File #: Res 0322-2014    Version: * Name: NYCHA to ensure that all signs and notices posted in its developments are available in multiple languages and that translation services are accessible to all of its residents.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Public Housing
On agenda: 6/26/2014
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the New York City Housing Authority to ensure that all signs and notices posted in its developments are available in multiple languages and that translation services are accessible to all of its residents.
Sponsors: Laurie A. Cumbo, Margaret S. Chin, Costa G. Constantinides, Robert E. Cornegy, Jr., Mathieu Eugene, Vincent J. Gentile, Peter A. Koo, Rosie Mendez, Deborah L. Rose
Council Member Sponsors: 9

Res. No. 322

 

Resolution calling upon the New York City Housing Authority to ensure that all signs and notices posted in its developments are available in multiple languages and that translation services are accessible to all of its residents.

 

By Council Members Cumbo, Chin, Constantinides, Cornegy, Eugene, Gentile, Koo, Mendez and Rose

 

Whereas, The New York City Housing Authority (“NYCHA”) is a public housing authority with 334 developments, 2,563 buildings and 178,557 public housing units, making it the largest public housing provider in North America; and

Whereas, NYCHA is home to approximately 4.8 percent of the City’s population; and

                     Whereas, According to the Resident Data Summary, which provides statistical information on residents occupying NYCHA’s developments, including an analysis of race, at least 46.2 percent of residents identify as black, 43.6 percent of residents identify as Hispanic, 4.9 percent of residents identify as White, 4.5 percent of residents identify as Asian and less than 1 percent of residents identify as some other race; and

                     Whereas, NYCHA residents are extremely diverse, they speak multiple languages and represent many countries and cultures around the world; and

                     Whereas, NYCHA’s website, where residents can find information related to, for example, Community Center activities, senior activities, health services, and employment opportunities, is available in at least 35 different languages; and

                     Whereas, Additionally, residents can sign up to receive NYCHA Alerts by email, which automatically provide them with information about service outages and service restorations at their developments; and

                     Whereas, Many residents, particularly NYCHA’s growing aging population, do not have access to computers or smart devices and rely heavily on information that is posted via signs and notices throughout their developments; and

                     Whereas, In order to communicate effectively with its residents and ensure that all residents can read and understand all signs and notices posted in their developments, NYCHA should at a minimum, make such signs and notices available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian and Creole where appropriate; and

                     Whereas, If necessary, NYCHA personnel should also be readily available to translate such signs and notices for residents that read and understand other languages; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York City Housing Authority to ensure that all signs and notices posted in its developments are available in multiple languages and that translation services are accessible to all of its residents.

 

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06/09/2014