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University Neighborhood Housing Program
2009 Affordable Housing ForumEnvisioning the Future of the Red Zone
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Breakfast 8:30 -9:00 a.m. - Forum 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Fordham University's Rose Hill Campus, The Bronx
Faculty Lounge, McGinley CenterReport Summary:
The same west Bronx neighborhoods that were at the epicenter of community organizing, community development and preservation activities during the past thirty years now provide much of the City's affordable housing in the form of privately owned, rent stabilized properties with relatively low rents. While maintaining affordable neighborhoods in New York City is good news, there is a convergence of other statistical indicators for the same geographic area that demonstrates signs of distress. The frequency with which our neighborhoods color red on maps indicating various forms of housing, social and economic distress gave us the idea of this forum, Envisioning the Future of the Red Zone, where we will address this convergence of negative indicators and offer a framework for discussing what it means for these neighborhoods going forward.Following a presentation of neighborhood and borough level data and maps (including brand new neighborhood data from the 2008 Housing and Vacancy Survey), University Neighborhood Housing Program will host an interactive panel discussion focusing on the neighborhoods in the Red Zone to address this convergence of negative indicators and discuss what they mean going forward. The discussion will also focus on the ways that the institutions, lenders, public agencies and community groups that are responsible for the successful community development efforts of the past three decades can work together to envision a future that builds upon that success for the Red Zone.
- Roger Hayes, UNHP Board (Moderator)
- Raquel Batista, Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights
- Nancy Biberman, WHEDCo
- Peter Mosbacher, Amalgamated Bank
Report & Forum Follow-up:
The demographic data presented at the forum (and available in the report) paints a mixed picture of the west Bronx neighborhoods where low and moderate income New Yorkers can still find affordable apartments, yet we see growing concentrations of poverty and households with a severe rent burden.The housing market statistics offered a framework for some immediate concrete plans of action. University Neighborhood is currently working closely with HPD to identify physically and financially distressed properties using our Building Indicator Project (BIP) database. We are also collaborating on identify and reaching out to the top lenders involved with these distressed properties.
The glut of vacant and half-completed buildings throughout our neighborhoods offer opportunities for creating affordable housing or rewarding speculation. The NYC Acquisition Loan Fund has been used to acquire property throughout the City and might be a tool to create more affordable housing now; however, the limitations on the fund may require the creation of a different type of fund that could allow non-profit or for-profit owners to take advantage of these opportunities without unnecessary burdensome restrictions. We are planning to follow up with further discussion on this point to see how to make the Acquisition Loan Fund more flexible or what type of fund would need to be created.
The financial services data presented at the forum also offered clear steps to be taken. In order to address the dearth of bank branches in the Bronx, UNHP continues to seek a lender partner to apply for the designation of a Banking Development Distrcit in Bedford Park. We are in talks with Congressman Serrano's office to stave off legislation that would allow payday lenders to begin operations in states like New York that currently ban the usurious practice. We are also currently analyzing data from our free tax preparation program along with our partners ARIVA and Food Bank for NYC to make improvements for next year, trying to make a larger dent in the number of west Bronx families who utilize high-cost Refund Anticipation Loans. Additionally, our summer series of financial education seminars launched last week.
One other main area for follow-up was establishing connections and opportunities for collaboration between area nonprofits that offer different types of services. To assist in this follow-up, we are asking forum attendees to respond to a few follow-up questions. The responses will help inform our work in the neighborhoods, and will help us coordinate efforts in the Bronx going forward.
For those of you were unable to attend the forum, we are more than happy to receive any feedback from you regarding the report or our follow-up work.
Finally, for those of you at nonprofit organizations that serve the Bronx, we encourage you to check out the Bronx Nonprofit Corner on the Borough President's website, and to register your organization for the upcoming Bronx Nonprofit Resource Guide. Thanks again for your participation and collaboration going forward.
