NYCHA Stories
The Public Housing Community Fund helps tell the story of public housing residents past and present and their positive contributions to our city. One in every 17 New Yorkers live in NYCHA communities, and generations before them have called public housing home. The residents of public housing are the engine of our city’s economy, and each day, they positively impact our city. Through our social media channels, traditional media, and public service campaigns, we will strive to reach one million New Yorkers over the next five years by creating engaging content that tells the story of NYCHA residents, NYCHA alums, organizations, and others having an impact in public housing communities and through the five boroughs. Watch some of the videos below and check our other social media channels for more content from NYCHA communities. Have a great NYCHA story? We would love to hear and share it. Contact us and we’ll connect with you.
Meet Branda Ayo and learn more about her Canarsie neighborhood and Breukelen Houses.
Meet Brigitte Charlton, founder of Inner City Green Team Economic & Environmental Development and learn more about their work to increase recycling in NYCHA.
Meet Dwayne Norris and learn more about his work as the trainer and curriculum partner for NYCHA Youth Tech Corps Powered by AT&T.
Meet Minerva Diaz and learn more about her artwork at Jacob Riis Houses.
Meet Karen Blondel, Red Hook West Tenant Association President and learn more about how she is educating and leading public housing residents.
Tamra Cosby, a poet from South Side Jamaica, Queens, and a current resident of Astoria Houses, uses her art to challenge stigmas surrounding residents of public housing. In this powerful audio story, Tamra speaks candidly about her upbringing, the impact of gun violence, and the effects of gentrification while highlighting poetry as a tool for healing and community empowerment. As the From Roots to Arts artist-in-residence at Astoria Houses, she is actively creating spaces for dialogue, self-expression, and change. Through her words, she reshapes the narrative of public housing residents, proving that art has the power to transform lives and communities. Directed by Kemi Karim, Senior Manager of Art & Culture at the Public Housing Community Fund.
Meet Sarah Blas, Outreach Coordinator for the NYCHA Clean Energy Academy and learn more about what sustainability means in NYCHA.
Meet Latoya LeGrand and learn more about her nonprofit, Projects 2 Projects, and South Jamaica Houses.
Meet Cornel Robinson and learn more about his business, Cornel's Catering Company.