People First

Call Directions Website Contact the organization

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 each 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.

OUR TEAM BUILDS COMMUNITIES. COME WORK WITH US! Vecino Construction and People First are hiring for the new Parkway Gar...
10/11/2026

OUR TEAM BUILDS COMMUNITIES. COME WORK WITH US!

Vecino Construction and People First are hiring for the new Parkway Gardens redevelopment project in Utica!

Here are the details:

Starting Pay: $20/hour

Hours: 40+ hours per week

Requirements: Ages 18 & up; open to all experience levels—from entry-level laborers to seasoned craftspeople!

When: Thursday, October 15 | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Where: In front of the job trailer at 1600 Armory Dr (construction entrance on Tilden Ave behind MVCC)

This project is subject to HUD Section 3 requirements—local public housing residents, voucher holders, and area job seekers are strongly encouraged to come out and apply.

Questions? Call/email Colin Seiter at (719) 235-1026 | [email protected].

Our Gilmore Village 2026 Fall Festival was a success! Here’s a digital diary of the event. 🎃✨ Residents gathered to eat ...
10/07/2026

Our Gilmore Village 2026 Fall Festival was a success! Here’s a digital diary of the event. 🎃✨

Residents gathered to eat food and sweet treats like cotton candy {machine donated by the Salvation Army} & chocolate dipped apples, enjoy hay rides {provided by our very own employee, Sam Harris}, pumpkin painting, games, raffles & more! 🍂🎟️🤎

Thank you to Kristen Clark, our Community Resource Assistant who organized the event, any & all PF staff who attended and helped in any way, and to all of our donors who made this event possible! Donors include: TQ Nails & Spa, Fun Nation, Utica Coffee, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Olive Garden & Red Samurai.

Looking for work in construction?Build your community C with the Thrive Cornhill Project!Join us on Wednesday, October 7...
10/06/2026

Looking for work in construction?

Build your community C with the Thrive Cornhill Project!

Join us on Wednesday, October 7th at the Johnson Park Center (26 Johnson Park, Utica) for the Thrive Cornhill Impact & Renaissance Center Construction Job Fair.

Meet hiring contractors on-site and explore immediate trade and laborer openings!

Event Details:Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2026 D.C.
Two Sessions: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM & 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: JPG Community Center, 1415 West s, Utica, NY 13501

Positions & Starting Pay Rates:Laborers / Helpers (Starting at $16.50/hr) Laborer w/ Construction Experience (From $19.00/hr) Laborer w/ Plumbing Experience ($20.00 – $30.00/hr) HVAC Laborer (Starting at $22.00/hr) Construction Laborer (Starting at $23.00/hr) Gypcrete Finisher (Starting at $26.00/hr) CDL Driver / Construction Crew Member (Starting at $27.00/hr) HVAC Mechanics (Negotiable based on experience) & Pipefitters/Sheet Metal Workers

What to Bring:Government-issued photo ID Resume / work history Trade certifications (OSHA 10, CDL, etc., if applicable)

This project is covered under HUD Section 3. Utica-area low-income residents, public housing residents, Housing Choice Voucher holders, and YouthBuild graduates are strongly encouraged to attend and self-certify on-site!
Apply / Learn More: Scan the QR code or visit https://tinyurl.com/5e6yt2mt.

Questions? Contact Simran at 415-858-3411 or [email protected].
Please share and repost to help connect local job seekers with these opportunities!

Gilmore Village residents ~ join us for our Fall Festival! October 1st 4-6:00 P.M. 🎃💛🎟️🍂~ Food, games, hayrides, a cotto...
09/29/2026

Gilmore Village residents ~ join us for our Fall Festival! October 1st 4-6:00 P.M. 🎃💛🎟️🍂

~ Food, games, hayrides, a cotton candy cart provided by the Salvation Army, and raffle prizes! 🍭🍁

“Don’t end your story; Just rewrite it.” 💜Our first ever You’re Not Alone event is officially in the books ; 💙This event...
09/19/2026

“Don’t end your story; Just rewrite it.” 💜
Our first ever You’re Not Alone event is officially in the books ; 💙

This event was founded by Tiffany Oliver, our Community Resource Assistant and founder of the Bridge the Gap programs. For Tiffany, it is incredibly meaningful to turn personal struggles into experiences that can bring positive change to others. So, we gathered with local health resources and services, like Helio Health, STAR Mobile Crisis Program, Life Center for Family and Recovery, and the Utica Police Department to play carnival games, eat food from Utica BBQ, and spread joy, knowledge, and connection.

Tasha MacMillan says, You’re Not Alone is a suicide-awareness event intended to remind members of our community that they are not alone and to connect them with vital resources and support.

Thank you to our People First staff, Bank of Utica, GPO Federal Credit Union and all who showed up and made this event possible! We hope it’s just the first of many.

Housing is more than just four walls—it is the foundation for opportunity, dignity, and a better future.We are proud to ...
09/17/2026

Housing is more than just four walls—it is the foundation for opportunity, dignity, and a better future.

We are proud to participate in Mohawk Valley Gives through Central New York Community Solutions, Inc. (CNYCS), the 501(c)(3) non-profit partner of People First (Utica Municipal Housing Authority).

While public funding maintains physical buildings, your private charitable donations directly fund essential resident services that change lives:

* Move-in kits and supportive case management for neighbors transitioning out of homelessness
* homeless assistance via the Housing Resource Center
* After-school tutoring, youth job training, and summer camp programs
* Emergency food relief and self-sufficiency coaching for seniors and families

Every dollar stays right here in our community to ensure that people always come first.

Donate today: https://www.givemv.org/organizations/central-new-york-community-solutions-inc-6e9c4e3a-2e13-4417-a449-825dfd29935f

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! 🎉

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

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when People First posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to People First:

Shortcuts

Share

Category