover his family’s losses passed a phone back and forth Sto the public 30 minutes earlier than they used to. For website, Ms. Williamson asked from all of their food spoiling between them while a NYCHA example, a field office that was open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 her a series of questions, such as: after they lost power. “We also Chinese interpreter translated p.m. last year now closes at 3:00 p.m. Also, on Wednesdays “Did you lose any essential had no hot water,” he said everything they said to each offices now close at 12:00 p.m. Call (800) 772-1213 to find services from the storm?” through a translator. “My wife other. “I am very satisfied with out when your local Social Security Office is open. “Yes, for five and a half days.” and I had to take cold showers the process. They were very Say “agent” to speak to a live person. “Did you have any medical, and hand wash our clothes.” helpful. I am very appreciative,” dental or funeral expenses as a Mr. Rong was one of the he said. result of the storm?” “No.” Ms. Cruz was pleased with the assistance she received applying for aid. “I’ll take anything they can give,” she said. “They were very helpful, I know you have to go through a process.” At a total of six Digital Van/ FEMA assistance events, 179 residents received help to apply for disaster assistance; another Internet Free Fulton Houses esidents at Fulton Houses Rin Manhattan are benefitting from being near Internet giant Google’s new offices. The Internet search engine company, whose offices are near the development, recently began providing free public wireless (WiFi) Internet access in the neighborhood. It is a joint venture with the non-profit Chelsea Improvement Co., which allows anyone with a computer in the area to access the Internet for free. “Expanding affordable broadband access in NYCHA communities helps to close the digital divide and also supports NYCHA’s efforts to bring more services online, including the ability to apply for public housing, electronic application for NYCHA-supported jobs, and other enhancements,” said NYCHA Chairman John B. Rhea. The Housing Authority Journal January/February 2013 9

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NYCHA Residents Receive New Furniture Thanks To Generous Donations

Family Services Department find all of her belongings dam- In addition, Loews coordinates the relocation of aged by the flooding and moldy Regency Hotel donated these families (see “NYCHA conditions in her apartment. Ms. more than 2,500 pieces of Outreach Continues to Assist Duran was transferred to Pomo- furniture through The Mayor’s Residents Post-Hurricane nok Houses. Fund to Advance New York Sandy” on page 1), and For Mary Dávila from Ocean City. NYCHA’s Office of provides assistance with Bay Apartments in Queens, Public-Private Partnerships securing furniture and other getting a helping hand from also secured donations from household items by working NYCHA has been an uplifting Sleepy’s, Rent-A-Center and with its partners and donors. experience. When she returned Gothic Cabinets. Sleepy’s Mary Dávila relaxes on her new chair in her Johnson Houses apartment, courtesy Ms. Duran and her family to her apartment two weeks after donated more than $43,000 of donations secured through NYCHA’s Office of Public-Private Partnerships and benefitted from a $55,000 Hurricane Sandy passed, she was worth of beds and Rent-A- Family Services Department for residents affected by Hurricane Sandy. grant from the Robin Hood devastated by the water damage Center donated more than By Zodet Negrón Foundation, secured through and moldy conditions. NYCHA $10,000 worth of furniture, hen NYCHA gave “I was so happy; it was a the Family Services Depart- located a new apartment for including full living room sets “Wme the key to my wonderful surprise.” ment’s partnership with Com- Ms. Dávila at Johnson Houses in and bedroom sets. Gothic new apartment, it was entirely After Hurricane Sandy hit, munity Solutions. She evacu- Manhattan and provided beds for Cabinet donated more than furnished (with new beds, a many NYCHA residents lost all ated from Redfern Houses her and her two children, a dining $6,000 worth of furniture, dining room set, sheets, towels, of their belongings because in the Rockaways before the room set, a sofa and a dresser. “I including beds, mattresses, plates, kitchen utensils and their apartments were flooded. storm with her two children am so appreciative of everything box spring, frames, other household appliances),” Some have relocated to other and stayed with some friends NYCHA has done for me,” said headboards, cribs, cradles, said Mercedes Duran from developments, but they have until it was considered safe Ms. Dávila. “They’ve made dining tables, nightstands Pomonok Houses in Queens. not had to do it alone. NYCHA’s to go back. She returned to everything so easy-going.” and mirrors.

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