HUD Commends Work of NYCHA’s Lead Hazard Control Team 

NYCHA’s work is being recognized at the federal level for helping to ensure that apartments where children under 6 years old live or routinely visit are being cleared of any lead hazards. 

In a message to NYCHA Healthy Homes management on February 2, a representative of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) thanked NYCHA for its continued support and commended the efforts of the Lead Hazard Control Department in overseeing lead safety for the “largest building portfolio in the nation.” Specifically, the HUD representative praised the work of three members of the Elevated Blood Lead Level (EBLL) Unit: Mike Flores, Assistant Director of Lead Hazard Control; Milytza Diaz-Vega, EBLL Unit Program Manager; and Vincent Medina Estrada, EBLL Unit Program Associate.  

“Mike, Vincent, and Milytza have been responsive and working on processes both intra- and inter-departmentally that ensure resident safety,” said Katharine Trowbridge, a HUD engineer who works on EBLL compliance. “We thank the team so much for the continued responsiveness to HUD and the implementation of measures that improve reporting and ensure completion of lead hazard work.” 

A key part of the Authority’s lead safety team, the EBLL Unit’s responsibilities include notifying residents of required remediation work and risk assessments, assisting residents with any necessary temporary relocations, and coordinating lead abatements and testing to make sure the apartments are cleared of any lead hazards.  

Mr. Flores, a longtime NYCHA employee who has been with Lead Hazard Control since 1996, said he was “humbled” by the HUD recognition of the team’s service.  

“I see the team working hard every day and I really appreciate their hard work,” said Mr. Flores, the EBLL Unit supervisor. “They’re definitely kind words of appreciation for what we do. In 35 years I’ve never received any kind of recognition like that, so I was thrown back.”  

Mr. Medina Estrada was also pleased that his unit was commended by the federal agency, noting it shows that “the hard work is paying off.” 

“We’ve done a lot of work over the past year since I’ve come on board to get up to speed and just do the best job we can,” he said. “We’ve put a lot of time and effort into changing our procedures to be able to better react when we get these cases and do everything in a timely manner.” 

Daniel Greene, Senior Vice President for Healthy Homes, credited the EBLL Unit with excellent work that has helped NYCHA make a “phenomenal turnaround” in improving lead safety for residents.  

“Mike, Milytza, and Vincent have worked diligently to create a highly organized and responsive program to assist families with children living in NYCHA apartments who have been exposed to lead at unacceptable levels,” Mr. Greene said.

Photo caption: Elevated Blood Lead Level Unit employees (from left) Mike Flores, Milytza Diaz-Vega, and Vincent Medina Estrada were recognized for their efforts to improve lead safety at NYCHA.