People’s Firehouse Incorporated Description of Services

PFI Identity

Name:   People's Fire House, Inc. (PFI)

Business Status/Type: Not-For-Profit Corporation -  501(C)3  

Mailing Address: 113 Berry Street, Brooklyn, New York 11211

Name of Contact Person: Daniel Rivera Title: Executive Director

Telephone:   (718) 388-4696, ext. 318  Fax: (718) 388-1702

Location of Office: 113 Berry Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211; Northside section of Williamsburg

Office Hours:   Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm 

People's Firehouse, Inc. is the management agent for four community-based low and moderate-income housing developments - three rentals and one home ownership. Three of the housing developments are owned by not-for-profit Article XI Housing Development Fund Companies (HDFC), and one is owned by the condominium association. 

Other Organizations    Relationship to PFI

1) Msgr. Alexis  In 1991, PFI developed this new 64-unit,

   Jarka Hall HDFC  HUD 202, low-income elderly housing development, and organized the HDFC owner entity.

2) 11-15 New Montrose HDFC In 1983, PFI moderately rehabilitated this 35-unit, low-income family development under the NYC CMP Program, and organized the HDFC owner entity.

3) 93 Clay Street  In 1993, PFI substantially rehabilitated this 8-unit development as a battered women's shelter, and organized the HDFC owner entity.

4) Northside Condominiums  In 1994, PFI became management agent for this new 57-unit, moderate-income home ownership development.

HUMAN SERVICES EXPERIENCE

For twenty years, PFI has provided a broad-spectrum of diverse social, health, educational, vocational and housing services and programs, and, increasingly, urban development.  PFI is a fully experienced social service provider with an established referral network for its clients. 

Community Services - PFI's work can be roughly divided into seven low-income community program areas:

 Community tenant/landlord counseling and assistance;

PFI offers "walk-in" assistance to tenants and landlords regarding their housing rights and responsibilities. This assistance preserves more low income housing than could ever be developed.

When mediation and negotiation do not settle housing problems, housing Part Court cases follow.  In order to work for better housing laws and to utilize volunteers in teaching tenant rights, People's Firehouse organized the Northside-Greenpoint Tenants Council. The Tenants Council has been in operation for more than six years, with regular monthly meetings and housing rights clinics.

PFI assists its clients with a variety of housing services, from owning and managing low-income housing, assisting with public,  Section 8 and other assisted housing applications, to locating and developing new housing opportunities. Housing remains a critical community problem.

 Human Services;

A true grassroots organization, founded by the community, its director and board members as well as a number of staff live and work in the community. This is an organization operated by and for the needy population it serve. 

The several thousand community residents directly served by PFI each year need a wide spectrum of assistance, advocacy and support services. PFI provides basic social, senior citizen, housing and health services for the poor and indigent, often non-English-speaking, population of its community. These services include information and referral for entitlement programs, e.g. emergency food, clothing, shelter, and essential benefits as Food Stamps, Medicaid, SSI, HEAP, WIC, SCRIE, EPIC, EISEP, Lifeline, immigration counseling and educational and vocational training programs, and a variety of health care services.

Through PFI's contract with HPD under the Community Consultant Program, PFI delivered new services including educating and assisting landlords, as well tenants regarding their rights and responsibilities, and negotiating with both landlords and tenants to settle housing problems.  This pro-active approach has proved to be very successful.  Newsletters, bulletins and seminars were the means of outreach regarding these, and many other, issues.

Several significant publications are planned for 2000, which include a comprehensive program service guide for the elderly and handicapped, and a complete landlord/tenant handbook, based upon the New York State landlord/tenant laws.  These publications will be broadly marketed and distributed within the community.

PFI' offices are open to the public, and it welcomes "drop-in" clients. The CCC program specialist counsels clients individually.  In addition, through the CCC Program, PFI conducts group seminars and provides educational information on subjects such as tenants rights, landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities, entitlement and other assistance service programs for the residents of  the community. 

 Housing management;

PFI manages 22 buildings - 19 home ownership, 2 rental and 1 shelter (owned by HDFC's) - 164 residential units in all.  These buildings, some new and some previously abandoned, were developed by PFI through the NYC Housing, Preservation and Development Community Management Program, HUD 202 Program and, in the case of the home ownership housing, through the NYC Housing Partnerships' New Homes Program.  Housing developments managed by PFI include a Section 8 moderate rehab at 11-15 New Montrose Avenue, a 34 unit residential building purchased from the City in 1984. A HUD-funded Section 202 new construction housing project was awarded in 1985.  Msgr. Jarka Hall housing for the elderly, opened in 1992, brought 64 units of desperately needed low income housing to the Northside Williamsburg Community.  In addition, we have rehabbed, managed and turned over city owned buildings intoHousing

Development Fund Corporations (H.D.F.C.’s) which are tenant owned and managed. Prior to the turnover we have provided training in the areas of management, bookkeeping, how to function as a board and how to deal with contractors.  Only after reaching a demonstrated level of building management, usually one year, is the building turned over to the tenants and are self-managed.

  Computer training and repair, and ESL training;

In 1994, PFI was awarded a one million dollar Special Purpose Grant to administer an innovative computer program to community residents. Through the SPG Program, PFI has established a computer repair facility, and computer literacy training program.  Staff and local area students repair computer broken and obsolete equipment donated to the program from New York metropolitan area businesses. The revitalized equipment is then donated to not-for-profit organizations and residents.   Through this program, PFI has opened the People's School, which, in addition to computer literacy training for area residents, also provides ESL classes for the multi-cultured neighborhood. Since 1985,  the People's Firehouse has been providing training and supportive services to high school drop-out.

For the past nine years, PFI has worked with George Westinghouse Vocational/Technical High School training 12-15 students a year from the school.  The students work along with our staff in order to receive work experience training.  Classroom training is provided on alternate weeks by the high school. This program has resulted in 140 students obtaining valuable skills.

  Fire prevention advocating and assistance;

During the past decade, the People's Firehouse has received fire and arson prevention funding from U.S. Fire Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the New York State Department of State, and the New York City Mayor's Arson Strike Force.  A wide variety of model programs, brochures and manuals have been developed. The People's Firehouse Arson Data Information system utilizes various sources to identify arson and fire-prone sites, maintain records on fire-related information. Program activities include publishing fire safety tips and local fire news in the People's Firehouse Bulletin, training tenant associations in arson and fire prevention and providing technical assistance to community organizations in North Brooklyn, New York City and through the United States, 

  Weatherization home improvement:

For years the People's Firehouse Weatherization Assistance Program promotes energy efficiency and the development of new building improvement methods. Every year our Weatherization staff identifies low-income residential buildings in need of energy conservation measures. Grants are provided to assist landlords with replacement and upgrade of heating and distribution systems, roof and walls insulation, electricity conservancy, windows and doors replacement, water conservation and other improvement services which help owners to manage utility energy efficiency. Through the Weatherization Assistance Program People's Firehouse has been providing professional training, technical support and consultation services to many owners of the multi-family buildings.

  Project Open House: 

Construction, renovation and equipment installation for people's with disabilities; Project Open House provides necessary and appropriate modifications to residences occupied by mobility impaired New Yorkers within the five boroughs.  Modifications can include both alterations to existing structures and/or the installation of adaptive equipment to allow individuals to overcome these architectural barriers to mobility.  The goals of the program are: to increase independence in activities of daily living, to maintain the current level of independence, to have access to the community, and to prevent unnecessary institutionalization.

The program is currently able to provide minor modifications to homes which include:   grab bars, railings, temperature control valves,  lift chairs, higher toilets or the installation of light switches rather than pull chains. Larger projects such as: stair glides, ramps, bathroom modifications and platform lifts are possible, but funds are limited.  Project Open House receives its funding through a grant from Mayor's Office For People With Disabilities.

 Directors, Officers and Key Staff

Name/Address   DOB Position/ Appointment Current Occupation/Office Date Employer

Del Teaque 133 Kent Avenue 1/23/47  Board Chair 1985  Attorney/Surrogate Brooklyn, NY 11211      Court/Kings County

Jean Kraph 111 North 9th Street 6/1/46 Board Treasurer 1977 MusicBrooklyn, NY 11211       Consultant/Musicram

Alma Savoia 275 North 6th Street 11/10/51  Board Secretary 1985 Public SchoolBrooklyn, NY 11211       Teacher/PS 114

Don Hauser 133 Kent Avenue   Board Member 1995  Computer Technician

Brooklyn, NY 11222

Robert Faramara 124 North 6th St.  8/16/64 Board Member 1997  Restaurant    Brooklyn, NY 11211      Merchant/Owner

Dennis Gonzalez 321 Grand Street 12/25/70 Board Member 1998  Activist for handicapp

Brooklyn, NY 11211

Daniel Rivera 1031 Manhattan Avenue 3/3/63 Ex. Director 2000  Executive

Brief Description of Board Members

Del Teague - Advises on legal issues regarding leases and contracts.

Jean Kraph - Helps with research on foundations (Fund raising).

Alma Savioa - Does outreach with Senior citizens.  Member of the Advisory Board at Jarka Hall.

Don Hauser - Advises on computer related issues.

Robert Faramara - Advises on issues regarding merchants in the area.

Dennis Gonzalez - Advises on issues regarding physically challenged persons.

People’s Firehouse Staff

Name   Title

Oscar Rivera   Weatherization Director

Cesar Rodriguez  Post Inspector

Maud Veneski Receptionist / Clerical / Data entry

Kurt Hill  Director  Outreach / Anti-Arson / Public Safety

Oswald Langford Director Fiscal

Jacek Bikowski Superintendent / Community Liason

Vanessa Muir Bookkeeper

Maria Rivera Tenant Relations Specialist / Assisted Housing Manager