Residents: Apply for a Climate Action Grant! 

NYCHA residents interesting in combatting climate change in their communities can now apply for up to $5,000 to implement community projects addressing climate action and sustainability through the Resident Climate Action Grants program.  

The Resident Climate Action Grants program is spearheaded by the Public Housing Community Fund (The Fund). Now in its third year, the program was launched and expanded thanks to funding from Con Edison. This year, the Fund has partnered with The New York Climate Exchange (The Exchange), an organization dedicated to developing and implementing climate solutions. The Exchange will help facilitate the program and provide technical assistance and support.  

The application is open from now until Sunday, March 23, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eligible NYCHA residents 18 or older can apply for up to $5,000.  

“The NYCHA Resident Climate Action Grants Program empowers residents to take action on sustainability and climate resilience, ensuring that voices and solutions shape a more equitable and sustainable future for public housing communities,” said Public Housing Community Fund Executive Director Alex Zablocki. “We are proud to continue this initiative alongside The New York Climate Exchange and NYCHA, and we look forward to seeing the innovative projects that will emerge from this year’s grantees.” 

Winners of the 2025 Resident Climate Action Grants will be celebrated on April 19 on Governors Island at an event sponsored by Rise Light & Power and supported by The Exchange’s extensive and diverse partner network.  

“The New York Climate Exchange is excited to partner with the Public Housing Community Fund and NYCHA to bring resident-led climate solutions to life in communities across New York City,” said Vicki Cerullo, Director of Urban Engagement at The New York Climate Exchange. “Residents know their communities best, and their ideas are critical to building a healthier, more sustainable New York City. We look forward to surfacing bold ideas through this challenge and leveraging the power of our Exchange partner network to support impactful climate action, with the potential to scale.” 

Past grantees’ projects included programming related to recycling, community gardening, tree planting, and beautification. (Read more about the residents who won grants in 2023 and 2024.) 

“We are thrilled to support NYCHA residents wishing to lead the way on climate action in their communities,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “By empowering them to spearhead climate and sustainability projects, we’re addressing environmental challenges while investing in stronger, healthier neighborhoods.” 

For residents interested in learning more about the application process, two virtual information sessions will be held covering strategies to craft a strong application and tips on what makes a project stand out as impactful and aligned with the program’s goals. Each session will conclude with an opportunity to ask questions: 

February 25, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. – register here 

March 13, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. – register here 

If you have questions, please email climate@communityfund.nyc.