VOL. 45 NO. 5 AUGUST 2015 INSIDE THIS ISSUE 5 6 9

Eight Miles of Sidewalk Sheds Gone Take the pledge Fix-It-Forward

A JOB AND A VOICE RESIDENTS LAUNCH WORKER Summer Fun in COOPERATIVE IN QUEENS A group of Astoria Houses residents has launched a worker-owned security services business. Called OnPoint the City Streets Security, it is the first-ever worker cooperative launched by and for public housing residents in the This summer, almost 10,000 area. City children had the opportunity to Created with guidance from the have fun in the city streets, when the nonprofit organization Urban Up- Police Athletic League (PAL) closed off bound, whose mission is to “break streets throughout the five boroughs cycles of poverty in public housing for its annual Playstreets. Every neighborhoods,” OnPoint Security year since 1914, PAL Playstreets has currently employs six residents and is provided kids with a safe, supervised in the process of training an addi- space to play sports, do arts & crafts, tional 30 Astoria Houses residents for listen to and play music, and dance positions with the business, accord- during the summer months. This ing to Fritz Vincent, the company’s year, the program ran from July 6 general manager. The business will to August 21 and some of the fun provide security services to buildings, games included double Dutch, tug- night clubs, and businesses providing of-war, skelly, and rock climbing. PAL special events. After six months of Playstreets were held at ten NYCHA employment, employees are able to locations: Monroe, Forest, Brownsville, buy shares in the company and be- Linden, Marlboro, Ocean Bay, Wagner, come part-owners of OnPoint, sharing Grant, Morris, and Mariner’s Harbor. the profits and taking part in running the business. “I think it’s important to be part of an employee-owned organization, because it gives you one of the most important things you can have on a job and that’s a voice—it allows you to give feedback and be heard,” said one of the employees, Dawn Mc. “As a single mother of five, I strive to instill in my children good morals and values that they can use throughout their lifetime. And something I tell them often is ‘always reach for better.’ The goal is to exceed me, so I’m setting the bar high.” At the cooperative’s launch, at (CONTINUED ON PAGE 4)

Members of the OnPoint Security workers’ cooperative at the Doorways to Opportunity launch in July 2015.

FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA LETTER FROM THE CHAIR 100 Percent SUMMER IN THE CITY! Affordable Housing York Small Business Services, New York City Economic Development To Be Built At Corporation, Urban Upbound CAMBA, and Brownsville Partnership, NYCHA residents will 3 Developments receive programs and services, N JULY 1, NYCHA released a developers, including non-profit such as tax preparation, job “Request for Proposals” (RFP) entities and M/WBE firms, to submit placement, and support for new O from potential developers proposals for the design, financing, business start- ups, that will help to expand 100 percent affordable construction, and operations of 100 them earn a decent living and housing opportunities at Ingersoll, Van percent affordable new housing at the save for the future. Dyke and Mill Brook developments. developments. For the purposes of this When I talk about connections, The plan to create affordable senior RFP, affordable is considered a senior I also mean keeping up with and family housing on underused or family household earning less than today’s times. We live in a digital NYCHA property was the outcome of 60 percent of the Area Median Income age and it’s so critical to have an extensive and meaningful planning (AMI). The proposed developments will access to the internet to get a process with hundreds of residents and be 100 percent affordable and seek to job, good grades in school, or community advocates. reach households at lower AMI levels. vital information. More than a “We must use every tool at our NYCHA will retain rights to the third of New York City’s low- disposal to preserve public housing land developed through a long-term income households don’t have and create more affordable housing ground lease, provide critical oversight internet at home. That’s why we’re opportunities for seniors and families to the project, require developers so pleased that President Obama that are trying to make ends meet to train and hire NYCHA residents, and Mayor de Blasio are investing while living in the City they are proud and proactively engage residents in free, high-speed internet to call home,” said NYCHA General on a regular basis as the project NYCHA’S BUSINESS is being access for thousands of Manager Michael Kelly. “By taking moves forward. Additionally, NYCHA a landlord, but we’re more than New Yorkers (see the article on a thoughtful approach to how we residents will have a preference for that – we are a community. page 11). You’ll also read about use NYCHA property, we can create 25 percent of the units. There has been We’re home to 400,000 men, how one resident, a mother of more affordable housing options for an overwhelming response to the RFP women and children, five four, used NYCHA’s Digital Van to residents and New Yorkers.” from potential developers wishing to percent of the City of New York. help her graduate from college. Through the RFP, the City has invited work with NYCHA on this project. We employ 11,000 people, As we think about the future a group bigger than many of NYCHA, it’s important to make small cities. When we were sure our youngest residents developing NextGeneration are provided opportunities NYCHA BOARD NYCHA, our 10-year strategic to become successful adults. plan, I visited dozens of NYCHA This summer, NYCHA youth developments to talk with across the City are working MEETINGS residents and employees as urban planners, mapping YCHA’S BOARD MEETINGS, open to the public, take place on about their ideas and visions their developments to identify Wednesdays at 10 am in the NYCHA 12th floor conference room at 250 for the future of NYCHA. issues that need to be fixed as N Broadway. People who wish to speak during the public comment period Connecting with our residents well as places to play, garden, must pre-register at least 45 minutes before the meeting is scheduled to begin and employees provided the recycle, and shop for food. and may comment about items on that meeting’s agenda only. Each speaker’s vision for our strategic plan: They are helping to improve time is limited to three minutes. The public comment period concludes either safe, clean and connected their community’s quality of when all speakers are finished or after the 30 minutes allotted by law for public communities. As you’ll see, this life through this awesome comment, whichever comes first. issue of the Journal is all about collaboration with the Mayor’s Copies of the calendar for the upcoming board meeting are available on these connections, about the Office of Operations. NYCHA’s website or can be picked up at the Office of the Corporate Secretary, many positive ways we can grow I’m also happy that so many 250 Broadway, 12th floor after 3 pm on the Monday before the meeting. Copies individually and collectively NYCHA youth had the chance of the dispositions of prior meetings are available on NYCHA’s website or can when we work together. We to have some fun before school be picked up from the Office of the Corporate Secretary no earlier than 3 pm on can’t build a better NYCHA starts. Through the Police Athletic the Thursday after the board meeting. Any person requiring reasonable accom- without these relationships to League’s Playstreets, more modation in order to participate in the meeting should contact the Office of the one another. than 10,000 young New Yorkers Corporate Secretary at 212.306.6088 no later than five business days prior to the I’m really inspired by a group had some good, clean, and meeting. For additional information regarding the calendar of meetings, disposi- of Queens NYCHA residents safe fun, while making positive tions, dates and times, please call 212.306.6088. who were empowered to connections with police officers launch a new business, OnPoint in their neighborhoods. UPCOMING MEETINGS: Security, with support from By working together, we September 30, 2015 November 18, 2015 non-profit Urban Upbound. will keep making NYCHA a October 28, 2015 December 23, 2015 OnPoint Security is the first ever better, safer, cleaner, and more * Note: There will be no board meeting in August. The November and worker-owned cooperative by connected place to live. I hope December board meetings are scheduled for the second-to-last Wednesday. and for public housing residents that you and your family enjoy the in New York City. This new rest of the summer! business venture is the result of an important public/private The NYCHA partnership between NYCHA JOURNAL and Citi called Doorways to Opportunity. With $1.4 million in ESTABLISHED 1970 • CIRCULATION 200,000 funding from Citi and the help Shola Olatoye PUBLISHED BY THE NEW YORK CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY from partners including New Chair and CEO DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS 250 Broadway, New York, NY 10007 • Tel 212-306-3322 • Fax 212-577-1358 www.nyc.gov/nycha

2 FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA include, assessments, career counsel- Opening Doors to New Opportunity ing, resumé and interview develop- ment, connections to training, financial tunity for outreach and impact is enor- counseling, screening and referral to mous,” said Eileen Auld, Director of New employment opportunities, and more. York Tri State Market, Citi Community The service will be fully integrated into Development. “By founding this program the Far Rockaway community through on cross-sector partnerships, driven by a strong network of community-based data and designed in response to local organizations, workforce development demands, ‘Doorways to Opportunity’ can providers, training providers, faith- become a replicable model.” based organizations, and social service • Job Placement: Brownsville Partnership agencies. is coordinating a 5,000 jobs campaign • Technology Tools: NYCHA Information as the anchor for several other Technology and NYCHA Office of community services that bring Resident Economic Empowerment On July 16, NYCHA General Manager Michael Kelly told the audience that the new collaboration together partners around the single & Sustainability are launching a new between Citi and NYCHA, “Doorways to Opportunity,” “strengthens the fabric of our communities goal of increasing employment in the technology platform to connect and the entire City” by empowering residents through employment opportunities, financial Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn residents to vetted economic counseling, and entrepreneurship training. by 30 percent. opportunity services. • The creation of a worker-owned • Entrepreneurship Training: Food LAST MONTH NYCHA AND CITI an- New York City Economic Development cooperative business, the first of many, Business Pathways Program, in nounced “Doorways to Opportunity,” Corporation and the NYC Center for Eco- in Hallet’s Point under the direction of partnership with the New York City a multi-partner initiative that provides nomic Opportunity to create a network of Urban Upbound, a nonprofit that works Department of Small Business Services, public housing residents across New York financial support and economic empow- to connect public housing residents Hot Bread Kitchen and Start Small City with access to employment oppor- erment services for NYCHA residents. with the resources to break cycles of Think Big, will enable 90 NYCHA tunities, free financial counseling and “Partners like Citi have played a criti- poverty. (See story on page 1) food entrepreneurs to advance their entrepreneurship training in partnership cal role in helping link our residents with • Financial Capability: University Neigh- businesses through training, coaching, with community organizations. targeted economic opportunities.” said borhood Housing Program has expand- access to free permits and licenses, and Citi Community Development has Michael Kelly, NYCHA’s General Manager. ed its financial capability services to subsidized incubator space. provided $1.4 million in funding to en- “By connecting our residents with the NYCHA residents through its Northwest • Tax & Support Services: NYCHA Office able community organizations includ- tools and programs to empower them- Bronx Resource Center. of Resident Economic Empowerment ing The Brownsville Partnership with selves and their families with financial • Workforce Development: The New York & Sustainability and Food Bank For Community Solutions, Food Bank For stability, we strengthen the fabric of our City Department of Small Business Ser- New York City are expanding NYCHA New York City, Hot Bread Kitchen, communities and the entire City.” vices, CAMBA, and CEO are expanding resident access to free tax preparation University Neighborhood Housing Pro- “NYCHA residents comprise ap- place-based economic empowerment services and SNAP screenings. gram, CAMBA and Urban Upbound to proximately 5 percent of New York City’s and mobility to connect Far Rockaway This partnership has already served collaborate with NYCHA, New York City population, about the number of people residents with high-quality, full-time thousands of NYCHA residents during Department of Small Business Services, who reside in all of Boston—the oppor- employment. Expanded services will the 2014 tax season.

Tracking Changes Where They’re Needed Most NYCHA’s Newest Urban Planners HE FIRST TASK of the day for Nyasia Artest, 20, and Erika T Verdesoto, 21, was to plot the beautifully kept vegetable garden behind Queensbridge House’s community center. It took just an instant to identify the garden with a pink flower icon on their shiny, new electronic tablets; they both years are very enthused about the took another few seconds to note some real-time nature of the tablets and their details, like how collard greens grew in ease of use. one corner, squash in another. Then they “This project touches on all three of marked the location of a recycling bin our major NextGeneration NYCHA goals a few dozen steps away. Although they of ‘safe, clean, and connected commu- know the grounds of North America’s Alan Alvarado from the Mayor’s Office of Operations shows Nyasia Artest (l.) and Erika Verdesoto nities,’” said NYCHA Deputy Director largest development well, since they’ve (r.) how to use mapping software on their tablets to record issues, such as areas in need of repair, Gray. “And we’re especially pleased that lived here most of their lives, this was the at their development. we can empower our youth to partner first time they’ve ever viewed it like this. with us, get inspired to perhaps pursue For a month this summer, 30 NYCHA When we tell them, they’re happy and tury,” said Lauren Gray, the department’s this kind of work in their future, and get residents, ages 16 to 24, armed with Sam- excited about what will come as a result. deputy director. “And we’re making them better connected to their neighbor- sung tablets, are mapping their develop- Looking at doors, elevators, and mail- feel like they can effect positive change hoods today.” ments as part of a collaboration between boxes to make sure they’re working and in where they live,” said Yuet Sim Cheung, These young cartographers are not NYCHA and the Mayor’s Office of Opera- good condition is really important for the the NYCHA staff person who developed only gaining valuable skills and help- tions (MOO). The 15 developments in the people who live here,” Ms. Artest said. the mapping software. ing to improve their communities, but study are identified as suffering from the “Anything they see, we’ll take action to The mappers can even take pictures are also earning some real spending highest crime rates citywide. This sum- make it better,” said Alan Alvarado, the of needed repairs. These photos are geo- money—the initiative is part of the City’s mer, these budding urban planners are quality of life inspector from MOO who is coded, or linked, to the actual locations, Summer Youth Employment Program, using mapping software to identify issues supervising the team at Queensbridge. and that information is sent electronically and they’re making $8.75 an hour. that need to be remedied, such as broken “NYCHA’s Department of Research to NYCHA in real time. At the end of the “My priority is to keep the community doors and graffiti, in their development and Management Analysis is bringing so- program, the participants will present a clean and peaceful,” Ms. Verdesoto said. and the surrounding neighborhood as phisticated mapping technology that pro- summary of their findings. The program “It’s my community and I want to do well as food stores and other retailers and fessional urban planners use to engage has evolved since it started last year, everything possible to help it and make community organizations that could pro- our youth to work with us in improving the when the surveys were conducted using it a better place,” Ms. Artest added. vide resources and support to residents. quality of life at their developments, while the old-fashioned technologies of pen “And now I’m inspired to work at NYCHA “People ask us a lot what we’re doing. providing them a skill set for the 21st cen- and paper. Those who participated in when I graduate!”

FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA 3 Rental Assistance Demonstration Brings Hope to Far Rockaway Residents ORE THAN 200 residents of Ocean Bay/Bayside Apartments M and members of the Far Rocka- way community attended a meeting held by Councilmember Donovan Richards and NYCHA on June 24 to discuss the benefits of HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. RAD enables public housing authorities to Residents of Ocean Bay/Bayside Apartments address fellow residents, community members, convert a select number of their tradition- elected officials, and NYCHA staff at a special meeting held on June 24 regarding HUD’s Rental al public housing units to a project-based Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. Additional meetings at Ocean Bay will be scheduled Section 8 funding stream. throughout the year. NYCHA has recently secured HUD’s approval to convert approximately 1,400 Authority’s overall capital needs by nearly cannot charge more than 30 percent of units at Ocean Bay/Bayside through RAD. $90 million. Ocean Bay/Bayside will have household income for rent. The conversion, which would bring per- capital needs of over $161 million over the Provisions of the program also ensure manent federal funding for the affected come these challenges, we developed next 15 years. that rights of residents who choose to units, would enable NYCHA to rehabili- NextGeneration NYCHA, our 10-year stra- “We can’t afford to do nothing,” said convert to Section 8 will remain in line with tate and preserve the entire 24-building tegic plan to ensure the future of public Councilmember Donovan Richards, who protections for public housing residents. development with 1,389 apartments that housing in New York and to create safe, thanked NYCHA for its efforts to secure Moreover, after one year, all Section 8 are over 50 years old. clean, and connected communities.” additional funding for the development. residents have the option to relocate to In explaining NYCHA’s need for addi- RAD is one initiative to help NYCHA In addition to full rehabilitation of the any Section 8 housing in the nation. tional funding, General Manager Michael attain financial stability as outlined in development and a shift to a more stable “The residents seem to be receptive Kelly remarked, “The path that NYCHA is NextGeneration NYCHA. The federal federal funding stream, the Section 8 con- to the initiative because they know that on now is simply not sustainable for our funding stream provided by RAD for version will ensure permanent affordability it would bring a lot of improvements to residents or our organization. To over- Ocean Bay/Bayside would reduce the for residents in the affected units, which the development,” said Property Man- ager Tabia Heywot. Residents have heard about the kitchen upgrades, bathroom one of Miss Susie’s more than 100 upgrades, new building entrances and Happy 116th Birthday to nieces, nephews, and godchildren. lobby renovations, she said. She said that her aunt has “stated The June 24 meeting is part of a series NYCHA Resident Miss Susie, numerous times that she doesn’t of recent meeting with Ocean Bay resi- believe she is the oldest person in dents. Additional meetings are planned the world. To think, she’s older than to discuss such topics as job opportunities the Oldest Person in the World. six billion people, that’s amazing.” for residents through capital and repair In addition to many family mem- work and the nature of the Section 8 bers, Miss Susie’s large crowd of voucher program. well-wishers included Congressman NYCHA already manages the nation’s Eugene Jeffries, Brooklyn Borough largest Section 8 program, which provides President Eric Adams, politician approximately 220,000 people with fed- Charles Barron and City Council eral Section 8 vouchers. Member Inez Barron, and representa- tives from the Mayor’s Office, Depart- (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1) ment for the Aging, the Brooklyn Urban Upbound’s headquarters in Astoria, Nets, the Brooklyn Cyclones, and NYCHA General Manager Kelly stressed Fidelis Care. She received lots of how a key component of NextGeneration presents: proclamations from vari- NYCHA, the Authority’s long-term ous government offices, numerous strategic plan to become financially stable bouquets of flowers, a personalized and preserve public housing, is its focus jersey from the Nets, and a beauti- on improving how residents are engaged ful birthday cake with some of her in the work of creating safe, clean, and favorite foods on it. Children from connected communities. Millennium’s afterschool program “To do that critically important work,” performed a dance routine and GM Kelly said, “residents need and want Miss Susie, designated the oldest person in the world by Guinness World Records, blows out Greg Kelly, co-host of Good Day to become economically empowered birthday candles surrounded by family, friends, and many well-wishers at her birthday bash on New York, led the partygoers, which and financially stable themselves. July 7 at Vandalia Houses Senior Center in Brooklyn. included many news camera people NYCHA is working to achieve that goal and reporters, in singing Miss Susie by connecting residents to high-quality HEN YOU’RE 116 years To celebrate Miss Susie’s long life happy birthday. programs, services, and opportunities old every birthday is spe- and achievements, a big birthday bash After blowing out her candles (with like the worker co-op, which will enable W cial. For Susannah “Miss was thrown by Millennium Develop- help from her family), Miss Susie told participants to earn a decent living, build Susie” Mushatt Jones, who turned 116 ment, which runs the senior center the crowd, “Thank you. I love you all.” their assets, and save for the future.” on July 6, this year’s birthday celebra- Vandalia Houses. Miss Susie has been Valerie Price, a niece and god- Urban Upbound plans to start a tion was even more special thanks to a resident of Vandalia Houses since the child of Miss Susie spoke about her number of worker-owned businesses an early present from Guinness World residence opened in 1983. aunt has always taken care of the that will employ residents of the Records—the organization declared Chandra Simpson, Miss Susie’s family, “She has a very giving spirit, NYCHA complex in the Hallets Point her the record holder for oldest living niece, came to celebrate the auspi- that’s why she’s alive today—God peninsula, where the group says 47 person in the world. cious occasion with her family. She is has given back to her.” percent of tenants are unemployed or underemployed.

4 FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA Let There Be Light: $80 Million Over Eight Miles of Sidewalk Investment in Shedding Removed Public Safety Lighting to Begin at 15 NYCHA Developments $4.4 Million Project Breaks Ground at Polo Grounds Towers

ON AUGUST 4, NYCHA Chair Shola Olatoye (3rd from r.) was joined by (from l. to r.) NYCHA EVP for Capital Projects Ray Ribeiro; NYCHA General Manager Michael Kelly; Polo Grounds Towers Tenant Association President Barbara Williams; City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito; NYCHA Board Member Victor Gonzalez; and NYCHA Board Member Willie Mae Lewis for At Sheepshead Bay Houses on July 9, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that more than 43,769 feet the groundbreaking of new, energy efficient LED lighting for the entrances, of sidewalk shedding has been removed from NYCHA developments throughout Brooklyn, the walkways and parking areas at the Polo Grounds Towers in Harlem. They were Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens. also joined by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance and other elected officials. The $4.4 million lighting project at Polo Grounds Towers will replace N JULY 9, Mayor Bill de Blasio residents. This common-sense change, the development’s current outdated exterior lighting system, which was and NYCHA Chair Shola championed by Mayor de Blasio, will installed when the buildings were originally built in the late 1960s and does O Olatoye visited Sheepshead help connect NYCHA developments not provide adequate lighting. Bay Houses to announce that over with the surrounding community “Everyone, no matter where they live, deserves to live in a community that’s eight miles—43,769 feet—of sidewalk through limiting the placement of safe, clean, and connected,” said Chair Olatoye. “Today’s ground breaking shedding have been removed from obstructive shedding and scaffolding is laying the foundation for more, better lighting, which is an important NYCHA developments throughout to only those areas where construction component to improve community safety. Together—residents, community the City in an effort to make work is being done,” Chair Olatoye said. members, and organizations—from elected to public safety officials, we can neighborhoods safer and cleaner. NYCHA residents had complained work together to increase the safety and security of our neighborhoods.” “For too long, government ignored for years about the sheds, which The Polo Grounds Towers is part of the Mayor’s Action Plan (MAP) for the needs of NYCHA residents. obstructed visibility, created a sense Neighborhood Safety, an initiative to reduce crime at 15 NYCHA development These unnecessary sidewalk sheds at of danger, and often collected trash. sites. As a partnership between NYCHA, the Mayor’s Office of Criminal developments across the city were a From now on sidewalk shedding will Justice, the NYPD and other city agencies, MAP was launched to target crime vivid, constant reminder of this neglec​​t,” only go up for active construction prevention efforts at the public housing developments that drove 20 percent Mayor de Blasio said. “We committed and will be removed as soon as of NYCHA’s violent crime in 2014. to removing the sidewalk sheds that construction is over. A remaining 9,966 weren’t under active construction last feet of sidewalk shedding at NYCHA year, and we’ve removed over eight developments is supporting safety at miles of sidewalk sheds. Now, when a active construction sites where much- NYCHA resident sees a sidewalk shed needed repairs are currently underway. on their building, it will be a sign of “Not only were they unsightly, they progress—improvements and repairs were a safety issue for our community. coming to their home.” But now that they’re gone we feel less The Mayor and Chair made the vulnerable. The more neighbors that announcement against the backdrop can see who is coming and going, the of the remaining sidewalk shedding at better,” said Sheepshead Bay Resident Sheepshead Bay being removed. In total, Association President Linda Wade. 7,100 feet of shedding, almost 1.5 miles, Also in attendance at the event was removed at the development. were Brooklyn Borough President Eric “The removal of unnecessary Adams, Assembly Member Helene sidewalk shedding addresses a long- Weinstein, and City Council Member term annoyance for public housing Alan Maisel.

Queens Upcoming REES Events GREEN CITY FORCE provides NYCHA residents between the ages of 18-24 Brooklyn Bronx with PAID college prep and job training in the green industry. Applicants must have a High School Diploma/GED and not be enrolled in college for 2015. If selected into the program, participants will receive a bi-weekly stipend and a Manhattan Metrocard. Information sessions will be held at NYCHA REES Office, 787 Atlan- tic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY at 11 a.m.

To RSVP for an information session, contact REES at 718.218.8100. The next scheduled sessions will be held on: 9,233 ft. + 2,084 ft. + 25,914 ft. + 6,448 ft. Monday, August 17, 2015 Monday, August 24, 2015 Monday, August 31, 2015 = 43,769 ft. Monday, September 14, 2015 8 miles of shedding removed since 2014

FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA 5 Smoke-Free at 830 Amsterdam

830 Amsterdam Resident Association President Shirley Williams proudly displays the plaque NYCHA gave residents in celebration of their work to become a smoke-free building. She is joined by (from l. to r.) Otilia Rivera, Co-captain of Resident Watch; Herminia Perez, resident; Cynthia Torres, Correspondence Secretary; Jimmie Macklin, Vice President; and Michelle Lane, Recording Secretary.

ESIDENTS OF 830 Amster- allow smoking in their apartments. It spread support by HUD, American 830 Amsterdam residents including dam in Manhattan have taken does not mean that smokers can’t live Lung Association, American Academy Roger Hayes, Assistant Commissioner R a stand for the health of their in the building or visit residents, but as of Pediatrics, and more. of the NYC Department of Health & families and neighbors by taking a vol- Andrea Mata, NYCHA’s Senior Man- At the celebration, many residents Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and Dr. untary pledge to maintain a smoke-free ager for Community Health Initiatives, were inspired to share how important Maida Galvez, New York City Chapter environment. explains it: “It means that indoor air is they felt going smoke free for their President of the American Academy On May 19, NYCHA staff and cleaner because residents who smoke community and how smoking has of Pediatrics, who emphasized that partners came together to celebrate do so outside of the building where affected their lives, including a man secondhand smoke is especially dan- the residents as the first NYCHA it will not impact the health of family whose smoking worsened his heart gerous for children. 830 Amsterdam building on its way towards eliminating members and neighbors.” Eighty-five condition and woman who lost her resident Atiyya Muhammad spoke on secondhand smoke which can cause percent of households in the building sister to emphysema. Many NYCHA behalf of the younger generation, tell- heart attacks, strokes, and lung have signed the smoke-free pledge, residents suffer from high asthma rates ing her neighbors that even though she cancer, and worsen asthma symptoms. including nine floors where all residents and other diseases such as diabetes, doesn’t smoke being around resident Residents of 830 Amsterdam were have taken the pledge. heart disease, and cancers that are smokers is like picking up the habit. proud of being the first NYCHA Smoke-free housing is a growing impacted by smoking and exposure to Roger Hayes from the DOHMH building to overwhelmingly sign on trend, with many buildings secondhand smoke. talked about how going smoke-free to a voluntary smoke-free pledge. across the city and “What we’re trying to do at 830 can be the first step in helping smokers Going smoke free means that resi- country adopting Amsterdam is become a fam- quit: “One of the things that helps peo- dents who signed the pledge will not rules to reduce ily who really cares about ple break the habit is having all these exposure to where they live, who cares hassles of trying to find a place you can secondhand about their children, who smoke and if you can’t smoke here and smoke, and cares about the air. We you can’t smoke there pretty soon it has wide- want to be that model becomes easier for you to quit.” building who knows Dr. Maida Galvez told residents that that there are certain they accomplished something phe- things that are not nomenal: “When people ask me what’s healthy for us,” Resi- at the top of my list for environmental dent Association Presi- concerns, a safe and healthy home dent Shirley Williams said environment and smoke-free housing is at the event. Ms. Williams at the top of the list. This will go a long was presented with a plaque way to ensuring the healthy develop- that commended residents on ment of children’s lungs and reducing their efforts to “promote community the risk of asthma not only for today’s health by working to reduce exposure generation but for the next generation to secondhand smoke.” as well.” In addition to residents of Douglass, Also present at the celebration many people came out to recognize was Ajamu Brown, who worked with the groundbreaking achievements of residents at 830 Amsterdam and other

6 FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA ✁ Smoke-Free Home Pledge

Living in a smoke-free home promotes healthier hearts and lungs.

There is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke.

Research shows that secondhand smoke does not stay contained within individual apartments and as a result can harm residents in non-smoking apartments.

How to Maintain a Smoke-Free Apartment • Tell everyone you do not allow smoking in your home—family, friends, guests, and caregivers. I, ______, • Post a “Smoke-Free Home” sign on your door or somewhere visible to (Print name) everyone, this will spare you having to tell people one-at-a-time. • Make your whole home smoke-free, not just a couple of rooms! Smoking in another room, opening a window, or using a fan or air filter does NOT protect pledge to protect the health of my family and my neighbors by people. Using candles or air fresheners also doesn’t help. keeping my home smoke-free. I will inform my family, friends and • Remove ashtrays, lighters, and matches from your home. neighbors smoking is not allowed in our home and request those • Have low-calorie or sugar-free gum or candy available as an alternative to who smoke to do so outside the building. smoking. Or try cutting up fresh fruit and raw vegetables for people to snack on. • Be polite but firm. If people must smoke, insist that they do it outside. ______• Thank people for helping you keep your home smoke-free. Let them know (Signature) (Date) you’re rejecting the smoke, not the smoker. • It may take hard work and a little time to get everyone to agree. Don’t give up—you’re doing something important! • Keep your home smoke-free even when no one else is around. Congratulations on making your home smoke-free! Second-hand smoke lingers long after a cigarette is put out. Please note that this is a voluntary pledge and not a legally binding agreement with NYCHA.

Sign and date your pledge, then cut it out and post it where everyone can see it. Be sure to tell your family and friends you’ve pledged to be smoke-free!

Take a photo of you and/or your family with the Smoke-Free Home Pledge and share it with us on Twitter @NYCHA!

developments across NYCHA to states, what you are doing can have a promote health by reducing ripple effect on other places.” exposure to secondhand William DeVoue, a Douglass resident smoke and increasing who served as a Community Health resident access to Leader helping to lead the community- resources for smokers based research at 830 Amsterdam and who want to quit. This has presented on smoking and health work was inspired by and smoke-free housing at a number Why have a smoke-free home? a citywide survey of of community events, said, “If you have NYCHA residents in two smokers on your floor and you’ve It’s harmful to your health and your family’s health: 2012 that found over half been on your floor for 10 years, then • Non-smokers who live with second-hand smoke are more likely to of respondents reported you have 10 years of accumulation in get sick or die from serious illness such as cancer and heart disease. smelling cigarette smoke your house, on your walls, on your pic- • Women who live with second-hand smoke are more likely to have low-birth in their home that came from another tures, on your fridge on your door. So weight babies, pre-term delivery, and miscarriage. apartment or outside. The survey found when it’s put like that, you have to say • When parents smoke babies are more likely to die from Sudden Infant Death nearly three-quarters of all respondents to yourself, I have to do something.” Syndrome (SIDS) and children have more illnesses, including ear infections think some NYCHA developments Want to get involved? Residents and asthma. should be smoke-free. interested in bringing outreach and ed- • Secondhand smoke is especially dangerous for children and harmful to seniors “What you’re doing can affect lives, ucation on smoking and health to their and adults with vulnerable health. you’ve seen residents in this building development can call 212-306-8299 Smoking damages your apartment: who have health issues and this is now or email [email protected]. • Cigarette smoke permanently damages furniture, curtains, rugs, paint, a place that they can actually come Are you a resident who smokes clothing, bedding, books, art, and other items. back to and breathe,” Brown said. and wants to quit? Learn more about • Cigarettes can leave burn marks on furniture and rugs. “NYCHA is the largest public housing available resources by calling 311 • Smoking is a leading cause of fires in the home. authority in the country, what you guys or texting NYC QUITS to 877-877. *adapted from “How to Make Your Home Smoke-Free” bulletin by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. are doing people can do in smaller Information is also available online public housing authorities in other at nyc.gov/nycquits.

FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA 7 BEAUTY AND THE STREET PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL YOUNG

RESIDENTS WILL BE seeing all sorts of colors this summer as new murals adorn the streets of Mott Haven. With the support of a grant from Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education, Bronx Health Reach and NYCHA, Betances Houses were the first to see the art pop off the walls, with two more murals set to be completed soon after. Reflecting the vibrant and diverse community, the mural project stems from “Faces from the Block,” a multicultural collaboration between Brazilian artists Ananda Nahu and Izolag Armeidah and Bronx photographer Ricky Flores, who have been working together for eight years. Eat Smart for a Good Start to the New School Year

healthy diet spells success for than jam and • Switch to skinless chicken and a good start to the new school jellies with extra lean ground beef for sauces A year. Kids who eat well feel added sugar. and main courses, and bake or better and have more energy through- • Apple slices, grill instead of frying. out the day. Here are some tips to sneak and celery and • A great way to cut extra calories for healthy foods into the diets of even the carrot sticks are kids is to use smaller plates—after pickiest eaters and all those children who great snacks, all, if they are smaller than adults, seem to exist solely on junk food. because kids they should eat less than we do! • The best way to begin the day is with can carry a high protein, low sugar breakfast. them in their Check cereal labels for the sugar backpacks all and fiber content, and consider day long—sprinkle a little lemon alternatives: low fat yogurt, nuts, fruit, juice on them to keep them from maybe an egg. turning brown. • You can serve frozen and canned • Serve water and flavored seltzer fruits and vegetables in additional to instead of beverages with added fresh—they all count towards those sugar. Leave bottles of water on the all-important five servings of fruits counter or table and your kids really and veggies a day. will drink them. • Look for lean lunch meats and low • Mixing vegetables into favorite fat cheeses, plus all natural peanut dishes is an easy way to add butters and whole fruit spreads rather vegetables to childrens’ diets. Try adding peas into sauces and casseroles, and adding cucumbers or zucchini slices to sandwiches. • Switch to low or non-fat milk, yogurt and cheese.

8 FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA NextGeneration NYCHA: Fix-It-Forward Common Sense Solutions to Repairs and Maintenance

IN JULY, GENERAL Manager Michael Kelly announced “Fix-It-Forward,” common-sense initiatives to decrease response times and increase the customer satisfaction. “Our track record on maintenance and repairs has been poor—period,” said GM Kelly. “While funding continues to be the primary obstacle for fully addressing maintenance and repair issues in NYCHA’s aging buildings, inefficient procedures have also caused residents to experience unnecessary delays in maintenance and repair work. We’ve listened to resident concerns and feedback from our field staff, and we’re hopeful these measures will address those delays.” Fix-It-Forward includes immediate measures and long-term strategies outlined in the NextGeneration NYCHA plan to fundamentally change the way the Authority manages repair requests and processes. The meaningful changes included PROBLEM: in Fix-It-Forward are intended to increase efficiency, provide a more timely sequencing of work, decrease wait times and Mold continues to be an issue. most importantly, enhance customer service. Operation strategies are being piloted in several test developments and best practices will be assembled to implement across all developments. SOLUTION: Capital Repairs & Revised Procedures PROBLEM: PROBLEM: The City is investing $300 million in a Complex repair projects have Minor repairs should not roof replacement program over the unnecessary delays. take as long as they do. next three years, which will enable NYCHA to complete repairs at the SOLUTION: SOLUTION: worst roofs in the portfolio, address- One Call Real-Time Repairs ing one of the primary causes of Complex repair projects typically Instead of scheduling mold. NYCHA has systematically require multiple components (for individual work orders for each changed how mold is handled, with a example plumbing, carpentry, plas- minor repair, which is inefficient and greater emphasis on determining the tering, and painting) and require an time consuming for both residents root cause which leads to mold, in- individual work order to be opened and workers who must schedule stead of superficial repairs that don’t for each part of the job, since each multiple visits, all repairs can occur address the underlying problem. task requires a specialized trade in real-time, when an apartment is In collaboration with the New York and skill. Currently, only one skilled inspected. Simple repairs, such as City Department of Mental Health & trade work order may be opened smoke detectors, window guards, Hygiene, NYCHA engaged envi- at a time for a repair project, which and minor plumbing repairs, and ronmental scientists from Rutgers leads to unnecessary delays be- more complex repairs requiring skill University and Hunter College to tween open and closed work tickets trades or vendors will be scheduled help design new training programs. related to a project. The One Call with the residents in real-time. Real- NYCHA has trained more than 350 PROBLEM: initiative will allow residents and Time Repairs launched in June in supervisors in mold remediation. Wait times between individual property managers to schedule the developments of Mott Haven, Supervisors have trained staff in the repairs on a single project all necessary components of a Seth Low and Woodson, impacting field to improve staff competency take too long; multiple requests repair project with ‘one call.’ This 1,936 apartments. In August this on how to address the root cause have to be made for repairs. program will allow operations to initiative will be deployed at (leaking roof/pipes, moisture build plan complex repairs with residents 15 additional developments: up in the bathroom, etc.) Revised SOLUTION: when the request in initiated, not Tilden Houses, Unity Plaza, procedures instituted in June; roof Real-Time Dispatching follow-up as parts of the repair are Langston Hughes, Butler Houses, repairs to 66 buildings across the City & MYNYCHA App completed. One Call is to launch Morris, Linden, Fulton Houses, with the highest numbers of main- Tracking and reporting repairs and in August at the developments of Chelsea, Marcy Houses, Pink tenance repair requests such as leak work order completion in real-time Patterson, Mott Haven, Mitchel, Houses, Whitman, Pomonok, repairs, painting and mold, started at through dispatch communications, Mill Brook and Melrose, impacting Ravenswood, LES Manhattan, the Queensbridge Houses in June, instead of through paper work slips. 6,794 apartments. and Douglass Houses. impacting 3,147 apartments. Data and notes are entered into the repair database in real-time, which enables the dispatcher to schedule necessary follow-up work orders PROBLEM: on-the-spot and to call residents Perception that data and metrics on work orders aren’t real. to verify if the appointment was missed. The response time for SOLUTION: emergency repairs is expected Enhanced Performance Measures to be faster, because the location For too long, the number of outstanding work orders has been of workers will be known in real- the sole measure of performance. NYCHA is working to reorient time, enabling the dispatcher to performance-based measures to the total time to complete an deploy the closest worker as a first entire repair, or service time. NYCHA will also communicate responder. The MYNYCHA app performance results by posting the OPMOM balanced will enable residents to create, scorecard that tracks metrics and performance submit, view, schedule/reschedule at a property in the key areas of operations, and update inspections and including maintenance and emergency maintenance service requests 24 service levels, budget, customer service hours a day, 7 days a week. Real- and resident satisfaction. With a local- time dispatching launched in June ized property management model and at Woodside Houses and next in use of the balanced scorecard, NYCHA Brownsville Houses impacting 2,695 will be better equipped to isolate and apartments; the MYNYCHA app is report on each development’s metrics. in testing and is scheduled to be Scorecards to be launched in the fall. launched at the end of the summer.

FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA 9 $149 $60 Annual Membership for NYCHA Residents A fun, affordable option for transportation or fitness! Thousands of bikes available at hundreds of stations. Coming soon to more of Brooklyn & Queens.

Descuento disponible para Sign up residentes de NYCHA today! NYCHA居民可享受折扣

NYCHA Workers Protected By State Safety Law For more information on Citi Bike pricing, West nile ad r2 outlines.pdf 1 6/23/15 3:16 PM LIKE FIRE FIGHTERS and police officers, NYCHA employees are public ser- locations, and how to get your NYCHA discount: vants who take their job responsibilities very seriously. Property management staff works hard to keep NYCHA developments and facilities clean, safe and West nile ad r2 outlines.pdf 1 6/23/15VISIT 3:16 PM OR CALL well-maintained. And, like fire fighters, police officers and other public -ser citibikenyc.com/nycha 1-855-BIKE-311 vants, NYCHA employees receive special protections under the law. Any individual who physically assaults any NYCHA employee may be charged with violent felony and receive a sentence of up to one year in prison. Legisla- tion passed last year provides NYCHA staff with the same deterrents to assault that protect NYPD and MTA workers, and state crossing guards. The legislation was sponsored by Assembly Member Joe Lentol (D-Brooklyn) and State Senator Andrew Lanza (R-Staten Island). “All employees deserve to be safe and respected in the workplace,” says Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye. “The Mayor, NYCHA leadership and the Team- sters worked together to get this bill approved in Albany. It is an example of what can be achieved when we work as one for a common goal. I want to thank the Legislature and Governor for recognizing the important work that our front- line staff does every day.” “NYCHA employees are on the front line of efforts to protect and care for pub- lic housing residents and they deserve this increased protection,” said Teamsters Local 237 President Gregory Floyd, who advocated forcefully for the legislation. “Now the hard working employees at NYCHA who make so many sacrifices for others can feel more secure working at housing developments throughout city.”

All About That Grill: Summer Grilling Safety NOW THAT SUMMER is here you may be looking to fire up the grill at your next family gathering. While grilling is a popular way to cook food, it comes with an increased risk of home fires and injuries. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an average of 8,000 home fires are caused by grilling, and close to half of all injuries involving grills are due to thermal burns. Learn how to grill safely before you throw one on the barbie with these NFPA tips: • Only use propane and charcoal grills outdoors; • Keep young children and pets away from the grill area; • Never leave a lit grill unattended; • Maintain a clean grill by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill; and • Keep the grill away from your home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches. Protect your family and home this summer! Get more facts about grilling safety with this public service announcement from the U.S. Fire Administration. *From the National Fire Protection Association

10 FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA ConnectHome: Five NYCHA Developments Join National Effort to Provide Digital Broadband Access to Everyone

ON JULY 16, HUD Secretary Julian Castro, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, Maya Wiley, Counsel to the Mayor, and New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark Viverito joined NYCHA Chair Shola Olatoye at East Side House Mott Haven Community Center to announce an historic in- vestment in free, high-speed broad- band service for more than 16,000 New Yorkers living in five public housing developments in Queens, Brooklyn and . The initiative, led by the Office of the Mayor’s Counsel in partnership with DoITT and NYCHA, will invest up to $10 million dollars for the five develop- ments, starting with a demonstration project that will bring wireless access to the 7,000 residents of NYCHA’s Queensbridge North and Queens- bridge South Houses, which together On July 16, NYCHA Chair Shola Olatoye was joined by HUD Secretary Julian Castro, Mayor Bill de Blasio, Counsel to the Mayor Maya Wiley, and make up the largest public housing New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark Viverito to announce that free, high-speed broadband service would be provided to more than development in the nation. 16,000 residents in five NYCHA developments. The announcement comes in conjunction with ConnectHome, nized for its commitment to aggressively serve low-income residents. Through residents, who include more than a bold new initiative by President expand affordable access to broadband, ConnectHome, my administration will be 100,000 children, have lacked access Obama to bring together internet including the wireless corridors. able to deepen our private partnerships to the benefits that the wireless service providers, non-profits and the “President Obama has been a tireless and leverage our public investment in broadband Internet provides,” said private sector to offer broadband ac- leader for universal broadband,” said universal, affordable broadband for hard NYCHA Chair and CEO Shola Ola- cess, technical training, digital literacy Mayor Bill de Blasio. “And Secretary working New Yorkers who struggle to toye. “Today, thanks to the vision of programs, and devices for residents Castro, a former mayor himself, knows support their families and desperately our President and our Mayor and the in HUD-assisted housing units. New firsthand the importance of solving need broadband.” commitment of our partners to equal York City—one of 27 cities which won income inequality. HUD has long “NYCHA’s vision for the families opportunity for all New Yorkers, the HUD’s competition to participate in been a critical partner, supporting the who live in our communities is one digital divide between NYCHA and ConnectHome—has been recog- City’s ability to survive disaster and that is safe, clean and connected. Our the rest of our City begins to close.” Taking the Digital Van to Success EVERY OTHER TUESDAY like clock- work, the NYCHA Digital Van visits Forest Houses and every other Tuesday Marsha Robinson is there, too, ready to use one of the van’s laptops and free Wi-Fi. Robinson, a mother of four children and resident of Forest Houses for the past 10 years, has been using the Digital Van for two years. She has used the van to update her résumé but mainly uses it to complete homework for her online college courses. “I’m very proud to say that being able from Monroe College with an Associate’s to use the Digital Van has helped me ad- Degree in Medical Assisting. She is both vance my education,” Ms. Robinson said. excited and prepared to continue her “I want to thank NYCHA for the Digital education and is enrolled in the bach- Van, for providing an important resource elor’s degree program at Monroe College Forest Houses resident Marsha Robinson credits the NYCHA Digital Van with helping her achieve to residents so that we have access to for healthcare management. her educational goals. For the past two years Ms. Robinson has used the van to complete her opportunities and advancement.” Currently, she is studying for finals in college coursework and graduated with an Associate’s Degree from Monroe College in July. The van assists NYCHA residents, like her summer online class and in the fall will Robinson, who don’t have computers or continue classes on campus at Monroe “NYCHA created the Digital Van Project Manager for Information Tech- access to broadband high-speed Inter- College. She says, “It’s great to know that program in order to help residents make nology, said. “I was so happy to hear net service. The two digital vans come I’ll be able to head down to the Digital progress in their lives, be it to create a that the Digital Van had helped equipped with eight laptops, wireless Van every other Tuesday to do my online résumé, search and apply for jobs, do Ms. Robinson in her goal to obtain a Internet access, and printers and oper- coursework to help me complete my homework and so much more that can college degree. Congratulations!” ate throughout the five boroughs from degree.” She added that the van staff has often only be done over the Internet, To view the Digital Van schedule, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. been very helpful, even helping her type and on a computer rather than on a visit http://www1.nyc.gov/site/nycha/ On July 9, 2015, Robinson graduated when she injured her hand. smartphone,” Diane Chehab, NYCHA’s residents/adults.page

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