Heat Team Readies for Expected Cold Spell with Expanded Heating Staff, Activated Situation Room - NYCHA

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 30, 2019

CONTACT: media@nycha.nyc.gov

NYCHA HEAT TEAM READIES FOR EXPECTED COLD SPELL WITH EXPANDED HEATING STAFF, ACTIVATED SITUATION ROOM

NYCHA’s Situation Room will again centralize the Authority’s efforts in advance of this week’s extreme cold weather event.

NEW YORK – Today, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) activated its Situation Room in Long Island City in anticipation of dangerously low temperatures affecting New Yorkers starting Wednesday through Friday.

The Authority’s heating response teams and developments will also be fully staffed to ensure any issues with heat or hot water are addressed quickly and efficiently, continuing NYCHA’s ongoing strategy to proactively monitor its heating infrastructure while quickly deploying necessary emergency staff to address any heat-related service interruptions.

“Our staff is fully prepared to respond to any emergencies that may arise while also working hard to anticipate problems this cold spell may bring — just like we have been throughout this heating season,” said NYCHA General Manager Vito Mustaciuolo. “We ask our residents to use the MyNYCHA app or call the Customer Contact Center at 718-707-7771 with any heat or hot water issues so that we can limit any service interruptions and be the better, more responsive landlord they deserve.”

NYCHA’s heat staff continues to work seven days a week from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. through the end of heating season, and its heat desk remains on call 24/7 to respond to any service interruptions. NYCHA also prepared for this week’s extreme cold weather by:

Increasing heating response teams from Wednesday through Friday, with teams working day, evening, and overnight shifts. Roving teams will be assigned to every borough and will be dispatched across the city as needed;

Adding more staff at the Customer Contact Center from 6 a.m. to midnight on Thursday and Friday to accommodate a higher call volume.

Opening one warming center in every borough to NYCHA residents experiencing heat issues from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Additionally, the Authority triggered its Incident Command System (ICS) and Situation Room in Long Island City, where personnel from its Emergency Management, Heating, Elevators, Information Technology, Maintenance, Repair and Skilled Trades, and other departments will centralize NYCHA’s operations as well as coordinate response and resources.

Following the extreme cold weather during the MLK holiday, NYCHA’s proactive efforts and robust response to heat and hot water service interruptions have already resulted in services being restored in 10 hours on average, compared to 36 hours at this time last year.

The improvements are in keeping with the Authority and the de Blasio administration’s commitment to enhancing NYCHA’s response to heat-related issues, which include increased staffing, improved resident communications, and investments in heating infrastructure.

Anyone experiencing issues in their developments should create a work order ticket by using the MyNYCHA app or by calling the Customer Contact Center at 718-707-7771.

About the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)

NYCHA’s 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. Over 390,000 New Yorkers reside in NYCHA’s 316 public housing developments and PACT/RAD developments formerly managed by NYCHA around the five boroughs. Over 190,000 receive subsidized rental assistance in private homes through the NYCHA-administered Section 8 Leased Housing Program. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/nycha, and for regular updates on NYCHA news and services, connect with us via  www.facebook.com/NYCHA and www.twitter.com/NYCHA.