NYCHA Resident Climate Action Grant Winners Celebrated on Governors Island
On April 18, the Public Housing Community Fund (PHCF), The New York Climate Exchange (The Exchange), in partnership with NYCHA, hosted an Earth Week celebration for the 2026 NYCHA Resident Climate Action Grants. The event took place at the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council on Governors Island and celebrated 35 resident-led grant projects advancing sustainability and environmental resilience across NYCHA communities in all five boroughs. The event featured remarks, a borough-by-borough recognition of awardees, and a hands-on project workshop — all as part of The Trust for Governors Island’s island-wide Earth Day celebration.
The Resident Climate Action Grant program supports resident-led climate action and sustainability projects within New York City’s public housing and PACT developments, offering grant funding and technical assistance directly to residents. The program will conclude with the NYCHA Resident Climate Action Grants Showcase during Climate Week in September 2026, where the 35 residents will present their work to combat climate change and promote sustainability.
“Climate Action Grants empower residents to make a real impact in their communities, not only advancing climate justice but equipping them with problem-solving skills and the tools for long-term success,” said Alex Zablocki, Executive Director of the Public Housing Community Fund. “This year’s winning projects span everything from community gardening and composting to improving air quality, showing the many ways we can make a positive impact on our environment. We’re grateful to our partners at The New York Climate Exchange, HSBC, NYCHA, and Governors Island for their support of this year’s cohort and look forward to seeing the grant winners make NYCHA campuses more vibrant and sustainable.”
“NYCHA is immensely proud of these enterprising residents who are taking direct action to build a greener, more resilient future for their developments and our city,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “By investing in grassroots initiatives, we are improving our campuses and fostering a new generation of environmental stewards. We are grateful to our partners at the Public Housing Community Fund, The New York Climate Exchange, HSBC, Trust for Governor’s Island, and NineDot for making this work possible.”
“New York City’s clean energy future requires creative solutions,” said New York City Chief Climate Officer Louise Yeung. “Congratulations to the winners of the 2026 NYCHA Resident Climate Action Grants. These resident-led projects show the spirit and innovation we need to reach the City’s ambitious climate goals. We are excited to see what they can achieve with the funding and grant support they received.
The 35 winners are spread across all five boroughs: 13 from Manhattan, 11 from Brooklyn, five from the Bronx, and three each from Queens and Staten Island. At Mott Haven Houses in the Bronx, Inner City Green Team (a NYCHA resident-led and founded nonprofit) is leading a community-based, door-to-door recycling and zero-waste model, empowering youth and adults to lead waste reduction efforts in their own neighborhoods. At Breukelen Houses in Brooklyn, a community-led project called Justice Blooms is transforming an underused green space into a garden for growing food, supporting native plants and pollinators and providing environmental education. At Manhattanville Rehab, a resident-led tree stewardship and climate resilience initiative is expanding green infrastructure through new planters, tree care, and public art. The 35 resident-led projects cover a wide range of climate initiatives, each tailored to meet the specific needs of their community.
Three tiers of grants were awarded this year, corresponding to project stage and scope: 1) Seed Grants, microgrants up to $1,500, for early-stage ideas or one-time projects meant for grantees who want to test ideas, take first steps, or try something new; 2) Growth Grants, medium-sized grants of up to $5,000, which support more robust or fully formed project ideas, whether new or already underway, that need additional resources, coordination, or capacity to reach their full potential; and 3) Sustain Grants, larger grants of up to $15,000, for existing projects or organizations that have shown impact focused on long-term sustainability and community benefit.
In addition to the grant program, this year the Public Housing Community Fund and The New York Climate Exchange are sponsoring five climate-action murals designed in collaboration with NYCHA residents, artists, and art partners. With a mural in each borough, these efforts represent what climate change and climate impact mean to communities on the front lines of the climate crisis. Partners in the citywide mural project include Thrive Collective, which is leading mural installation at South Beach Houses (Staten Island), Hammel Houses (Queens), and Bracetti Plaza (Manhattan); Artolution, which is leading mural installation at Claremont Consolidated (Bronx); and Beauty at the Surface in Honor of Carol Lee Cephas, Inc. (BATS), which is leading mural installation at Carey Gardens (Brooklyn).
The program launched in 2022, and this fourth cohort expands on the goal of supporting residents in mobilizing their creativity and problem-solving skills to positively impact their communities. This year’s program is funded by Public Housing Community Fund donors, The New York Climate Exchange, Rise Light & Power, HSBC, and NineDot Energy.
The Climate Action Grant program has grown out of NYCHA’s Sustainability Agenda, the Authority’s plan — which is updated every five years — to deliver resident services that integrate sustainability and resiliency. Resident-driven projects supported by the Climate Action Grant program complement Authority-led initiatives by fostering climate awareness and grassroots action. Residents and partners who want to start or help expand a community garden or farm at NYCHA can reach NYCHA’s Farms and Gardens team by emailing gardens@nycha.nyc.gov.
Photo credit: Tameek Williams
