NYCHA Recognized as Leader in Information Technology 20160428 - NYCHA

NYC Housing Authority


Press Release


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 28, 2016
CONTACT: media@nycha.nyc.gov | (212) 306-3322

NYCHA RECOGNIZED AS LEADER IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT)

MARC-NAHRO Awards NYCHA for Digital Initiatives, Including Mobile Digital Vans, MyNYCHA App, NYCHA Self-Service Portal

Over 23K downloads of MyNYCHA app, with more than 90K work order tickets created through the app since launch

Mobile Digital Vans served 900 visitors at 22 developments in the first quarter of 2016

NEW YORK––The Middle Atlantic Regional Council of the National Association of Housing and Development Officials (MARC-NAHRO) has awarded the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) for Outstanding Achievement in Administrative Innovation. The three award-winning initiatives include: NYCHA’s Mobile Digital Vans, Self-Service Portal, and the MyNYCHA mobile app – all of which advance the NextGeneration NYCHA goal of modernizing how the Authority does business to improve quality of life for residents.

As the Housing Authority becomes a more modern landlord focused on improving resident experience, digitizing NYCHA is helping increase residents’ access to NYCHA services – 24/7. The new initiatives allow residents to pay rent, schedule repairs, and manage work tickets; receive real-time alerts on outages, repairs, and service levels; access live databases and update personal information – all via mobile phones, tablets, or computers, at any time. Enhancing efficiency and transparency, these initiatives also streamline employee workflow, enabling our staff to spend less time on paperwork and more time assisting residents. Additionally, these initiatives provide residents with increased internet access and improved digital literacy through tutorials – both crucial in the 21st-century economy, as residents find information, do homework, apply for jobs, and communicate on the internet.

Due to popular demand from our residents, a third digital van will be introduced next month, ready to assist residents with internet access, computers, printers, and engaged staff. Since initially launching the MyNYCHA app, additional features have been added to the app, including the ability to sign up for the NYCHA Journal and view the history of closed work order tickets, as well as a Spanish-language feature, which makes it easier for residents with limited English proficiency to request repairs. The Spanish-language feature has also been incorporated into the web version of MyNYCHA. Approximately 45 percent of NYCHA’s population is Hispanic.

Award-Winning Initiatives:

Mobile Digital Vans for Public Housing: The Digital Vans – computer labs on wheels – bring technology directly to NYCHA communities. The vans are equipped with eight laptops, a printer/scanner, wireless internet and an instructor, and visit 18 developments biweekly. Additionally, the vans provide internet access to residents who may own a digital device, but lack a wireless connection. Residents use the labs to apply for jobs, pay rent, and communicate with family. Digital Van staff also teach residents how to use a computer and software for the first time. Previously, NYCHA’s Digital Vans were runners-up for Harvard John F. Kennedy School of Government’s Innovations in American Government Award

NYCHA Self-Service Portal: As part of the New York City Housing Authority’s goal to enhance customer service, NYCHA launched a Self-Service Portal in 2013 – an internet-based site that allows applicants, Public Housing residents, and Section-8 voucher-holders to complete many transactions online, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When first deployed, the site enabled residents to file Public Housing applications online, and gave Section 8 voucher holders the ability update their information online. As usage and demand expanded, NYCHA enhanced the Self-Service Portal, streamlining and simplifying many processes.

MyNYCHA – NYCHA's Mobile App: MyNYCHA is a free app that puts the repair process in residents’ hands by empowering them to create service requests 24/7. MyNYCHA, which works on mobile devices, smartphones, and tablets, can be used to manage work tickets, receive alerts for development outages, select times for repairs, and reschedule repair dates – reducing calls to NYCHA’s Customer Call Center (CCC). A web version of the app was deployed for residents seeking to utilize MyNYCHA’s features from a computer in their homes, the library, or NYCHA’s Digital Vans.

NAHRO awards recognize member agencies’ innovative housing and community development projects, programs, and services. These awards provide additional opportunities to inform the public of the best in housing and community development; and to create a resource bank of information on significant innovative activities performed by housing and redevelopment agencies and community development departments. Information from award recipients is also used to support NAHRO's positions at HUD and in Congress.

NYCHA received the awards during the MARC/NJ NAHRO Conference and Tradeshow conference, at Resorts Hotel and Casino, in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

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About New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA):The New York City Housing Authority’s (NYCHA) mission is to increase opportunities for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers by providing safe, affordable housing and facilitating access to social and community services. To that end, NYCHA administers a Conventional Public Housing Program as well as a citywide Section 8 Leased Housing Program in rental apartments, together serving more than 600,000 New Yorkers. Learn more at www.nyc.gov/nycha and on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter, @NYCHA.

About National Association of Housing and Development Officials (NAHRO):
The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) is the leading housing and community development advocate for the provision of adequate and affordable housing and strong, viable communities for all Americans—particularly those with low- and moderate-incomes. For more information, visit http://www.nahro.org/.