First-Class U.S. Postage Paid New York, NY Permit No. 4119 NYCHA Vol. 43 No. 8 www.nyc.gov/nycha October 2013 New Members Join NYCHA Board Change in Board Structure Takes Effect and Adds More Resident Representation YCHA now has seven Board Mem- Nbers. Diahann Billings-Burford, Beatrice Byrd, Kyle Kimball and Willie Mae Lewis have joined Chairman John B. Rhea and reappointed Board Members Victor A. González and Emily Youssouf. Mayor Michael Bloomberg appointJourna- l ed the new board following legislative changes – proposed by the Bloom- berg Administration – that allow the Mayor to reconstitute the board with a full-time chairman and six members, including three residents. The previous structure had three salaried positions and one resident. “Despite the many challenges that have resulted from severe cuts in federal The members of the newly structured NYCHA Board are, from left to right, Kyle Kimball, Willie Mae Lewis, Emily Youssouf, Chairman John B. Rhea, Diahann funding to public housing, we are de- Billings-Burford, Beatrice Byrd and Victor A. González. termined to preserve and improve the the backlog of repairs and maintenance the six members are appointed for time on September 25 – the Board now homes of the more than 600,000 New requests, while also implementing fixed terms of one, two or three years. will meet a minimum of 10 times per year. Yorkers who live in NYCHA facilities,” PlanNYCHA, which includes creative, After the initial terms, all appointees will At the September meeting, Reginald said Mayor Bloomberg. “With this new revenue-generating ideas that will ben- serve three years. The Chair position will Bowman, the Chairman of the City- governance model in place, NYCHA efit residents.” continue to serve at the pleasure of the wide Council of Presidents, said, “We can continue making progress reducing As initial members of the new Board, Mayor. The new Board met for the first continued on page 2 INSIDE Message from the Chairman THIS ISSUE several years ago. The refinancing will save NYCHA approximately $3 million, and give the Authority greater financial flexibility and more favorable terms on the newly issued bonds. Repairs already have begun at Kings- borough Houses and Kingsborough Extension in Brooklyn. Another 22 additional developments will have work started soon. Repairs to brick façades, As we outlined in Plan NYCHA, our roofs and other structural elements will efforts to preserve public housing help address underlying conditions that require creative strategies to raise funds can be the cause of many of our ongo- NYCHA SENIORS GET HEALTH for much-needed capital repair work. In ing maintenance issues. In addition, once CHECK-UPS, keeping with this commitment, along we complete these repairs, we can move Learn About Green Living, at Annual with our City and State partners, I am ahead on improving elevators, bath- Benefits Fair » see page 5 pleased to share with you that our latest rooms, kitchens and intercoms, as well as Kingborough Extension is one of the first developments that will have repairs done bond deal has generated approximately heating, plumbing and electrical systems. with the $732 million in funding obtained by KEMBA WALKER COMES $732 million for repairs at NYCHA All of this work on behalf of NYCHA NYCHA through a new bond issuance. HOME: developments across the city – the larg- families reaffirms NYCHA’s core promise NBA Star Helps Fix B-ball Court » see page 7 est bond proceeds ever raised for public of providing safe, affordable housing in a the quality of life for 140,000 families. housing authority capital funds. What state of good repair. It also continues our In 2012 alone, we successfully invested NYCHA RESIDENTS/CUNY does this mean to NYCHA residents? commitment to maintain and preserve nearly $500 million in making capital STUDENTS Basically, nearly $500 million of this public housing in New York City, while improvements to our housing stock. Recognized for Stellar Academics money will fund repairs to building many other public housing authorities This bond deal continues our track » see page 8 exteriors and systems at NYCHA devel- across the country are demolishing their record of strong management and com- opments – improving quality of life for buildings. Over the past three years, petent spending. With the limited funds EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS approximately 32,000 residents. NYCHA has made approximately $1.5 we do get, NYCHA consistently meets UPDATE: Most of the remaining money billion in capital investments, including all of the federal Department of Hous- NYCHA Efforts Continue as Sandy will refinance – at lower cost – exist- $423 million in federal stimulus funding ing and Urban Development (HUD)- Anniversary Approaches » see page 6 ing bonds that funded capital projects for capital improvements that enhanced mandated continued on page 2 2 October 2013 The Housing Authority Journal NYCHA Residents’ Voices September 19, 2013 September 13, 2013 Board Meetings (from new bond announcement news release) (via mail) otice hereby is given that the New York City Housing I am looking forward to the results of this financing plan, also I am writing about our NAuthority’s Board Meetings take place as announced on suggested and promoted by the resident leaders, and the City- Caretaker, Lydia Rivera. Miss Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. in the Board Room on the 12th floor wide Council of Presidents. I am pleased this collective approach Rivera is a dedicated em- of 250 Broadway, New York, NY (unless otherwise noted). to funding capital projects is moving forward to continue to do ployee. She maintains our The next Board Meeting is scheduled for October 23, 2013. the much needed work that will lead to something that residents area and buildings as if it were Any changes to the schedule will be posted in the Journal are looking forward to – better buildings and facilities for their her own home. All the tenants and on NYCHA’s website at www.nyc.gov/nycha to the extent comfort and enjoyment. love her and respect her. practicable at a reasonable time before the meeting. Reginald H. Bowman, Chairman, Maria Rodriguez, Pelham These meetings are open to the public. Pre-registration Citywide Council of Presidents, Seth Low Houses Parkway Houses at least 45 minutes before the scheduled Board Meeting is required by all speakers. Comments are limited to the items Tell us what is on your mind! on the Calendar. Speaking time will be limited to three Residents’ Voices accepts The Journal reserves the right Send a snail mail to: minutes. The public comment period will conclude upon letters, photographs, poems, to edit all content for length, NYCHA Journal all speakers being heard or at the expiration of 30 minutes drawings – anything that allows clarity, good taste, accuracy, etc. Letters to the Editor allotted by law for public comment, whichever occurs first. you to express yourself! Because of space limitations, we 250 Broadway, 12th floor must limit all contributors to one New York, NY 10007 Copies of the Calendar for an upcoming meeting are Please include your full name, letter per person per issue. Send a Tweet on Twitter at available on NYCHA’s website at www.nyc.gov/NYCHA, or development name, address and phone number. We will print only There are many ways to share twitter.com/NYCHA_Housing can be picked up at the Office of the Corporate Secretary at your name and development your thoughts with us at the Post a message on Facebook at 250 Broadway, 12th floor, New York, NY, no earlier than 3:00 on our pages; we need your Journal: www.facebook.com/NYCHA address and phone number for p.m. on the Monday before the upcoming Wednesday Board Send an e-mail to Send a fax to 212-577-1358 verification purposes only. [email protected] Meeting. Copies of the Dispositions of prior meetings are If you have any questions, Please limit written submissions available on NYCHA’s website or can be picked up at the please send them to to 250 words. Office of the Corporate Secretary no earlier than 3:00 p.m. [email protected]. on the Thursday after the Board Meeting. Any person requiring a reasonable accommodation in order continued from page 1 Beatrice Byrd is the former and became deeply involved in to participate in the Board Meeting should contact the Office New Members Join President of the Red Hook West her community. She has worked of the Corporate Secretary at 212-306-6088 no later than NYCHA Board Houses Resident Association. for the Department of Educa- five business days before the Board Meeting. are looking forward to being Previously, Ms. Byrd served in tion since 1989, currently at P.S. For additional information regarding Board Meeting Calen- partners with this new manifesta- various capacities in the New 197, just a few blocks from her dars, Dispositions, dates and times, please call 212-306-6088. tion of the NYCHA Board. This York City school system, includ- home. Ms. Lewis also is a deeply day represents a milestone in this ing as an eighth grade English involved supporter of the new agency in making progress to- and Social Studies teacher; an Harlem Children’s Zone Promise ward better representation for Assistant Principal; and a Neigh- Academy Charter School at St. Check out NYCHA’s Facebook page! the people who live in public borhood Literacy Coordinator for Nicholas Houses, where she ot a web-enabled smartphone? Now you can access NYCHA’s housing.” Community School District 15. serves as a member of the board GFacebook page and bonus content in this issue by scanning Chairman John Rhea remains Kyle Kimball is the President of directors. or taking a snapshot of the QR codes.