Dear %1,

This summer marks the 28th anniversary of University Neighborhood Housing Program. From the start, UNHP saw itself as a player on a team that would work to preserve and create affordable housing in the Bronx. All these years later, we can point to many accomplishments achieved by a team that includes other non-profit community and housing organizations, for-profit organizations, lenders, investors, and government. Our work to redevelop affordable housing and assist Bronx homeowners, highlighted below, are just the most recent examples of that team effort.

New York Times reporter Michael Powell's recent article, Government Can't Help? Tell That to the South Bronx, reminds us all of the importance of public and private collaborations. The federal debt, budget and revenue battles cannot be fought without imagining the impact of a possible loss of government financial support on our neighborhoods. We have never counted on government to do it all; we do expect government to play a position on our team.

Powell follows up this piece with a blog posting, How the South Bronx's Ruins Became Fertile Ground, focusing on the rebirth of the Bronx.

Daniel Massey's article in Crain's, Three Cheers for the Blossoming Bronx, strikes some of the same chords noting that public and private investment in affordable housing has encouraged growth in Bronx population, private businesses and jobs.

Working with other community groups and the Office of Councilman Fernando Cabrera, UNHP held a homeowner resource fair on July 13th at the Davidson Community Center in Mount Hope. The fair was held just three weeks prior to the New York City lien sale which would adversely affect the over 4,000 Bronx homeowners who were behind on their taxes and/or water and sewer bills in July.

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), HPD and NYC Department of Finance assisted homeowners directly to resolve city liens. The Parodneck Foundation and West Bronx Housing provided foreclosure prevention counseling and The Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition Weatherization project and SustainableSouth Bronx provided weatherization kits and information to homeowners. The Office of the Comptroller offered mediation services to homeowners.

Overall,69 homeowners attended the fairand 25 people worked with DEP to make payments, get liens dismissed or obtain general billing information. Another 18 attendees sought help from HPD and the Department of Finance and 10 homeowners received foreclosure prevention assistance at the fair and were able to schedule follow-up appointments.

The event was covered by the Daily News: Bronxites scramble to avoid lien list; Home-saving clinic big draw for residents facing forclosure

Another recent collaborative success is the start of renovations at a large affordable housing project known as West Farms.West Farms, an eight building, 526 unit, Section 8 affordable housing complex built in 1973, is the type of private/public partnership that was highlighted in both the Crain's andTimes articles. UNHP partnered with Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation to acquire and renovate the fully occupied complex. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development is providing rental assistance and the NYC Housing and Development Corporation and the City's Department of Housing, Preservation and Development and combined with Enterprise Community Partners and JP Morgan Chase to provide $91 million in financing and tax credits to accomplish the job. The renovations comply with the Enterprise Green Communities criteria and include new boilers, bathrooms, kitchens and public areas. Pictured here West Farms tenants, Anita Walker and Yvonne Adorno, get a round of applause from the officials and developers of the project at the July 20th press conference.

West Farms tenants were interviewed and the City's press conference was covered on NY 1: Bloomberg Administration Preserves, Creates 125K Affordable Housing Units

Finally, UNHP welcomes your support, involvement and interest in our work. Please join us at the 2011 UNHP Bronx Ale House Fundraiser on Tuesday, September 13 starting at 4:30 or become an event sponsor by August 15. Tickets are $20 and include food and one free drink. Sponsors can get their names etched on the pint glasses we will be using that evening. The Bronx Ale House is located at 216 West 238th Street in the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx.

Information on sponsorship and tickets is available here (PDF).

Sincerely,

Jim Buckley
Executive Director