People First

People First We are a people-first affordable housing and supportive services agency, headquartered in Utica, NY. People First is not just a key.

People First (Formerly known as: Utica Municipal Housing Authority) Is Here For Our Residents! While we have more than 1,000 properties throughout Oneida County and 3,500 residents, we are more than just a landlord. We are a people-first affordable housing and supportive services agency, headquartered in Utica, NY, that ensures the needs of people are valued, prioritized, and fulfilled. We value e

ach and every one of our residents and take great pride in your life success. We are a team of 63 dedicated and compassionate individuals who work together for you.

Looking for a job that is more than just a paycheck? One of reciprocity, and intimate affairs within your city? Look no ...
07/13/2026

Looking for a job that is more than just a paycheck? One of reciprocity, and intimate affairs within your city? Look no further!

We are hiring! Here's our available positions:

Director of Finance
~ The Municipal Housing Authority of the City of Utica, NY (MHA) is seeking an experienced financial leader to serve as Director of Finance (Chief Financial Officer). This senior executive position owns the overall fiscal management, financial operations, and financial strategy of the Authority. Working closely with the Executive Director, the Director of Finance plays a central role in organizational strategy, long-range financial planning, and the financial oversight of a growing portfolio that includes complex funding streams such as HUD programs, LIHTC equity partnerships, and syndicated partnerships. The incumbent exercises substantial discretion and independent judgment on matters of significance to the Authority and serves in a confidential capacity to the Executive Secretary on labor relations and overall operations.

Housing Assistance Representative
~ This position exists in the Municipal Housing Authority and the Department of Urban and Economic Development, Bureau of Section 8 Housing and involves responsibility for assisting tenants in applying and establishing eligibility for participation in rental assistance programs. The Housing Assistance Representative is also expected to publicize the programs and encourage participation of both owners and tenants. The work is performed under the general supervision of the Housing Project Manager or Housing Assistance Administrator with some latitude permitted for the exercise of independent judgement in carrying out work assignments. The incumbent does related work as required.

Apply online and find more details today at https://www.peoplefirstny.org/careers/ 💙

PUBLIC NOTICE: Upcoming Resident Commissioner Election 🗳️ Municipal Housing Authority of the City of Utica, NY (d/b/a Pe...
06/05/2026

PUBLIC NOTICE: Upcoming Resident Commissioner Election 🗳️

Municipal Housing Authority of the City of Utica, NY (d/b/a People First)

The Municipal Housing Authority of the City of Utica (People First) will hold its upcoming Resident Commissioner Election. This election gives eligible residents an opportunity to vote for representative leadership on the Board of Commissioners.

✨ Election Details

- Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2026
- Voting Hours: 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM

✨ Voter Eligibility & Requirements

To cast a ballot in this election, you must meet the following criteria:

- Method: In-person voting only.
- Residency: Must be a current resident of one of the designated developments listed below.
- Age: Must be 18 years of age or older.
- Identification: A Valid Photo ID is required to verify eligibility at the polling station.

✨ Certified Candidates

The following residents have qualified to appear on the ballot for the Resident Commissioner position:

1. Rosa M. Nieves Vasquez
2. Adil A. Qureshi

✨ Voting Locations

Eligible residents may cast their ballot at any of the following locations:

- Perretta Twin Towers (Community Room) — 509 Second St., Utica, NY 13501
- Marino-Ruggiero Apartments (Community Room) — 415 Bleecker St., Utica, NY 13501
- Humphrey Gardens (Community Center) — 225 Herkimer Rd., Utica, NY 13502
- Gillmore Village (Computer Lab) — 921 Hillcrest Ave., Utica, NY 13502
- Vega Martinez Center (Serving Adrean Terrace, Matt Apts., and N.D. Peters Manor) — 1790 Armory Dr., Utica, NY 13501
- Chancellor Apartments (Community Room) — 417 Bleecker St., Utica, NY 13501
- WAREHOUSE @ 700 Broad Street (Community Room) — 700 Broad St., Utica, NY 13501

✨ Contact & Support

For more information, eligibility questions, or accommodations, please reach out to the administrative offices at:

- 315-735-5246
- 315-982-3731

Our Bridge the Gap end-of-season field days was such a huge success! 🌞🏈🙌Kids being kids, just playing outside, and commu...
05/28/2026

Our Bridge the Gap end-of-season field days was such a huge success! 🌞🏈🙌

Kids being kids, just playing outside, and communities being communities, genuinely seeing one another and joining in a collective space ~ In this day and age, this is exactly what we need more of.

To the Bridge the Gap founder, Tiffany Oliver, thank you so much for continuously showing up for our community and organizing these spaces in this way. This is real positive change 💙

Thank you to the Utica Police Department & all responding officers who continue to answer the call and show up not just here, but everywhere to protect and serve our community.

To future Bridge the Gap events! 🎉

Photos from our Bridge the Gap Cinco de Mayo party last week at our Adrean Terrace location! 🎊💙 What a blessing this pro...
05/12/2026

Photos from our Bridge the Gap Cinco de Mayo party last week at our Adrean Terrace location! 🎊💙

What a blessing this program and all the events we get to hold within it is, truly bridging the gap within our community on step at a time.

Thank you to the UPD Officers and to our PF Staff who continually show up for not just these kids, but all of Utica. ✨🫂

The Utica Municipal Housing Authority {People First} will hold its annual resident commissioner election on Tuesday, Jun...
04/28/2026

The Utica Municipal Housing Authority {People First} will hold its annual resident commissioner election on Tuesday, June 16, 2026! One seat on the Board of Commissioners is open for a two-year term, from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2028.

An orientation for interested candidates will be held on Monday, April 27, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the Perretta Twin Towers Community Room, located at 509 Second Street, Utica NY 13501.

~ For further information, please call John Furman at 315-982-3731 or 315-725-0974 ~

💙🤍

Pictures from our Broad St Dinner Party! 🎉 To honor the completion of our construction here + the building’s full occupa...
03/31/2026

Pictures from our Broad St Dinner Party! 🎉

To honor the completion of our construction here + the building’s full occupancy, we decided to mark the events with a celebratory dinner for our residents 😇✨

All residents came together to eat delicious food, enter raffle giveaways & share lots of laughs ~ what more could you ask for?!

We asked our residents what their favorite thing about being a People First resident at Broad St was and the responses were such a blessing to hear. Most answered with their appreciation of our staff who go above and beyond every day, some noted how quiet and safe they feel here and a couple of people said everything! 🥹

Thank you to our development partner, The Vecino Group, for helping to make all of our visions come to reality!

~ Food catered by Joey’s 307
~ Cake made by Holland Farms Bakery

And a special thank you to all of our staff who worked to make this event possible. What a good day to be a part of the People First Family!
🔑💙

Pictures from our Chancellor Dinner Party! 🎉 To honor the completion of our renovations here + the building’s full occup...
03/30/2026

Pictures from our Chancellor Dinner Party! 🎉

To honor the completion of our renovations here + the building’s full occupancy, we decided to mark the events with a celebratory dinner for our residents 😇✨

Thank you to our development partner, The Vecino Group for making all our visions a reality! Together, we created all new communal rooms for our residents well being, including:

~ Lounges
~ Fitness Room
~ Music Room
~ Craft Room
~ Game Room
~ Library
~ Conference Room
~ Kitchen

Food catered from Joey’s 307!

And, a special thank you to all staff who worked together to make the event as enjoyable as possible! What a good day to be part of the People First family! 🔑💙

Address

509 Second Street
Utica, NY
13501

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+13157355246

Website

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