Q&A
Community engagement during RAD/PACT conversion process
1:18:23
ยท
6 min
Council Member Banks questions NYCHA about community engagement and education efforts during the RAD/PACT conversion process, particularly for older residents. NYCHA representatives discuss their outreach and support strategies.
- NYCHA holds information sessions and provides resources to engage residents throughout the conversion process
- Discussion of challenges in making engagement sessions senior-friendly
- Concerns raised about the clarity of information provided to seniors during the conversion process
Ukah Busgith
1:18:23
So we can do we can do, present that data to you.
Chris Banks
1:18:27
Thank you.
1:18:27
Look forward to that information.
1:18:29
How does NYCHA ensure that older residents are aware of their rights leading up to, and during the conversion process?
Ukah Busgith
1:18:37
Sure.
1:18:37
So we have info sessions throughout on engaged residents and ensure all that information regarding their rights.
Chris Banks
1:18:44
Have you attended any of those, engagement sessions?
Ukah Busgith
1:18:46
I haven't in, not recently, but in the past.
Chris Banks
1:18:49
How long ago?
Ukah Busgith
1:18:51
At least 4 years.
Chris Banks
1:18:52
Okay.
1:18:54
4 years?
Ukah Busgith
1:18:54
I have a team Right.
1:18:55
That does that.
Chris Banks
1:18:56
Alright.
1:18:57
The, engagement sessions that I've actually been to, for Boulevard, Linden, Florida Developments that have gone Rad Pack in my district, are not friendly to seniors.
1:19:12
Particularly, in in in these particular ones that I've been to.
1:19:17
What is being done to, better, those, those engagement, you know, those engagement opportunities, for for for NYCHA residents, particularly when it comes to seniors who, as coming out have just some of them these conversions took place during COVID, and, and and and and are taking place now, as we speak.
1:19:41
So,
Ukah Busgith
1:19:42
so we we do share information.
1:19:44
Our team also may have office hours at the locations where residents, especially our older population who may not have access to Internet requesting additional information, could go to our staff who's on the ground, during the hours that, we're there available to them to answer any questions regarding the conversion.
1:20:05
We all they also have access to legal aid if they, choose to use that avenue.
Chris Banks
1:20:11
So so you know for sure, that the, when a senior has to sign a, sign over from a section, section 9 lease to a section 8 lease, there are services to assist those seniors?
Ukah Busgith
1:20:25
Yes.
1:20:26
Legal aid is available to help them.
Chris Banks
1:20:28
And it and and and what are those particular, organizations?
Ukah Busgith
1:20:32
So it's legal aid?
Chris Banks
1:20:33
Legal aid is 1.
Ukah Busgith
1:20:34
Yeah.
1:20:34
That's the one
Charles Madray
1:20:35
that we
Chris Banks
1:20:35
That's the only one.
Ukah Busgith
1:20:36
That we have.
1:20:36
Okay.
1:20:37
And, resident leaders can also bring on other partners to support the residents.
Chris Banks
1:20:43
Resident leaders can bring on
Ukah Busgith
1:20:45
If they need additional resources.
1:20:46
Yes.
Chris Banks
1:20:46
Okay.
1:20:47
And and can you give me a scenario, such you were over development, where conversion is taking place where resident leaders are given the opportunity to bring in other
Ukah Busgith
1:20:56
agents?
1:20:56
There have been occasion where resident leaders may want to res Do
Chris Banks
1:20:59
you know any specific, development?
Ukah Busgith
1:21:01
Attorney?
1:21:01
I know this is happening currently at Reece House
Chris Banks
1:21:04
At Reece.
1:21:05
Okay.
Ukah Busgith
1:21:05
We're engaging Oh.
1:21:07
And the residents that we want to have an attorney representing them.
Chris Banks
1:21:10
Okay.
1:21:11
Community engagement and education.
1:21:13
What outreach does NYCHA conduct, to inform older residents about older adult centers, the services they offer?
Ukah Busgith
1:21:22
So, again, I I previously spoke about our newsletter that we share.
1:21:26
We made table at a development, and we encourage the older adult provider to, attend resident association meetings, to share information on the programs that they're offering in the older adult center.
1:21:39
As Ryan spoke to, some of our resident leaders are playing key roles on the advisory board at the older adult center
Chris Banks
1:21:47
And when information.
1:21:49
And when controversies arise when it comes to, you know, repair issues, not being clear on documents that the senior may be signing.
1:22:02
What is that the is that something that they would bring to, the the senior center or the the older adult center?
1:22:10
How does NYCHA step in, or where is NYCHA at in those conversations?
1:22:15
Or when a situation like that
Ukah Busgith
1:22:17
comes up.
1:22:17
Talking specifically about leases or Yep.
Chris Banks
1:22:19
When it
Gale A. Brewer
1:22:20
or anything.
Chris Banks
1:22:20
Correct.
1:22:21
When a senior is not sure.
1:22:22
I mean, multiple times, I've got my office has received calls, about, recertifications.
1:22:29
We know that's something that, constantly takes place under the, RadPACs, which to me doesn't make any sense.
1:22:36
But, when it comes to recertifications, that's something that's constantly being done.
1:22:42
And you're constantly hearing seniors, have to, do recertifications when the incomes are not changing.
Ukah Busgith
1:22:49
Yeah.
1:22:50
So they do have to, recertify.
1:22:53
Our team, you know, as we spoke earlier about the elderly safe at home program, we have that about at 14 locations.
1:22:59
They will support seniors Yeah.
1:23:01
Completing those recertification.
Chris Banks
1:23:03
I hear about that program a lot, but I just don't see them as I don't see them on the ground.
1:23:08
So maybe you can I can share a list of connect somewhere?
Ukah Busgith
1:23:11
Share the list of developments where they are.
1:23:13
We have also trained our CBO partners to assist with some certification.
Chris Banks
1:23:17
So the, CBO that's, overseeing the, the the the, old adult center is trained?
1:23:24
Okay.
Ukah Busgith
1:23:25
Yes.
1:23:25
We have trained.
1:23:26
I've requested.
1:23:26
Yes.
1:23:27
Alright.
Dylan Baker-Rice
1:23:28
Alright.
1:23:29
Maybe Counsel chair.
1:23:30
I could also speak to you brought up the issue about repairs.
1:23:33
So anytime we're engaging in a capital project, so we're upgrading a center, We have our standard operating procedure, which is for community engagement.
1:23:44
Right.
1:23:44
So we're working both with the center operators, if they're a CBO.
1:23:48
We're working with our resident leadership and residents.
1:23:51
So if there are seniors as part of that, we're working with them to scope that, to scope the project and make sure they're involved in the process of the repairs, both in the design.
1:24:03
So they actually have input about the needed repairs and upgrades and also throughout the construction process with regular updates.
Chris Banks
1:24:11
Alright.
1:24:12
Does the OAC service continue even when, all residents have, signed on to the new pack lease?
1:24:21
It it continues?
Ukah Busgith
1:24:22
The owner of that center will continue
Charles Madray
1:24:24
to operate.
Chris Banks
1:24:24
Okay.
1:24:26
When it comes to, enforcement and transparency, local law 75 of 2021, created a liaison position, for the, New York City aging to coordinate with NYCHA and make recommendations to the New York City aging about how to better service NYCHA residents.
1:24:47
Who is the current liaison or liaison liaisons, and, how has the liaisons been received by NYCHA residents, and what recommendations has the liaisons made, to the NYCHA Aging Commissioner so far?