Senator Montgomery And Community Leaders Help NYCHA Tenant Leaders Access Federal Funds For Program Development

Brooklyn, New York: There is $3.6 million in federal money available through the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) for programs at NYCHA public housing developments in Brooklyn, and State Senator Velmanette Montgomery (D-Fort Greene) is helping her constituents access this money for a variety of tenant activities.

The $3.6 million represents Brooklyn’s share of a total of $10.7 million provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for NYCHA resident participation activities citywide. Leadership development, entrepreneurial planning and jobs skills training, and instruction in public housing policies are among the activities that are eligible for funding support.

"Most of the tenant leaders from NYCHA’s public housing in my Senate district didn’t know about the availability of this funding. With the support and expertise of several community resource organizations, I am working with tenant leaders to help them develop their funding proposals," the Senator said.

This information was discussed at a meeting called last week by Montgomery, which was attended by tenant leaders from NYCHA’s public housing developments in the 18th Senate District, including the communities of Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Bedford Stuyvesant, Gowanus, Ocean-Hill, Red Hook, Farragut.

Community leaders who were on hand to offer advice and instruction were Rudy Bryant, of the Fort Greene-based Pratt Institute Center for Community and Environment Development (PICCED); Dr. Georgiana Glose, executive director, Fort Greene SNAP; and Victor Bach, of the Community Service Society.

As one of the founders of PICCED, Rudy Bryant helps community groups revitalize their neighborhoods, create and preserve affordable housing, build childcare and community centers, and improve their environment.

"PICCED has been a primary source for community empowerment for people in my district," the Senator said.

Montgomery and Bryant will be meeting with tenant leaders in the coming weeks to develop and finalize their funding proposals.

Pictured above are: (Second Row/l-r) Sandra Paynes; Harry Polite; Harriet Hughes; Senator Velmanette Montgomery; Michelle Pinnock, Assistant Deputy General Manager of Community Operations; Councilman David Yassky; and Dorothy Berry, Ingersoll TA President; (Third Row/l-r) Gloria Finkelman, Director of Borough Management; Theresa Brown of Lafayette Gardens; Community Leader Wanda Gilliam; Douglas Apple, General Manager of Community Operations; Mary Andrews, Farragut TA President; Knowledge Bryant and Ed Brown, Concerned Parents Network; and Constantino Sagonas, Assistant Deputy General Manager of Capital Projects.