Mayor Appoints New GM
Today, NYCHA announced that Michael Kelly is stepping down from his role as General Manager, effective February 22. Mayor Bill de Blasio has appointed Vito Mustaciuolo as acting General Manager while NYCHA performs a nationwide search for the position. Mustaciuolo was formerly the Deputy Commissioner for the Office of Enforcement and Neighborhood Services at the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD).
“Vito Mustaciuolo has a long and successful history of advocating for tenants,” said NYCHA Chair Shola Olatoye. “His more than 30 years of experience at HPD will be invaluable as we implement broader reforms to strengthen public housing. I’m excited about the operational expertise he brings to the role. I would also like to thank Michael Kelly for his years of public service, especially his two stints at NYCHA. I and the executive team are grateful for Michael’s deep industry knowledge and connections and his commitment to improving the lives of the 1 in 14 New Yorkers who call NYCHA home.”
Since Kelly’s appointment as GM in 2015, NYCHA reduced average repair wait times from 14 to 5 days, began a massive resiliency program to modernize buildings, and launched NextGen Operations to improve customer service, resident engagement, and resident quality of life.
As NYCHA’s principal administrator, the General Manager oversees the maintenance of all developments. Mustaciuolo brings decades of experience securing repairs for tenants and holding landlords accountable. At his most recent position at HPD as Deputy Commissioner, he oversaw a staff responsible for assuring owner compliance with the New York City Housing Maintenance Code and the New York State Multiple Dwelling Law throughout the city to promote quality housing for New Yorkers. Mustaciuolo launched and managed the City’s Alternative Enforcement and Emergency Repair programs, initiatives that have rehabilitated hundreds of apartment buildings and protected affordable homes for tens of thousands of New Yorkers. He also played a critical role in drafting and implementing the 2004 Local Law 1, the City’s chief ordinance for lead testing and remediation. He had been with HPD since 1989.
“This Administration has made an unprecedented commitment to strengthening public housing, and we are bringing in one of the City’s best to further our progress. Vito Mustaciuolo has a proven track record of fighting for tenants across the five boroughs, and I know he will hit the ground running at NYCHA,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Mustaciuolo looks forward to working with the entire NYCHA team and is humbled by both the Mayor’s and Chair’s confidence and support. He says his top priorities are “…advancing the level of service to NYCHA tenants, increased portfolio wide capital improvements, and timely restoration of essential services. There is nothing more important than improving the quality of life of the thousands of families and individuals that call NYCHA ‘home’.”