The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) has announced the opening of a new computer lab at the Van Dyke Community Center in Brooklyn. This initiative, supported by a $10,000 donation from Amazon and developed in collaboration with the Public Housing Community Fund (PHCF) and CAMBA, aims to enhance digital access for residents.
According to NYCHA’s official NYCHANow press release, residents of Van Dyke Houses joined representatives from NYCHA, PHCF, CAMBA, the resident association, and Amazon for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The project is designed to assist residents with schoolwork, job searches, workforce training, telehealth services, and civic engagement. The community center serves more than 3,300 people living at Van Dyke Houses. “NYCHA quotes Resident Association President Lisa Kenner and NYCHA leadership praising the lab’s role in connecting and empowering the community.”
The redesigned space includes 10 desktop computers, 10 Chromebooks, and a printer. Two additional computers and a printer were installed for the resident association office. Amazon’s contribution of $10,000 facilitated this build-out led by PHCF. NYCHA staff contributed by painting and preparing the room.
The Public Housing Community Fund emphasizes its focus on investing in community health, financial empowerment, leadership development, and workforce training for NYCHA residents through initiatives that expand digital access. “NYCHANow further notes PHCF previously led technology-hub projects at Pomonok Houses in Queens and the Meltzer Tower senior center in Manhattan,” illustrating a model being replicated at Van Dyke.
According to NYCHA’s 2025 Fact Sheet, it is the largest public housing authority in North America. It provides affordable housing to over 520,000 authorized residents across 335 developments through public housing programs such as Section 8 and PACT/RAD. The document highlights that approximately one in seventeen New Yorkers resides within NYCHA properties. This scale enables partnerships with nonprofits and private donors on community technology initiatives like the Van Dyke lab.
