Views from the Northwest Bronx

In this post, we will focus on financing trends among owners and investors in private, rent-stabilized housing in New York City. Below is an attempt to capture some of the changes in the housing finance landscape over the past number of months and particularly since the beginning of the current public health crisis. Without predicting the future, we hope to raise a number of questions as to where that market is headed and how tenants might be affected, with an emphasis on data and  examples from the Bronx. 

Among the many health and economic concerns facing New York City during the Covid-19 Pandemic is the ability of affordable housing projects to continue to provide the safe and quality housing that residents deserve. With massive unemployment requests and businesses closing indefinitely, rent collections are projected to drop significantly.

The UNHP Northwest Bronx Resource Center is committed to bringing needed resources to our Bronx community. That commitment is renewed as we face this ongoing COVID-19 crisis. We know people need information about health, food, financial, and housing resources at this time. This guide was updated in February 2021. The link to the updated guide is in the blog and can be also be found on our website under publications/guides

The COVID 19 pandemic has shown that community health is national health is global health. Community-based healthcare networks, like Bronx Community Health Network, Union Community Health Center, and Morris Heights Health Center, offer both medical care and services that Bronx families need to stay well and treat chronic illnesses, like diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and HIV.

Despite the need to close our NYC Free Tax Prep Program on March 14th due to the rising health concerns from COVID 19, UNHP was able to assist 920 low-to moderate income Bronx residents file their taxes for free and access on-site financial and affordable housing services.

We always understood that some people had a hard time with the Community Reinvestment Act, which passed in 1977.

Since 2006, UNHP has welcomed Peace Corps Coverdell Fellows from Fordham’s International Political Economy and Development (IPED) Master’s program as three-semester interns. Fordham University offers the Paul D. Coverdell Peace Corps Fellowship to selected returned Peace Corps volunteers. The Fellowship Program has benefited both the Fellows and UNHP.

On Friday, December 13th, Fordham University celebrated the 15th Anniversary of the Paul D. Coverdell US Peace Corps Fellowship Program at the University. UNHP as a community partner and internship site was invited and acknowledged at the luncheon.

The NWBCCC Reinvestment Project and UNHP are featured in this essay by Gregory Jost, a former UNHP staff member, and valued colleague. The essay was originally published by Urban Ominibus and developed out of Greg's research for a book on redlining in the Bronx. It demonstrates how data was an important organizing tool in the early days of the Community Reinvestment Act and remains important today as displacement and speculation threaten the Bronx and other low-income neighborhoods in NYC.

29 Fordham University and Manhattan College student volunteers + 10 community partners + 2 housing workshops + 151 Bronxites + UNHP = 1 productive day for all at UNHP's 3rd annual Bronxtober Resource Fest!