Views from the Northwest Bronx

Forty years is an accomplishment for any community organization and one that University Neighborhood Housing Program (UNHP) does not take lightly. Check out the UNHP timeline with pictures and highlights of our history and accomplishments.

For the third event in our virtual series and fundraiser, This is What We Do, UNHP brought together 31 Bronx housing operators from 12 organizations to discuss the issues that affect the housing they oversee to understand trends and emerging issues that jeopardize affordability. It is also What We Do to escalate these issues and seek to address the policies behind the issues. Read the full summary to learn more.

On Thursday, May 27th UNHP hosted a Water and Sewer Seminar looking at the ongoing rise of rates and their impact on affordable housing. UNHP, a longtime advocate for water and sewer rate reform shared a brief history of the changes that brought about the never-ending increases and a call for involvement about proposed rate increases, a new metered billing rate, and a study of the rate structure.

On June 22, 2016, the Manhattan Supreme Court invalidated the Water Board’s resolution approving a new rate schedule set to go into place July 1, 2016. Water and sewer rates will remain the same pending the outcome of the appeal. Unfortunately, the Multi-family Water Assistance Program, and its $250 per unit credit, will not be offered until the Court action is resolved.

On Friday, May 20th, 2016, the New York City Water Board approved the lowest rate increase in 16 years, but the big news for affordable housing is that they also created a credit of $250 per apartment for affordable multifamily housing. The New Multi-Family Water Assistance Program will provide a total of $10 million of assistance to properties serving as many as 40,000 units.

On April 8th, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) proposed a 2.1% increase to the NYC Water Board as well as a new program with a preferential rate for affordable housing projects. UNHP, a long-time advocate for water and sewer rate reform, called for an Affordable Housing Cap Rate last year at the Water Board public hearings and is pleased the DEP has proposed a special program and looks forward to the program rolling out in July.

On April 29th, a group of UNHP staff, affordable housing managers and building owners testified in front of the Water Board at their Bronx hearing held at Hostos Community College. UNHP shared its newly issued “Affordable Water for Affordable Housing: A Proposal for An Affordable Housing Cap for Water and Sewer Rates" report with 5 members present at the Bronx Water Board hearing.

Coinciding with the NYC 2015-16 Water Board Hearings, UNHP released Affordable Water for Affordable Housing: A Proposal for An Affordable Housing Cap for Water and Sewer Rates today. UNHP, a longtime advocate for water and sewer rate reform, is proposing a water and sewer rate cap for affordable housing.

​There will be public hearings in each of the boroughs during the last week of April about the latest water and sewer rate increase proposal. Mayor de Blasio's administration is proposing a 3.24% increase to take effect on July 1, 2015. UNHP will be testifying against the rate increase at the Bronx Hearings. While UNHP acknowledges the increase is the lowest in 10 years, UNHP is calling for a freeze this year and a re-evaluation of how water rates are set for affordable housing next year.

As expected, the New York City Water Board approved a 3.35% water and sewer rate increase to take effect on July 1, 2014. The Board was approved unanimously.