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AGENCY TESTIMONY
NYCHA's Response to Security and Fire Guard Issues
1:00:23
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176 sec
Lauren Gray, NYCHA's Senior VP for Quality Assurance, Safety, and Technical Programs, addresses the City Council committee on public housing regarding NYCHA's security guard and fire guard programs. She discusses the authority's efforts to improve safety and security in NYCHA communities, including their response to a Department of Investigation (DOI) report and implementation of new oversight measures.
- NYCHA has implemented a security guard program in 52 senior buildings and is working to fully fund it by fiscal year 2026.
- The authority has reduced reliance on fire guards from over 150 locations in 2023 to just over 30 in 2025.
- NYCHA is implementing 12 recommendations from the DOI report, including enhanced oversight, improved infrastructure, and revised reporting procedures.
Lauren Gray
1:00:23
Chair Chris Banks, members of the committee on public housing, other distinguished members of the city council, NYCHA residents, community advocates, and member of the public.
1:00:35
Good morning.
1:00:35
I'm Lauren Gray, NYCHA's senior vice president for quality assurance, safety, and technical programs.
1:00:42
I'm pleased to be joined by Shin Kim, senior vice president of supply management and procurement, and Joseph Taronova, senior director for the office of fire safety.
1:00:52
Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the authority security guard and fire guard programs and how we are partnering with the New York City Department of Investigation to foster safety and more secure NYCHA communities.
1:01:06
The safety and security of NYCHA families is a priority for us.
1:01:10
To that end, NYCHA in partnership with the Tenant Association Presidents have proactively implemented a security guard program at our 52 buildings dedicated for seniors even though security guard services are not required at any NYCHA developments.
1:01:25
NYCHA is working with the city on another capital swap, which will fully fund the program in city fiscal year 2026.
1:01:33
Fire guard services are required at buildings where an installed fire protection system is out of service for repairs.
1:01:40
In accordance with the New York City Fire Code, one fire guard is assigned to patrol up to 50,000 square feet of space to watch for fires and alert emergency services and the fire department of New York
Chris Banks
1:01:51
if
Lauren Gray
1:01:51
necessary.
1:01:53
NYCHA has focused our efforts and financed an aggressive repair program that has significantly reduced the reliance on fire guards and buildings from one from over 150 locations in 2023 to just over 30 in 2025.
1:02:08
We value our partnership with the New York City Department of Investigation and appreciate their efforts to bring to our attention areas at the authority that need improvement.
1:02:17
NYCHA has already made significant progress with implementing several of DOI's recommendations and is exceptionally substantially all of the 12 recommendations as part of our shared goal to ensure safe and secure communities for NYCHA residents.
1:02:31
For instance, NYCHA is amending its contract and invoicing process for security and fire guard services to enhance oversight, providing dedicated security desk or podiums for security guards in a central location at each building, posting signage with information for residents to report emergencies or make security related inquiries or complaints, performing unannounced inspections as well as spot checks of cameras to ensure guards are present, and revising procedures related to the reporting of security infrastructure issues.
1:03:01
While we acknowledge that there is a lot of work to do, we are grateful for the support of our partners, including DOI and the city council, as we strive to ensure safe and secure communities at NYCHA and continue to improve residents' quality of life.
1:03:15
Thank you for your partnership, and we are happy to answer any questions that you may have.