by Sidney Betacourt
As many communities nationwide feel the harsh consequences of climate change, many are trying to develop solutions to the crisis. One solution has grown out of the New York Climate Exchange, called the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Resident Climate Action Grants. Launched in 2022 and now in its third year, this grant program provides grants of up to $5,000 for NYCHA resident-led sustainability projects that promote community action toward addressing climate change.
The NYCHA’s Climate Action Grant was created in partnership with the Public Housing Community Fund and supported by organizations like Con Edison and the New York Climate Exchange. The grant was designed to encourage NYCHA residents to develop and implement projects that tackle environmental challenges at the grassroots level. The grant is open to NYCHA residents aged 18 and older and funds a variety of sustainability-focused projects. Examples include community gardens, composting programs, recycling education, and energy efficiency campaigns. The long-term goal is to eventually foster environmental responsibility and community resilience by supporting residents to implement solutions tailored to their neighborhoods.
NYCHA resident and NLIHC board member Diana Blackwell shares, “Through the grants, transformative programs have been launched, such as gardening initiatives that promote sustainability while connecting residents with nature and improving both mental and physical health. Another resident-led project promoting climate action and sustainability is recycling education, which encourages zero-waste principles and hands-on learning. This project also strengthens the ongoing recycling efforts and supports NYCHA’s 2021 Sustainability Agenda Goals, which align with NYC’s goal to become sustainable by 2030.
Public and low-income housing benefits from organizations and partnerships like the Public Housing Community Fund when investing in them. It creates a platform for partners and programs, and resident-led communities to become stronger, empowered, and more equitable.”
The NYCHA’s Climate Action grant demonstrates how investing in residents can lead to meaningful environmental change. By involving community members, the program ensures that sustainability initiatives are tailored to the distinct opportunities and strengths of each neighborhood. This not only aids in addressing environmental challenges, but it also fosters community engagement.
While these grants are pushing forth great work, it’s important to note that not every community is being offered this opportunity. There are many communities in New York and across the country that are not eligible for programs like this or simply do not have programs that exist. When we invest in people and in community-led projects, we can create more resilient and environmentally intentional neighborhoods for all.