This Is What We Do: UNHP & Mission – A Series of Virtual Events and Annual Fundraiser
View the What We Do Event Finale here.
“This is What We Do” is a series of events that illustrate the unique ways that UNHP works towards its affordable housing and Bronx community service mission as well as an effort to raise funds for that work through sponsorships and donations. As a community-based housing developer, Bronx-focused researcher, and direct services provider, UNHP uses Research and Action, Community Development, and Direct Service to create and preserve affordable housing and bring resources to our Bronx community. It has been over a year since the pandemic hit the Bronx early and hard. The destabilizing and devastating consequences are unfolding in our community and on affordable multifamily housing in NYC. UNHP continues to be a trusted resource for Bronx residents through our outreach and direct service work at Northwest Bronx Resource Center. Our research and action initiatives have provided timely and relevant information to lenders, policymakers, and affordable housing owners. We invite you to read further to check out our What We Do events, read about their results, and sponsor or donate to the series. You can also register for the event finale on September 23rd at 4 pm.
How can you support UNHP in What We Do as a Sponsor or Community Level Donor?
UNHP is requesting your support as a sponsor or donor for this series of events. While sponsors can no longer be listed on our pint glass, they will be recognized on our website, social media, and at the final presentation. Your support in turn helps us to do What We Do. The names of sponsors will be etched onto a custom-designed pint glass, displayed on our website, listed on our program finale, and in the electronic program. Checks made out to UNHP are preferred for sponsorships, and credit card payment for an additional processing fee and a sponsorship form are available on our DONATE page. Contact Cathy Clarke with questions or for more information at clarke@unhp.org Sponsorship levels
Affordable Housing Sponsor $2,600 Research and Action Supporter $1,600 Bronx Services Supporter $1,000 #ViewsNWBX Supporter $600
Community-level donations are available to our Bronx friends and non-profit partners starting at $25 and up. Donors will receive a pint glass, a Bronx tea towel, and a mention on our website.
You can support UNHP as a sponsor or a community-level donor. As a sponsor, you get your name etched on our custom pint glass, a listing with your logo in the electronic program for the final event, a listing on our website, and our eternal gratitude. Donors and Sponsors will receive the custom pint glass as well as a tea towel created for Art on the Concourse by artist Evelyn Albrow – both gifts purchased via Bronx small businesses. Community-level donations start at $25 and for those giving $100 or more -$10 will go towards backpacks and school supplies for selected NWBRC program users.
For those that know UNHP and our dedication to Water and Sewer Rate reform, it will come as no surprise that the first event in our What We Do series was a virtual Water and Sewer Online Seminar. While we like to joke about our obsession with water and sewer rates – it is really no joke to affordable rental housing – as these costs can eclipse the yearly cost of heating for a building. The May 27th Seminar had over 40 participants primarily, affordable housing owners, managers, and lenders. Read more about our water and sewer rate reform call to action and review the data on this summary blog post.
Events for What We Do: UNHP & Mission Virtual Series and Annual Fundraiser
As an NYC Housing Ambassador since 2017, UNHP has helped thousands of Bronx residents apply for the NYC online affordable housing lottery. If only we could say that thousands have gotten an affordable apartment with our assistance. This three-part blog series shares our experience as a service provider, the experiences of Bronx applicants, and research on whether Housing Connect has served low-income Bronx apartment seekers. Click here for the Housing Connect Blog series.
31 individuals representing 12 multifamily building management and development organizations with over 15,000 units met via Zoom to discuss issues affecting affordable housing. Covid-19 has had a significant impact on the day-to-day running of affordable multifamily housing – tenant and building staff safety, loss of residential and commercial income, new Emergency Rental Relief programs, and the ongoing issues with rising operating cost ( especially insurance premiums) – were just a few of the items on the agenda for this meeting. UNHP looks forward to sharing the issues raised at this convening to inform policy and strategize with affordable housing partners. Read about the issues discussed at the meeting and a summary here.
This really is What We Do! Every year for the last 11 years, UNHP brings together leading lenders to review the changes in multifamily conditions with an eye towards responsible investing, affordability, and ongoing building habitability. UNHP’s Jacob Udell presented information about the state of the multifamily housing market in NYC and led a discussion about the role of multifamily lenders in housing with Chris Beck, Director of CRE Lending Administration from NYCB, and Rajiv Jaswa, Staff Attorney from TakeRoot Justice. Over 70 individuals attended, representing some 36 financial institutions. Click here for a summary of the meeting.
The UNHP Northwest Bronx Resource Center hosted an open webinar in Spanish on August 10 and English on August 12th to provide an overview of current Covid relief programs including the Advanced Child Tax Credit, Emergency Rental Assistance, and the Excluded Workers Program. Jumelia Abrahamson led the overview for the over 50 attendees. NWBRC bilingual staff answered questions, scheduled appointments, and provided any needed referrals. A summary of the Webinar is located here and feel free to share with anyone who may benefit from these programs.
The UNHP Northwest Bronx Resource Center is collaborative in nature as our interconnected free financial and housing services are offered with six other effective groups. The two-day Bronx Nonprofit and Financial Empowerment Exchange led by Jumelia Abrahamson was attended by 39 individuals representing 14 community groups. The Webinar provided an in-depth look at credit and its role in building financial stability as well as an opportunity for sharing challenges and opportunities to help Bronx families and individuals move from housing and financial crisis to stability to financial growth. Read the summary here.
REGISTER HERE! All are welcome as we host a brief webinar to recognize our sponsors and donors. UNHP staff and board will share the successes of What We Do.
Join our growing list of sponsors and donors today!
Eileen and Bill Kruessling – Special UNHP Mission Contribution
Affordable Housing Supporters
- Apple Bank for Savings
- Community Preservation Corporation
- Dime Community Bank
- Dougert Management
- Enterprise Community Partners
- Jimmy G. Construction
- Lemle & Wolff Companies
- Morgan Stanley
- NorthEast Community Bank
- Ridgewood Savings Bank
- Sterling National Bank
- Sycamore Birch Management Company
- John Van Bomel, Esq
- WMW Realty Management
Research & Action Supporters
- In Memory of Theresa-Liu Avitabile
- Brian J. Byrne & Jean McBride-Byrne
- BUILD, Inc
- BNY Mellon
- Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation
- VaNessa LaNier
- New York Community Bank
- Nancy Dillon & Ed O’Brien
- Phipps Houses
- Popular Bank
- Skyline I LLC
- WithumSmith+Brown, PC
- Yougie Iron Works
Bronx Services Supporters
- Benchmark Title Agency
- Brown & Brown of NY
- Emigrant Bank
- Fordham University Government Relations & Urban Affairs
- Highbridge Community Development Corporation
- Jim, Joanie & Jack
- LISC NYC & LISC Institute
- Mike Lappin Associates
- M&T Bank
- Joe Muriana and Annelen Madigan
- OCV Architects
- Santander Bank
- Signature Bank
- Henry Schwalbenberg
- Spring Bank
- The Strojan Family
- TRYAX Realty Management
- Mark A. Willis
#ViewsNWBXSupporters
- ABD Construction
- The Conley Family
- The Clarke Family
- Community Capital Link
- Fordham University Campus Ministry
- Sandra Erickson Real Estate, Inc.
- Spanarkel Browne & Associates – Merrill Lynch
- Johanna C. Kletter
- The Mitchell Family
- The O’Leary/O’Toole Family
- Rockabill
- USA East Province of the Society of Jesus
- Workforce Housing Group
Community Level Donors
Bronxite Supporters
Jumelia Abrahamson * Linda Blackstock * The Blancato Family * Howie Banker & Mary Daily * Peggy & Denis Boyle * Cathie Brady * Eileen and John Buckley * Chuck Brass * Anna Margarita Canero * Byte Sized Computing * The Chiafalo Family * Jean De Paz * Jack Doyle * Roger and Geri Hayes * Caitlin Knipper * Eileen and Bill Kruessling * Chris & Marcia * Yadhira Marte * Jack Marth & Miriam Ford * John Garcia * Heather Hall * The Jost Family * Tom and Susan Kloc * Sam Martinez * Bob & Alicia Mulvena * Anne Kathy & Hugh Rice * Merilyn Rovira * Kate and Dan Ronan * Fran Sanfrantello * William Sanchez * Denis Sullivan * Jacob Udell * Norm Weschler * Meredith & Gerard Wollweber
Northwest Bronx Supporters
- Caitlin Reilly * Donovan Hotz * Matt Ladd * Niki Quiterio
