Request for Qualifications - Green Space Consultant
Download the RFQ here.
Green Space Connections 3.0
Request for Qualifications - Green Space Consultant
Issued by:
Public Housing Community Fund (PHCF)
Contract Type:
Request for Qualifications (RFQ)
Eligible Applicants:
Community-based organizations, firms, advocacy groups, or individual practitioners -- We welcome applications from all sizes and shapes, including non-traditional partnerships and teams.
Contract Term:
Approximately 2 years - not to exceed December 2028
Number of Contracts:
One (1)
Expected Start Date:
September 2026 (final date to be determined)
Compensation:
$120,000.00
RFQ Response Deadline:
Monday, August 10, 2026 at 5pm EST, see Section VII for other key milestone dates
Contact:
Email all questions and responses to capital@communityfund.nyc
Organizational Overview
Public Housing Community Fund
The Public Housing Community Fund (PHCF) is an independent nonprofit (501c3) organization founded to support the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and its residents. PHCF creates and leverages resources and relationships to enhance the opportunities and quality of life for NYCHA residents, while uplifting the importance of public housing to our city. We engage people and partners to build a stronger, more equitable New York City by investing in public housing communities — with a focus on leadership development, financial empowerment, community health, workforce training, and open space transformation.
New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)
The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), the largest public housing authority in North America, was founded in 1934 to provide decent, affordable housing for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers. Today, NYCHA is home to 1 in 17 New Yorkers — providing affordable housing to over 520,000 authorized residents through public housing and Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) programs, as well as Section 8 housing. NYCHA's 177,569 apartments span 2,411 buildings across 335 conventional public housing and PACT developments in all five boroughs. With a housing stock of this scale, NYCHA is not just a housing provider — it is a city within a city.
NYCHA campuses are home to expansive outdoor areas, green spaces, and vital tree canopy that have historically been underutilized or underinvested. These open spaces represent a significant and largely untapped resource for resident health, community connection, and climate resilience. NYCHA communities are also disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change — including heat, flooding, and poor air quality — making the quality and ecological function of their open spaces a matter of environmental justice.
NYCHA connects residents to critical programs and services with a focus on economic opportunity, youth, seniors, and social services. In addition to being a key institutional partner in Green Space Connections, NYCHA is the site of this work, the landlord and steward of the physical spaces being transformed, and — most importantly — the community of residents whose lives and neighborhoods are at the center of everything we do.
NYCHA's Connected Communities Program
NYCHA's Connected Communities program is the award-winning framework that underlies Green Space Connections. Focused on transforming and modernizing open spaces through public-private partnerships, Connected Communities is grounded in participatory planning and design — placing residents at the center of decisions about their neighborhoods. The program's Connected Communities Guidebook and Open Space Masterplan provide a comprehensive urban design approach and facilitate fundraising and partnership projects that lead to resilient communities and elevated quality of life. Green Space Connections operates within and advances this framework, working in close coordination with NYCHA's Asset and Capital Management Division at every stage.
Program Background: Green Space Connections
Access to safe, well-maintained green space is essential to advancing health equity. Research shows a strong connection between the availability of open space and the overall health of communities — yet residents of public housing have long faced inequitable access to quality outdoor spaces. Green Space Connections (GSC) is PHCF's response to that inequity: a resident-led initiative focused on designing, transforming, and activating NYCHA green spaces in collaboration with public housing residents, landscape designers, and expert partners to advance health, climate resilience, and community.
What makes Green Space Connections distinctive is its commitment to centering residents not just as beneficiaries, but as decision-makers. Residents survey their own spaces, articulate their own needs, vote on priorities, and shape the designs that get built. The result is open spaces that genuinely reflect the communities they serve — and residents who feel a lasting sense of ownership over those spaces.
Green Space Connections is built on three core program components:
Participatory Design — centering residents as co-designers of their own spaces through structured engagement, workshops, and surveying processes
Physical Transformation — translating resident vision into constructed, high-quality open space improvements
Sustainability Programming — building long-term stewardship capacity among residents and partners to activate and maintain revitalized spaces
The first iteration of the GSC program and NYCHA's Connected Communities pilot effort was implemented at Pomonok Houses in Queens in 2021. With the support of Helmsley Charitable Trust, PHCF and NYCHA set the foundation for community planning and engagement practices for open space renovations at NYCHA. This work informed NYCHA's current Stakeholder Engagement Standard Procedures. Additionally, the effort also transformed an existing basketball court and built a new BBQ area at the development.
Green Space Connections 2.0, funded by a $3.2 million grant from the Helmsley Charitable Trust, successfully completed projects at four NYCHA developments - Marlboro Houses and Roosevelt Houses in Brooklyn, and Castle Hill Houses and Patterson Houses in the Bronx - impacting the lives of approximately 14,000 residents. Each project was shaped by extensive resident input through surveys, co-design and participatory budgeting workshops, and surveying, resulting in spaces that reflect the genuine needs and aspirations of the communities they serve. Early results across completed sites show increases in daily use, new social connections among neighbors, and a strengthened sense of ownership and pride in shared outdoor spaces. More information regarding these projects can be found in the appendix at the end of this document.
Building on the success and lessons of that work, PHCF has been awarded a $3.3 million, three-year grant from Helmsley to launch Green Space Connections 3.0 — expanding the program to four new NYCHA campuses. GSC 3.0 will prioritize communities experiencing health disparities and climate vulnerability, and will deepen PHCF's commitment to meaningful resident engagement, green infrastructure, and long-term stewardship. Site selection is underway in partnership with NYCHA's Asset and Capital Management and Resident Health Initiatives divisions.
GSC 3.0 will activate communities in Richmond Terrace Houses in Staten Island, Vladeck Houses and Wagner Houses in Manhattan, and Ravenswood Houses in Queens through a multi-year engagement effort, culminating in the implementation of a co-designed open green space. With a focus on the core fundamentals described above, partners in this work over the next two years will assist in advancing resident visions and feedback, implementing successful community engagement principles, and educating communities on the value of sustainable and resilient infrastructure, among other responsibilities. We are so excited to partner with you in ushering in a new era of Green Space Connections programming and design in NYCHA Communities across New York City.
About This RFQ
PHCF is seeking a qualified Green Space Consultant to join the GSC 3.0 project team for the full duration of the initiative — approximately two years. This is not a design role, rather, in the early phases of the program this consultant will serve as a foundational partner and remain active through the project’s lifespan. The Green Space Consultant will use community engagement to share expertise in landscape, green infrastructure, resilience, and sustainability to prepare residents for meaningful participation in the project design processes, construction, and activation that will follow the initial engagement phase.
The Green Space Consultant will be embedded in and play an integral role as part of the GSC 3.0 project team composed of PHCF staff, NYCHA's Asset and Capital Management Division, Resident Association Boards, Property Management staff, and other future program partners.
Scope of Work
The Green Space Consultant's engagement will span two phases with distinct but complementary responsibilities.
Phase 1: Engagement & Capacity Building (Primary Role)
Phase 1 is the heart of this consultant's engagement. Prior to the selection of design partners at Richmond Terrace Houses (Staten Island), Vladeck Houses and Wagner Houses (Manhattan), and Ravenswood Houses (Queens), the Green Space Consultant will lead the community outreach, education, and surveying processes that lay the groundwork for focused, informed resident participation in the design phase. Specific responsibilities include:
Community Engagement & Facilitation — Design and facilitate inclusive, multigenerational resident engagement across all four GSC 3.0 sites, including educational programming, surveys, outreach, and workshop facilitation. Build authentic relationships with residents, Resident Associations, and site stakeholders. Ensure all engagement is accessible, culturally competent, and available in the primary languages of each resident community.
Research — Conduct site and community research - including local histories, cultural context, environmental conditions, broad site analysis, and existing infrastructure - to inform the engagement process and eventual design briefs. Address gaps in data and knowledge that will improve understanding of local resilience and sustainability conditions, as well as community needs, across each site.
Resiliency & Sustainability Education / Capacity Building — Develop and deliver accessible educational programming and curriculum covering green space fundamentals, climate resilience, and sustainable design. Programming will be designed in partnership with PHCF and project partners, and the goal is to ground residents in the concepts that will shape their sites so that conversations with design partners are focused, productive, and resident-led.
Outreach & Surveying — Lead early-stage outreach across all four sites. Design and implement surveying processes that surface resident priorities and direct the design brief for each development.
Storytelling & Synthesis — Help residents connect personal experiences - to green space, to their neighborhood, to resilience - and translate those stories into actionable findings. Conduct qualitative and quantitative synthesis of resident input in formats useful to residents, PHCF, and future design partners. Synthesize data from outreach and surveying stages into reporting structures.
Phase 1 Deliverables
Community Engagement & Education Strategy — A written strategy outlining the consultant's approach to outreach, education, and surveying across all four sites, including timeline, methods, language access plan, and key milestones. May include site-specific outreach plans reflecting the distinct histories, demographics, environmental conditions, and community dynamics of each development. To be developed collaboratively with PHCF and program partners within the first 60 days of contract execution.
Educational Programming and Capacity Building — A recommended 4 - 6 facilitated activations per site (16 - 24 total), covering green space fundamentals, climate resilience, sustainability, and green infrastructure. Programming will be designed in partnership with PHCF and project partners, and the goal is to not only prepare residents for the incoming Green Space work, but to hear from residents directly about their priorities and needs for the community. Programming must be accessible, multigenerational, and offered in the primary languages of each resident community.
Data Collection Strategy & Implementation — Design and execution of a resident surveying and/or balloting process at each site, including instrument design, outreach to maximize participation, and documentation of results.
Qualitative & Quantitative Engagement Summary — A per-site synthesis report documenting key findings, priority themes, and resident-identified goals gathered through workshops and surveys. These summaries serve as the primary handoff documents to design partners.
Design Brief Input Document — A per-site structured summary of resident priorities, site context, and green space goals to inform the design RFQ and subsequent design partner engagement.
End-of-Phase 1 Report — A comprehensive report documenting Phase 1 activities, outcomes, and learnings across all four sites — including engagement metrics, workshop summaries, survey results, and recommendations for the design phase.
Phase 2: Design Phase Consultancy (Supporting Role)
Following the selection of design partners at each site, the Green Space Consultant will transition to a supporting role — providing guidance to ensure the design process remains accountable to the green space principles, community priorities, and resilience goals established in Phase 1. Specific responsibilities include:
Review — As part of the larger project team, contribute to the review of design proposals and progress for alignment with GSC 3.0 program goals, green space principles, and resident-identified priorities — including independent perspective on ecology, sustainability, and climate resilience.
Community Planning Support — Continue to serve as a resource to residents and the project team as designs evolve and community review processes unfold - as a trusted
General Program Management — Assist PHCF in tracking progress, flagging concerns, and maintaining accountability across all four sites through the design and pre-construction phases.
Phase 2 Deliverables
Design Accountability Framework — A written framework developed at the close of Phase 1, articulating the green space principles, resilience goals, and resident priorities that design partners will be held accountable to throughout Phase 2.
Design Review Memos — Written feedback at key design milestones (e.g., schematic design, design development) for each site, assessing alignment with GSC 3.0 goals and Phase 1 community priorities. Frequency and format to be finalized with PHCF.
Ongoing Meeting Participation — Regular attendance at project team meetings, design partner check-ins, and community review sessions as directed by PHCF. Minimum frequency to be defined in the final contract.
End-of-Project Report — A final report documenting the full arc of the consultant's engagement across both phases and all four sites, including lessons learned, recommendations for future GSC phases, and a summary of how resident priorities were reflected in final designs.
Minimum Qualifications
PHCF is open to proposals from individuals, sole practitioners, firms, teams, and partnerships. We welcome applications from organizations and individuals of all sizes and structures. At minimum, applicants should demonstrate:
Demonstrated experience in community engagement and participatory design processes, preferably in public housing, affordable housing, or similar underserved urban contexts
Expertise and experience with landscape design, community planning, green infrastructure concepts, resilience, and/or sustainability principles, with the ability to translate these concepts accessibly for non-technical audiences
Proven ability to facilitate inclusive, culturally competent engagement processes with diverse, multigenerational communities
Experience conducting and synthesizing qualitative and/or quantitative community research
Understanding of NYCHA communities, local histories, cultures, and values, or demonstrated ability to quickly build that understanding
Experience working within complex, multi-stakeholder project teams including government agencies, nonprofits, and community groups
Capacity to manage work across multiple sites simultaneously
Preferred Qualifications
Prior experience working with NYCHA or another large public housing authority.
Experience with climate vulnerability assessments or environmental justice frameworks in community contexts
Demonstrated experience in storytelling, narrative strategy, or community communications as tools for engagement
Multilingual capacity or experience providing language access in engagement settings
Anticipated Schedule
The following is a preliminary schedule, subject to change. All four GSC 3.0 sites will be engaged across this timeline.
Date
Milestone
Thursday, July 9
RFQ issued
Wednesday, July 22
Virtual information session
Monday, July 27, 5pm
Questions due
Friday, July 31, 5pm
Questions and answers published to https://www.communityfund.nyc/opportunities
Monday, August 10, 5pm
Proposals due
Thursday, August 13 - Friday, August 14
Finalists notified / interviews scheduled
Early September
Contract awarded expected / expected start
No later than December 2028
Anticipated contract end
How to Apply
Proposals should be submitted as a single PDF document to capital@communityfund.nyc with the subject line: GSC 3.0 Green Space Consultant — Proposal. Proposals must be received no later than August 10th at 5PM EST.
A complete proposal should include the following:
1. Letter of Intent (maximum 2 pages)
Explain why your organization or practice is interested in this work, the strengths you bring to the project, and your level of commitment to a two-year engagement. Describe your relevant experience and qualifications as they relate to the scope of work described above. Include a brief organizational or individual background and demonstrate your capacity to meet the objectives of this project. Specifically address:
Experience in community engagement and participatory design in urban / public housing contexts
Knowledge of and approach to green space, resilience, and sustainability education for community audiences
Experience with NYCHA or comparable communities (if applicable)
Approach to culturally competent, accessible, and multilingual engagement
2. Work Samples (maximum 5 pages)
Include examples of previous relevant work — community engagement processes, environmental / landscape consulting work, educational programming, participatory design outcomes. Work samples may be integrated into your qualifications section or provided as an appendix within the single PDF.
3. Resumes of Key Staff
Include resumes of all proposed staff members taking part in this work. Please include organizational structures, as well as any language documenting partner relationships if multiple organizations are applying together.
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Strength and relevance of qualifications and experience in community engagement, participatory planning fundamentals, education, and capacity-building
Strength and relevance of qualifications / experience in environmental planning, sustainability, resilience, and green space design practices
Strength and relevance of prior work experience and alignment with the Green Space Connections 3.0 program approach
Demonstrated understanding of and sensitivity to NYCHA communities and public housing contexts, or similar underserved urban communities
Capacity to work in a timely manner and sustain engagement across a two-year timeline with complex, multi-stakeholder project teams including government agencies, nonprofits, and community groups
Proven ability to translate community feedback into clear, accessible, and practical guidelines
Clarity and accessibility of the proposal overall
Information Session and Questions
A virtual information session will be held on July 22nd at 12PM EST via Zoom. The meeting information can be found below. Additional questions regarding this RFQ after the info session should be submitted in writing via email to the PHCF Capital Team at capital@communityfund.nyc with the subject line: GSC 3.0 Green Space Consultant - Questions.
Questions must be received by Monday, July 27th at 5pm. All questions and answers provided during the info session and received via email will be published publicly on https://www.communityfund.nyc/opportunities no later than Friday, July 31st at 5pm.
PHCF will not respond to questions submitted by phone or by any method other than the above.
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Equal Opportunity
The Public Housing Community Fund provides equal opportunity to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. PHCF strongly encourages applications from BIPOC-led organizations and individuals, as well as from practitioners with lived experience in public housing communities.
Appendix: About Green Space Connections 2.0
Green Space Connections 2.0 completed transformative open space improvements at four NYCHA developments, setting a strong foundation for the work ahead:
Castle Hill Houses (The Bronx) — Residents designed and opened NYCHA's first-ever on-campus dog park, alongside a new BBQ area, seating, and landscaped green space. Over 800 residents participated in the design process.
Patterson Houses (The Bronx) — A wave mural basketball court, two renovated playgrounds with sensory features, and an accessible fitness zone were completed through deep resident engagement and community co-design.
Marlboro Houses (Brooklyn) — A project installed pathways, sculptural seating, dynamic play and sensory features, and an innovative stormwater mitigation system using Corkeen, a sustainable natural surfacing material — the first of its kind in New York City.
Roosevelt Houses (Brooklyn) — Two newly transformed outdoor spaces featuring planters, benches, game tables, community gardens, and flexible play areas were co-created with residents to address gaps in seating, shade, greenery, and gathering infrastructure.
Across all four sites, over 14,000 residents helped reimagine their open spaces through surveys, workshops, and surveying. Early results show increases in daily use, new social connections among neighbors, and a strengthened sense of ownership and pride in shared outdoor spaces. Green Space Connections Phase 3.0 seeks to expand on the success of this work, by continuing to provide innovative public space uses to the most deserving of NYC residents.
We are excited to review your proposal!
