Making a Difference

Meet Maritza Andrades, Housing Manager at Parkside Houses

As part of a new series, we’re periodically featuring the female property managers who help NYCHA carry out its mission to better serve residents and strengthen our partnership with them. NYCHA supports and encourages women in leadership positions in all departments, including property management. Currently, there are 260 women working as property managers at the Authority. In this installment, meet one of them – Maritza Andrades.

Maritza Andrades is a long-time NYCHA employee who has been with the Authority for 25 years. Since starting out as a receptionist, she has also held positions as a bookkeeper, housing assistant, and assistant manager. She is now a housing manager at Parkside Houses in the Bronx, overseeing a staff of 38 who serve 879 households.

“I enjoyed all of it, I learned a lot,” said Ms. Andrades. “Each title I went through (including receptionist) had a different task, but each time I took my experience and knowledge to the next position. I learned about every job in the management office. Now, when I am leading the development, I know how to manage all the various roles here.”

Ms. Andrades has not only worked in different positions within the management office but has also been in residents’ shoes. Years ago, Ms. Andrades was a NYCHA resident herself: She used to live in the same development she manages now for a short period of time.

“Being a resident once helps me in my current job,” Ms. Andrades noted. “I know both sides, being a resident and being a manager, and that’s why I help so much. Most of all, I like helping residents. When I came here, a lot of apartments needed repairs, and I did what I could to get the repairs done as quickly as possible. If there is something in my power I can do for my residents, I will – and I enjoy doing that.

“I believe in treating people the same way you want to be treated,” she said. “To show how much we care, I often interact with residents, talk to them, listen to their needs, and try to help them in any way I can.”

Ms. Andrades was selected to be a mentor in the Bronx Property Management mentoring program. She will go to other developments in the borough, teaching organizational and managerial skills and giving advice for more effective management.

“Patience is the most important skill to have if you work with residents: Patience and understanding of the residents’ needs,” Ms. Andrades noted.