Views from the Northwest Bronx

UNHP is unable to offer our free income tax program in 2022. In this blog post, UNHP shares tax tips and options for free tax prep in NYC.

The UNHP Northwest Bronx Resource Center (NWBRC) 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.

On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the third and largest COVID-19 relief package since the pandemic, known as American Rescue Plan into effect. While further guidance is needed - there are immediate benefits for many Bronx residents and families!

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.

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.

Another tax season for UNHP's Free Tax Preparation Program has ended. Working with our partners and volunteers, UNHP assisted over 1,500 tax filers with free, professional tax preparation and so much more!

With 13 UNHP Free Tax Preparation days behind us, 1,000 tax filers assisted and seven more service days in front of us, UNHP can proudly say that we are meeting, and possibly exceeding, our goals for our 2018 program.

What does it mean to be financially fit - good credit, a savings plan, a professional fee-free tax preparer, an up-to-date home mortgage, housing security? UNHP offered access to a range of financial and housing services to address all these financial fitness needs at our 2018 Open House.

Alternative Financial Services (AFS) – check cashing, rent-to-own stores, pop-up tax prep sites and pawn shops - are about equal in number to banks branches in the Bronx. The high interest rates and excessive fees, associated with these services, make it challenging to stay out of debt, let alone build wealth.

Great partnerships, dedicated volunteers, a range of on-site services and a commitment to professional, accurate, informative free tax preparation were the hallmarks of our 10th anniversary for this successful program serving over 1,400 low-income Bronx residents.