Q&A
Unique aspects and conditions of OACs located on NYCHA property
0:37:19
ยท
177 sec
Council Member Hudson inquires about the unique aspects of OACs located on NYCHA property. Ryan Murray discusses the characteristics that set these centers apart, while Hudson expresses concerns about the physical conditions of some facilities.
- NYCHA OACs have a rich history of organizing and community engagement
- The William Hodson Center is highlighted as the oldest OAC in the nation
- Concerns raised about poor physical infrastructure in some NYCHA OACs
- NYCHA acknowledges the need for upgrades and confirms funding for critical improvements
Crystal Hudson
0:37:19
Great.
0:37:19
Thank you so much.
0:37:22
Aside from location, is there anything specific about OACs located on NYCHA property that sets them apart from other OACs in New York City?
Ryan Murray
0:37:33
It's a broad question, council member.
Crystal Hudson
0:37:35
It is.
Ryan Murray
0:37:37
Here's what I'll say.
0:37:39
You know, that's like, why is NYCHA important and who's been there?
0:37:42
Like, this is, you know, as we said, one of the oldest older adult centers, in the nation happens to be a NYCHA older adult center.
0:37:53
What for us sets them apart is that rich, deep history, of organizing, of making sure that services are brought to a location, in terms of social services or responsiveness.
0:38:07
So that energy, I think, is, something that I, when I visit the centers and I've I've been out to about a 3rd now, of the 300, that's the thing that I think sets it apart.
0:38:20
And, folks, you get the sense of deep commitment to community.
0:38:24
Folks live there.
0:38:25
Right?
0:38:26
And just to for folks who know, it's not the centers are hubs of activity overall.
0:38:32
That's all of our centers, but you get a sense that folks who aren't in the development, they go to the development, also are invested in the community as a whole.
0:38:40
So it's that energy and vibrance, that I think is that what sets apart, the NITRA programs.
Crystal Hudson
0:38:47
I know we're gonna get into facilities and stuff, in just a bit.
0:38:53
But I do wanna say I've been to the William Hodson Center and council member, Stevens District.
0:38:58
It is an amazing community that's incredibly vibrant and active, but I will say that I was extremely disappointed when I went and saw the physical, you know, center and, infrastructure.
0:39:13
You know, the floors were coming up, there are holes in the walls, leaks.
0:39:18
And to be the oldest, you know, proudly, the oldest, older adult center in the nation, I just think that, our older adults deserve a better environment than that.
0:39:28
And so, would encourage you all, if you haven't been to that center specifically recently, to visit them there because that should be sort of the the shining light and and the example, for the entire network, of what it means to be the oldest and the first older adult center in the nation, that's here in New York City, in the Bronx, in a public housing facility with such a vibrant community as it as it has, that, you know, that should be the example of what these these centers should look like.
0:40:04
What yes.
0:40:05
Yes.
0:40:06
Sure.
Dylan Baker-Rice
0:40:07
Yeah.
0:40:09
We certainly take note of that and that's been our focus.
0:40:12
So that's one of the centers that's funded for critical upgrades.