Views from the Northwest Bronx

Even as we marked our 30th anniversary in 2013, much of our work continues to address the lasting impact of redlining, disinvestment and speculation in the Bronx. In the past two years, UNHP has made significant strides in our work to identify and improve distressed multifamily housing and bring needed resources to the Northwest Bronx.

​At the Northwest Bronx Resource Center, UNHP works every day to bring needed, crucial financial help and resources to the residents in our community. Our resources offer alternatives to predatory services and assist local residents take the steps needed to achieve their financial goals. This work can be time-consuming and requires persistence and follow-up by the participant. It is gratifying to us at UNHP when someone can resolve a problem and move forward. Mr. Preston Patterson is one of those stories.

​The Northwest Bronx Collaborative hosted a Memorial Day Barbecue for the senior citizens and handicapped residents of 5 affordable housing projects in our northwest Bronx community. The seniors and party-goers enjoyed a great afternoon of tasty barbecue, raffles, games of skill, music and dancing thanks to the shared efforts of the three groups that are members of the newly formed collaborative.

​Last month UNHP held its annual Multifamily Assistance Center and Building Indicator Project Lender meeting at the offices of Enterprise Community Partners. Two dozen of the top multifamily lenders in New York City participated, along with Commissioner Vicki Been and Deputy Commissioner Vito Mustaciuolo of the City's Department of Housing Preservation and Development.

​Despite all the snow this winter, spring is anticipated with dread by many who own property in New York City. Spring brings the release of the New York City Water Board Proposal for the next fiscal year’s water and sewer rate increase. Among some of the advocates this spring, there is hope that the new Mayor will be open to amending the rate setting policies of the previous city administrations.

Two Bronx students, one completing his Associates degree at Bronx Community College, and another returning to school to advance his career, took advantage of the UNHP Free Tax Preparation Program.

University Neighborhood Housing Program (UNHP) celebrated our 30th Anniversary in 2013 with multiple events towards our affordable housing mission, including a 30th Anniversary Forum, significant progress in our work to improve distressed multifamily buildings, and two celebrations.

The Norwood News has just published another troubling article about the cost and time overruns at the filtration plant. Another year, Another Setback for the Croton Water Filtration Plant is an unwelcome reminder about the link between the affordability crisis in the Bronx and rising operating costs – especially the cost of water.

Earlier this fall, UNHP and a number of our partners met with all four bank regulators in the Empire State Building to talk about how to measure and evaluate multifamily lending practices when examining banks for both CRA and Safety and Soundness. Hosted by the FDIC and the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS), the meeting highlighted the work of UNHP on both the Multifamily Assistance Center and the Building Indicator Project.

As part of our affordable housing mission, UNHP has lent $5.9 million in low-interest affordable housing loans, provided a range of assistance to 67 multifamily buildings and oversees the administration, management and maintenance of 24 buildings with over 1,000 units. Join UNHP board and staff for the UNHP building tour highlights.