At NYCHA’s Breukelen Houses in Canarsie, Brooklyn, residents are launching a community-wide garden initiative that celebrates the development’s unique, park-like landscape. Embracing Breukelen’s abundant green space, the project invites residents of all ages and backgrounds to participate. With new support from the Black Farmer Fund and plans to collaborate with additional local partners, the effort aims to foster food sovereignty, environmental education, and a deeper connection between neighbors and nature. This initiative aligns with NYCHA’s sustainability priorities by activating green space for community well-being and climate resilience.

At NYCHA’s Warren Street Houses in Gowanus Brooklyn, residents are launching an intergenerational arts and education initiative designed to connect the local NYCHA community with the broader Gowanus neighborhood. Focusing on seniors and youth, the project will offer collaborative art-making and workshops that explore environmental topics such as the Gowanus Superfund clean-up, climate resilience, and sustainability. This initiative directly supports the 2021 NYCHA Sustainability Agenda by centering Warren Street residents in shaping the future of their neighborhood and promoting equitable participation in the city’s sustainability efforts.

At NYCHA’s Gowanus Houses in Brooklyn, residents are launching “Scoop the Dog Poop,” a community-driven initiative focused on promoting responsible pet ownership and improving shared outdoor spaces. The project aims to reduce pet waste in common areas, helping to eliminate unpleasant odors, prevent health hazards, and create a cleaner, more welcoming environment for all residents. This effort directly supports NYCHA’s broader vision for healthier, cleaner, and more sustainable communities by advancing environmental responsibility and enhancing quality of life.

IAt NYCHA’s Red Hook West Houses in Brooklyn, residents are expanding the Red Hook Griot Storytelling Project to include a new series of climate storytelling workshops that blend environmental education with cultural preservation. Held in community gardens and shared outdoor spaces, these workshops will create opportunities for residents to share personal and collective narratives that highlight the lived experience of climate change in Red Hook. Aligned with NYCHA’s broader sustainability goals, this initiative centers community voices, fosters environmental awareness, and deepens residents’ connections to each other and their surroundings.

At NYCHA’s Frederick Samuel Apartments in East Harlem, Manhattan, residents are leading a two-part initiative with the Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board (MSWAB) to promote environmental education and sustainability. The project will host large-scale outdoor recycling education events for residents at three NYCHA developments, including Frederick Samuel, and provide support for resident associations to boost recycling efforts and build community capacity. Supporting NYCHA’s 2021 Sustainability Agenda Goals 3 and 4, the project empowers residents through community activation and workforce development while advancing more efficient building operations across the developments.

At NYCHA’s Wagner Houses in East Harlem, Manhattan, the Right to Recycle Collection Initiative—led by Inner City Green Team (ICGT)—is transforming local waste management through a resident-centered approach to sustainability. Since launching in 2021, the initiative has diverted nearly 70 tons of recyclable materials, including textiles and electronic waste, away from landfills. The project has empowered residents to take ownership of their community’s ecological footprint. Supporting NYCHA’s broader sustainability vision, ICGT emphasizes that achieving long-term environmental goals requires deep collaboration and full institutional backing for grassroots programs like Right to Recycle.

The Manhattanville Rehab Tenants Association proposes a revitalization of the 134th Street Plaza through the installation of solar-powered lighting, new seating, and the transformation of existing tree pits into multi-use gardening beds. While the project will enhance the 134th Street Plaza as a welcoming and safe space for residents, the vision will also positively impact the broader NYCHA Manhattanville community. This proposed revision aligns with NYCHA’s sustainability goals by fostering greener, more resilient environments and building stronger community connections through resident-led improvements.

At NYCHA’s Polo Grounds Towers in East Harlem, Manhattan, residents are coming together across generations to launch an environmentally focused initiative centered on soil health, climate education, and workforce development. This resident-led project will introduce hands-on training in vermicomposting, organic matter decomposition, and green job pathways. Rooted in the belief that Resident Action = Community Empowerment, the project supports NYCHA’s sustainability goals by reducing the community’s carbon footprint while expanding its “empowerment footprint” through deeper civic engagement and environmental stewardship.

At NYCHA’s Thomas Jefferson Houses in East Harlem, Manhattan, residents are advancing climate education through the creation and distribution of The Little Green Book—a climate action guide designed specifically for NYCHA residents. This grant-funded project will produce printed copies of the guide to be shared across the development, with a special focus on engaging youth, students, parents, and seniors. The project aims to inspire residents to become active participants in addressing climate change at the local level. Aligned with NYCHA’s broader vision for environmental justice and community empowerment, The Little Green Book equips families with the tools and knowledge to make lasting, positive change.

At NYCHA’s Redfern Houses in Far Rockaway, Queens, residents are launching a powerful initiative to address the environmental injustices caused by the nearby Inwood Material Terminal (IMT) and its long-standing impact on local air quality. This project will engage seniors, adults, and children in a community-wide survey to document health concerns, increased medical expenses, and missed work or school due to pollution-related illness. Residents will use public artwork to express their lived experiences and elevate their collective voice. The Redfern community aims to hold polluters accountable and advance NYCHA’s sustainability mission through advocacy, awareness, and resident-led action.

At NYCHA’s South Jamaica Houses in Queens, residents are expanding a community gardening and wellness initiative that prioritizes healthy living, food access, and intergenerational connection. The project will add more garden beds to increase fresh food production, with a designated staging area to host gardening workshops and wellness activities such as yoga and stretching classes. While open to all, the initiative places a special focus on seniors, offering a safe and supportive space for physical activity and community engagement. Once completed, the garden will not only nourish the neighborhood with fresh vegetables but also serve as a lasting hub for education, health, and environmental stewardship—advancing NYCHA’s vision for sustainable, resident-centered spaces.

At NYCHA’s South Jamaica Houses in Queens, residents are expanding their community farm by building 20 new raised vegetable beds and creating an outdoor space for gardening education and wellness activities like yoga and stretching—especially for seniors and youth. Led by the South Jamaica Resident Green Committee, this project addresses food insecurity in a local food desert while promoting healthy eating, sustainability, and community connection.

At NYCHA’s Todt Hill Houses in Manor Heights, Staten Island, the Clear Air, Better Life Initiative is a resident-led effort focused on improving indoor air quality and reducing pest infestations through sustainable, community-based solutions. This initiative will equip residents with the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to create healthier living environments—offering workshops, distributing eco-friendly supplies, and promoting best practices for long-term home maintenance. Aligned with NYCHA’s broader sustainability goals, the project prioritizes resident well-being through environmentally conscious interventions that support healthier, more resilient public housing communities.

At NYCHA’s Stapleton Houses on Staten Island, HEALTH for YOUTHS is leading a heartfelt initiative to expand the community garden in honor of the late Ms. Geraldine Parker, beloved former president of the Stapleton Houses Resident Association. This project will enhance the garden’s impact by introducing cooking and planting classes, expanding the composting system, and adding a greenhouse to support year-round learning and food production. Rooted in the spirit of Ms. Parker’s legacy, the project will promote sustainability and wellness at Stapleton for years to come, powered by resident leadership and continued support from the broader community.

At NYCHA’s Morris Houses in Claremont Village in the Bronx, the nonprofit Repurposed for Life is leading a community-driven initiative designed to support the well-being of over 4,000 residents across 17 buildings.The project will engage local youth from the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) to assist with the distribution of essential household and wellness items—directly reaching intergenerational families, many of whom live on fixed incomes. Building on successful programs at nearby NYCHA developments, including Jackson Houses and Claremont Consolidated, this initiative promotes sustainability through equitable resource sharing and strengthens community resilience by centering resident needs and youth leadership.

At NYCHA’s Claremont Consolidated in the Bronx, residents are building on the success of their first “STEAM Powered Clay” Family Day—a vibrant, hands-on event that introduced families to the world of green careers and sustainability-focused learning. This year’s initiative will expand the event with new activities centered on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM), giving children and families the opportunity to build educational kits and explore future pathways in the green economy. The project also strengthens partnerships with local organizations, inviting them to participate in resource fairs and potential job fairs. By sparking curiosity and expanding access to environmental careers, this initiative supports NYCHA’s sustainability goals while investing in the next generation of climate leaders.

At NYCHA’s Morris Houses in Claremont Village in the Bronx, the nonprofit Compost Power, led by sustainability advocate Domingo Morales, is using the power of music and storytelling to inspire climate action. The project features an original song and music video titled “SCRAPS”—a creative and educational piece that teaches residents how to properly compost and recycle food waste. Looking ahead, the initiative also envisions the development of a composting site at Morris Houses, which would not only reduce landfill waste but also generate local green jobs. This project supports NYCHA’s sustainability goals by cultivating community knowledge, environmental stewardship, and workforce opportunities rooted in climate justice.