Nearly $7M in city funding restored for security guards in 55 NYCHA buildings

NEW YORK (PIX11) -- Some are calling it a huge victory for older residents of 55 NYCHA buildings across New York City. Funding was restored to save security guards from NYCHA senior buildings.

Kayrene Brigham, 85, said she has lived in her NYCHA building for decades and has watched her Brownsville neighborhood change over the years. It’s the same community still healing from three residents murdered between 2015 to 2021.

Instead of living in fear, Brigham took action and helped spearhead a tenant association neighborhood patrol to fight back. 

She is thrilled to hear the news that the New York City Council reversed a $6.8 million cut in the 2025 budget.

Funding was restored in July to a program that provided shifts of unarmed security guards at 55 senior buildings across New York City.

PIX11 News covered the outrage of the seniors back in May.

NYCHA said in the majority of these buildings, security guards are on duty for one eight-hour shift per day. Woodson Houses Tenant President Diane Johnson said the program is critical to the safety of her seniors.

A NYCHA spokesperson told PIX11 News: "NYCHA is grateful that as part of the adopted budget in May, the City arranged for the necessary funding to continue the unarmed security guard program at all of our senior buildings through City Fiscal Year 2025. There has never been a disruption in unarmed security guard services at any NYCHA senior development.”