Q&A
Clarity of instructions for OAC staff on which agency handles different types of repairs
2:01:26
ยท
123 sec
Council Member Hudson inquires about the clarity of instructions provided to OAC staff regarding which agency is responsible for handling different types of facility issues. NYC Aging representatives discuss the current communication practices and potential areas for improvement.
- NYC Aging believes they have been clear about the division of responsibilities between agencies
- Generally, larger facility issues are handled by NYCHA, while NYC Aging handles things like HVAC
- Some confusion may arise from inconsistent practices by property management in the past
- NYC Aging holds monthly meetings with OAC directors to address issues and take questions
- Representatives acknowledge the need to revisit and potentially improve the process for sharing information about repair responsibilities
Crystal Hudson
2:01:26
Okay.
2:01:26
Thank you.
2:01:27
OAC staff have reported that they sometimes can spend hours navigating facility requests and are often unsure of which agency is responsible for handling a particular facility issue.
2:01:37
Other staff have reported that NYC aging and NYCHA engage in finger pointing, seeking to assign responsibility for a repair request to the other agency.
2:01:45
Do NYC aging and NYCHA provide clear instructions to OAC staff on which kinds of repair or facility requests are handled by each respective agency?
UNKNOWN
2:01:55
I like to think so.
2:01:57
Of course, it's, you know, there it's not always black and white, but generally speaking, I think we've been pretty clear, things like HVACs aging has been handling things that are usually larger facility issues, NYCHA.
2:02:08
I I think what's happened in the past is there's some property, or property management that have done gone above and beyond for things that normally the program handles.
2:02:16
And so when then they're told they you know, when it becomes their their issue, I think that's sometimes a challenge.
2:02:23
But it's generally speaking, we are pretty clear, I think, on on what the program or aging handles versus NYCHA.
Crystal Hudson
2:02:29
Are written materials provided to OACs on how to request assistance with facility issues and which agencies should be contacted for which kinds of issues?
2:02:37
Anything in writing?
UNKNOWN
2:02:39
No.
2:02:40
That's a good question.
2:02:40
I think, generally speaking, anything NYCHA, they are told to they should go to NYCHA, and that's usually a discussion between property management and the director.
2:02:48
They have a relationship as well.
2:02:50
We do have regular meetings with our directors.
Crystal Hudson
2:02:53
How regular?
UNKNOWN
2:02:54
Every month, I host a meeting.
2:02:55
And so as things come up, we will address it and and take questions.
2:02:58
So, we can always revisit the process.
2:03:02
You know, obviously, staff changes over.
2:03:04
But, mostly, I would say, I think people are pretty clear that they can escalate issues to us, as needed.
2:03:09
But, usually, the facility issue goes to NYCHA, and I think NYCHA will let them know if it's not something that the, that they're responsible for.
2:03:18
Again, sometimes it's the program is responsible, but that's not always clear.
2:03:22
So we can look into or discuss a way to share that information clearly.
Ukah Busgith
2:03:28
Okay.