Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 19, 2019

CONTACT: media@nycha.nyc.gov

NYCHA ACTIVATES SITUATION ROOM TO RESPOND TO EMERGENCIES DURING DANGEROUS HEAT WAVE

Authority staff prepares for extreme heat with strategic preparations, including increased staffing and pre-positioned generators citywide.

NEW YORK – The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) announced today that it has activated its Situation Room to centralize its efforts in advance of the dangerously hot temperatures expected through late Monday.  

As with previous extreme weather-related events this year, the Authority will mobilize staff and resources to better respond during this weekend’s heat wave. NYCHA is increasing staffing levels across the city through late Monday, July 22 to be ready for any interruptions, including electrical service and elevators. Staff will also monitor NYCHA-operated cooling centers and air conditioning service at community centers on NYCHA property.

“NYCHA staff is prepared to respond to any service interruptions and provide assistance to residents during this heat wave,” said NYCHA General Manager Vito Mustaciuolo. “We continue to ask our residents to report any issues by either using the MyNYCHA app or calling the Customer Contact Center at 718-707-7771 so that we can better respond to any interruptions.”

NYCHA prepared for this weekend’s anticipated high temperatures by:

• Increasing the number of skilled trades staff – including electricians, plumbers, and carpenters – who are on call to assist with response;
• Strategically positioning NYCHA’s emergency generators for quick deployment if any development experiences an extreme service interruption;
• Opening eight cooling centers across the city to assist NYCHA residents through Monday, July 22. The centers will be open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m and Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.:
  • Highbridge Senior Center and Soundview Senior Center in the Bronx;
  • Brownsville Senior Center, Glenmore Senior Center, and Langston Hughes Senior Center in Brooklyn;
  • Lincoln Senior Center and Taft Senior Center in Manhattan; and
  • Bland Senior Center in Queens.

The Authority also triggered its Incident Command System (ICS) and Situation Room in Lower Manhattan, where personnel from departments such as Emergency Management; Operations; Maintenance, Repair, and Skilled Trades; Community Engagement & Partnerships; and Capital will centralize NYCHA’s efforts as well as coordinate response and resources.

First introduced in 2018, the Situation Room enables NYCHA staff to respond faster during emergencies. The Authority improved its response times during the 2018-2019 heating season, resolving heat and hot water service interruptions within 9 hours on average, compared to 23 hours on average the prior year.

The improvements are in line with the Authority’s and the de Blasio administration’s commitment to enhancing NYCHA’s response to heat- or extreme weather-related issues, through increased staffing, improved resident communications, and investments in infrastructure.

NYCHA residents experiencing issues at their developments should create a work order by using MyNYCHA online or calling the Customer Contact Center at 718-707-7771.

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About the New York City Housing Authority
NYCHA’s mission is to increase opportunities for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers by providing safe, affordable housing and facilitating access to social and community services. Over 390,000 New Yorkers reside in NYCHA’s 316 public housing developments and PACT/RAD developments formerly managed by NYCHA around the five boroughs. Over 190,000 receive subsidized rental assistance in private homes through the NYCHA-administered Section 8 Leased Housing Program. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/nycha, and for regular updates on NYCHA news and services, connect with us via www.facebook.com/NYCHA and www.twitter.com/NYCHA.