Q&A
Inefficiencies in NYCHA operations and potential improvements
0:16:43
·
3 min
Neil Barofsky discusses inefficiencies in NYCHA operations and potential improvements, while acknowledging the need for additional funding.
- Emphasizes that efficiency improvements do not negate the need for additional capital funding
- Examples of inefficiencies: low success rate in accessing apartments for repairs, workers not showing up or not working full days
- Potential improvements: better resident communication to increase repair completion rates, investment in IT for automation and improved communication
- Highlights the recurring problem of residents taking time off work for repairs that don't happen
Chris Banks
0:16:43
Thank you.
0:16:44
In your first report, you say that the lack of funding is often pointed at at as the main challenge facing Nitro.
0:16:53
But that Nitro can make up for the change in funding to organizational and efficiency improvements.
0:17:00
Well, I do think that Nietra has been underfunded by all levels of government, and we should dictate more funds to Nietra.
0:17:10
Can you give us 1 or 2 examples of the type inefficiencies that you think nature can take advantage of?
Neil Barofsky
0:17:17
Sure.
0:17:18
And I really I wanna say how much I I I we agree with you, chairman, like, To say that Nitro can become more efficient is not to, in any way, take away from the fact the desperate need for additional capital funding.
0:17:31
Right?
0:17:31
These buildings are way past that are used by date, and there's a lot more can be done within the existing budget, but the existing budget will never be enough to get the level of that is necessary and that the residents deserve.
0:17:46
So we agree with that.
0:17:47
But one example I would say is the one I just used.
0:17:50
When if if someone is going to go out on their day and to to to do a number of of repairs
Chris Banks
0:17:58
Right.
Neil Barofsky
0:17:59
And they can only get in 11 out of 6.
0:18:01
Well, gee, if you get them 2 out of 6, you just doubled their productivity.
0:18:05
Can get into 3 out of 6 apartments, you've tripled it.
0:18:08
And so, these are the types of things that we're looking at.
0:18:12
We've had anecdotal evidence of workers who aren't showing up to a job or not working a full day or, you know, aren't performing at the level that's necessary.
0:18:21
Again, if you can if you can get the most out of the workers and employees, you know, so that there that that too will create more efficiencies within the existing budget.
0:18:32
I think those are the types of things.
0:18:33
And then the investment in IT.
0:18:35
Right?
0:18:35
Because, you know, the IT reform when it whether it comes to resident communication, whether it comes to fully automating some of the behind the scenes work and paperwork, that's also gonna create more efficiency.
0:18:46
You're gonna get more bang for your buck.
0:18:48
I think those are some of the areas that we're focused on.
Chris Banks
0:18:51
But you would agree that there's been scenarios or situations where residents have taken off from work, and there's been a no show by the by nature.
Neil Barofsky
0:19:04
Absolutely.
0:19:05
It is a it is a recurring problem that we hear
Chris Banks
0:19:08
constantly.
0:19:09
Yes.
Neil Barofsky
0:19:10
Anecdotally, it is something that we there are certain things that when we we meet with residents and talk to residents that always come up.
0:19:18
And in fact, we were actually visiting development and the I think it was the vice president of the of the of the Tenet Association we were meeting with.
0:19:26
She had taken the day off from work and for a leaky, you know, her had a a leak underneath her sink.
0:19:33
And Mhmm.
0:19:35
As we were meeting with the property manager, she mentions, yeah, I took off from work today and no one ever showed.
0:19:40
And, like, it's it's it you know, so we witnessed it, Matt and I witnessed it that day.
0:19:46
It is a recurring problem.
0:19:47
We're gonna work with Nitro.
0:19:48
We're talking about doing analytics so we can get, you know, a true understanding of the scope of the problem.
0:19:53
And this is this is a problem that we're we're going to work with Nitro to solve.
0:19:57
Nitro wants to solve it.
0:19:58
This is not, you know, And and just to be very clear, like and Matt mentioned this, Nitro has been incredibly cooperative with us.
0:20:06
We drew we do truly believe that the senior management there wants wants to solve these problems.
0:20:11
Right?
0:20:11
It's not it's not a question of of of negligence or or lack of commitment.
0:20:17
And, you know, we we believe we will get this solved with them because
