Q&A
Effects of RAD/PACT conversion on older adult center operations
1:13:29
ยท
4 min
Council Member Banks inquires about how RAD/PACT conversion affects the status and operation of older adult centers. NYCHA representatives explain the transition process and discuss specific issues at certain developments.
- NYCHA states that services should not be affected by the conversion, with programs transitioning to new management
- Discussion of ongoing renovation issues at specific centers, such as Boulevard Houses
- Concerns raised about temporary relocation of seniors during renovations and limited services
Chris Banks
1:13:29
Okay.
1:13:30
When when, a NYCHA facility with a adult, older adult center is converted to RadPAC, how does that conversion affect the status, or operation of the OAC?
1:13:42
And how does that conversion affect the services offered by the OAC?
Ukah Busgith
1:13:47
It should not affect the services at all.
1:13:49
The program transition with the conversion and we we ensure that the provider are in introduced to the new property manager there at the table that now they're required to sign a lease agreement and the program continues as normal as normal.
Chris Banks
1:14:06
In boulevard houses, we have a situation where there's a rehab being done to the center that's, shared by, I believe, CAMBA and, Fort Greene Senior Services.
1:14:20
The seniors have been out of home for, close to a year or so.
1:14:26
And we've been waiting and waiting, for that center to be opened up, I believe.
1:14:33
And I would say the total disregard to the center to the seniors.
1:14:37
The seniors have been placed in an apartment, and I visited that apartment plenty of times, and it's it's it's no place you would wanna put seniors to to to to to to be able to have programs or activities.
1:14:50
And I believe that the activities are very limited, because we're constantly getting complaints, from the seniors, about the lack thereof of services and programs that are that are that are not being offered.
1:15:03
So what's being done particularly in that situation?
Ukah Busgith
1:15:07
I'm not familiar with that situation, council member, but I can follow-up.
Chris Banks
1:15:11
Well, if and and that's why it goes back to the the the broader issue of NYCHA being engaged, especially when it comes to the RADPAC conversions, and the need for oversight, because they are not they're not they're not there.
1:15:26
And and and that's something that I think Nitrous, we've wanted to their attention, but it seems like, nothing's being has been being done, and, we're constantly the seniors are losing valuable time.
1:15:42
And, hopefully, this conversation today, will, hopefully move, the, the Radpack converted management team or or or or or developers or or management team to finally, finish rehabbing that center so the seniors can get back in there.
1:16:02
And also, CAMBA can get back to, the the services that they provided.
Ukah Busgith
1:16:07
Right.
1:16:07
And I know some of our facilities have critical infrastructure issues, so we'll just follow-up on the timeline to restore.
Chris Banks
1:16:14
Yeah.
1:16:15
Okay.
1:16:15
Well, thank you.
1:16:15
I appreciate that.
1:16:18
After the a conversion, does NYCHA monitor the OACs to ensure that the level of service provided under RADPAC matches the level of service provided when the facility was under section 8?
Ukah Busgith
1:16:32
So NYCHA doesn't monitor the OAC, but I think aging will ensure that the providers are following through in terms of the program.
Chris Banks
1:16:40
Why is it that you don't monitor the services?
Ukah Busgith
1:16:46
In terms of delivery of services?
1:16:48
So if they
Chris Banks
1:16:48
have services, I mean
Ukah Busgith
1:16:50
They have a they have a contract with with aging, and aging is responsible to ensure that the program is delivering on that.
1:16:57
If, for instance, our resident leaders flag that the services provided is not adequate, compared to pre conversion, then we, of course, will get to the table and see
Chris Banks
1:17:09
How do you know that if you're not engaged?
Ukah Busgith
1:17:11
If the resident leader will we we still stay in touch with our resident leaders post conversion and if they bring some issues to us.
Chris Banks
1:17:17
I invite you to come out to Boulevard and Linden Houses.
Ukah Busgith
1:17:21
I know we're working on an election
Chris Banks
1:17:22
meeting right now.
1:17:23
Yeah.
1:17:23
Yeah.
1:17:24
You're working on election day and boulevard houses.
1:17:26
Correct?
Ukah Busgith
1:17:26
Yes.
Chris Banks
1:17:27
Where there's no TA to advocate for the for the residents or this and and well, the residents and particularly the seniors, in that particular facility.
1:17:35
So, what extra attention is being, paid by NYCHA to make sure that, you know, that these particular, management companies are providing the services or keeping their commitments?
Ukah Busgith
1:17:49
Right.
1:17:50
So we have a post conversion team at NYCHA who will, visit the location.
1:17:55
Yes.
1:17:56
And if they are residents not
Chris Banks
1:17:58
That's interesting.
1:17:59
Yes.
Ryan Murray
1:17:59
Yeah.
Ukah Busgith
1:18:00
If the residents are not satisfied with the services, they may bring it to our attention.
1:18:05
Attention will follow-up.
1:18:06
We also have surveyed post converted sites and, use that data to address any deficiencies.
Chris Banks
1:18:12
Well, can you provide that data to us?
1:18:14
Sure.
Ukah Busgith
1:18:15
Not
Chris Banks
1:18:15
for the
Ukah Busgith
1:18:16
part, but other developments.
1:18:17
Yes.
Chris Banks
1:18:17
Other developments, but, we will love I would definitely love to see that to see how that how that's informing you.