The public housing agency of New York City has devised a new initiative that focuses on shaping its youthful residents to become the next wave of creators for cost-effective housing.
This fall, NYCHA is taking steps to assist 60 residents aged 16 to 24 in completing their high school education and launching careers in the construction industry. The initiative aims to encourage young adults and teens to pursue post-secondary education programs and enter the construction field to secure higher-paying jobs.
This month, the U.S. Labor Department granted $1.3 million to the housing authority to concentrate on providing workforce training programs for young individuals in Brownsville who may have dropped out of school, are nearing the end of their time in foster care, have a disability, or have had past encounters with the criminal justice system.
Michelle Raymie, the director of the Office of Resident Economic Empowerment and Sustainability at NYCHA, highlights that the agency not only functions as a landlord but also strives to offer opportunities to residents, help them grow, and provide resources.
Amidst a spiraling affordability crisis in the city, where rents are soaring and housing options for low- and moderate-income individuals are becoming scarce, a new program is set to launch. The program’s debut coincides with the Adams administration’s commitment to better prepare the city’s youth for jobs in a rapidly changing economy. The administration aims to achieve this by reaching out to them at an earlier stage and connecting them with high-demand and higher-paying industries.
According to Raymie, the 40-month federal grant should mark the beginning of NYCHA’s efforts to cater to its younger residents, not just in Brownsville, but also in other public housing communities in the future.
Mayor Eric Adams expressed in a statement his deep understanding of the importance of investing in the youth of Brownsville. Being a native of the neighborhood, he recognizes the untapped potential that lies within its borders and values the need to nurture it.
He added that the future of our city rests on our capacity to assist our youth in their growth, enabling them to reach their full potential and thrive in an economy that is constantly evolving. Since the beginning of his administration, the goal has been to aid every child in succeeding and pursuing the career of their dreams.
NYCHA has been awarded a grant that will enable them to establish their own YouthBuild program. This program is funded by the federal government and aims to combat poverty by empowering young individuals to become leaders within their community. YouthBuild has been in existence for 45 years, originating in East Harlem. It was initially created to support young people who were interested in revitalizing vacant and abandoned housing in their vicinity.
According to Raymie, a former employee of YouthBuild in East Harlem, NYCHA’s program is an excellent opportunity for young residents to receive certifications in construction and hands-on training. The program achieves this by renovating three vacant NYCHA units. This effort is essential for the housing agency, as its number of vacant units has reached 5,000 in May, which is ten times higher than it was in 2021.
Raymie believes that the rehabilitation of units and the subsequent move-in of families as neighbors will provide insight into the NYCHA teams’ efforts to house people. “It’s going to help people see this whole process and the work that the NYCHA teams do to really get people housed,” he said.
This fall marks the start of the six-month program for the initial group of 30 young individuals. Following them, a second group of 30 will embark on the same journey. Moreover, during the program, all 60 participants will receive stipends, and for an additional 12 months, they will be provided with support and guidance to help them find employment.
According to Raymie, NYCHA has already contacted its contractors, partners, and union leaders who are eager to hire graduates from the program. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median salary for construction jobs is $55,600 per year.
In collaboration with the Brooklyn Public Library, the program will allocate fifty percent of its time to equip the residents with the necessary skills to pass their GED test. Additionally, the Central Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation will offer workforce training to the participants.
According to a city action plan, approximately 1 in 6 young New Yorkers aged between 16 to 26 were neither employed nor enrolled in school in 2021. This group is more likely to earn less, have lower household wealth, and experience worse health outcomes.
Later this summer, NYCHA plans to recruit individuals for the initial group. The program is available to residents residing in the Brownsville, Glenmore Plaza, Howard, Langston Hughes, Marcus Garvey, Park Rock Rehab, Ocean Hill, Ralph Avenue Rehab, Saratoga Village, Seth Low, Tapscott Street, Tilden, and Van Dyke developments, as well as those living in NYCHA Section 8 housing within the 11212 or 11233 ZIP codes.
To discover more, feel free to reach out at 718-289-8100.
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