NYCHA Development and Services Update

April 6, 2020April 20, 2020 LaToya

Dear Residents:

Thank you for all you have done to keep our NYCHA community and all New Yorkers safe and healthy during this time of crisis.

NYCHA is working 24/7 to ensure that residents receive continuous essential services; to provide you with COVID-19 best practices from national, state and local health officials; and to update you with real-time changes we are making to NYCHA policies and services, based on the information we are receiving.

Please carefully review the following updates.

Services and Suspensions

While all planned heat, hot water and water outages are suspended until further notice, special heating and elevator crews, and other emergency teams, continue to provide 24/7 coverage and repairs.

NYCHA staff will continue to respond to and perform EMERGENCY work orders defined as no heat and hot water conditions, water leaks, gas leaks or smell, flooding conditions, stoppages, electrical issues, interior rat infestations, high severity bed bug or mice infestations, and other hazardous conditions.

NYCHA is also responding to work orders to correct the following specific conditions:

No power in entire apartment
Partial power outages impacting kitchens or bathrooms
No electrical power to life sustaining equipment
Cabinets falling off walls
Stoves or refrigerators not working
Smoke/carbon monoxide detectors not working
Window guard missing/loose
Apartment door not working

We will also respond to work orders related to intercoms and lobby doors, and will provide hot plates to residents without gas.

Additionally, NYCHA is performing certain critical work orders generated as a result of a court order, a commissioner order to abate or other violation, or through our own compliance process.

NYCHA is continuing to enter residents’ apartments to conduct lead remediation, and collect dust wipe samples, only in units in the 92 developments where we presume there is lead based paint and a child under six resides or visits and/or have a positive XRF test result at any development, regardless of having a child under six residing or visits.

We are also conducting mold inspections and, if mold conditions are found, the necessary remediation and repair work. Paint related to mold conditions is suspended.

Furthermore, we are responding to, and follow-up on any interior rat infestations, and previously identified high severity infestations of bed bugs or mice. We have suspended all proactive pest inspections and treatments (including NPII and Targeted Relief) and will only conduct work in common areas and basements as part of our Clean Buildings Initiative.

Residents can call the CCC at 718-707-7771 if they need to request an emergency repair. Trained representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Protections for Residents and Employees

People who do not show symptoms may still be able to spread COVID-19. This week, DOHMH, as well as Federal and State health officials have provided guidance stating that by wearing a face covering, you can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 to other people. A face covering can include anything that covers your nose and mouth, including dust masks, scarves and bandanas.

Therefore, we are advising all NYCHA residents: please wear a face covering whenever you leave your home, and whenever NYCHA staff or other visitors enter your apartment.

NYCHA staff visiting residents’ apartments to perform the above-mentioned services and repairs will also take precautionary measures before entering, including wearing face and other protective coverings, asking residents about their health, and maintaining social distance – six or more feet–from other individuals in the apartment.

Additionally, we strongly recommend that residents also ask staff members about their health, before allowing entrance into their apartments. If any member of the household is not feeling well, NYCHA is requesting that family members remain in a separate room with the door closed, until the repair is completed. If a separate room is not available, we are asking staff and residents to maintain at least a six-foot distance from each other, until the repair is completed.

Staff may also open a window within the unit to increase ventilation during the repair.

If the resident chooses not to allow a staff member into their apartment, or follow these instructions, staff will work with their supervisor to reschedule the appointment.

Please be aware, in some emergencies, NYCHA staff may need to enter anyway, with the assistance of the local NYPD Police Service Area (PSA) or other first responders if a resident is in danger or immediate action is required because of a safety concern such as shutting down a gas line.

We will continue to make COVID-19 information available through emails, telephone calls, robocalls and signage throughout your developments. For more information, please go to www.nyc.gov/nycha, and download MyNYCHA app, to complete your transactions and receive push notifications.

We thank you for your continued cooperation and support. Together we can keep our NYCHA community safe and healthy.