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The past few months have been a productive and busy time for University Neighborhood Housing Program. The UNHP Building Indicator Project (BIP) was cited in the Department of Financial Services guidelines, we held a successful neighborhood resource fair focusing on credit, hosted a well-attended data workshop for community organizations, and released our financial services report.
In June, the UNHP Northwest Bronx Resource Center held a Credit Extravaganza. Fifty-five neighborhood residents attended the Neighborhood Credit Resource Fair and were able to print out their credit reports, get a brief credit analysis and meet with banks and non-profits around issues linked to credit, public benefits and affordable financial services. It was a packed house, and many benefited from the informative and well-attended event. UNHP was very pleased with the turnout and the depth of information that the participants were able to obtain in the two to three hours of the fair.
UNHP recently released the Financial Services Survey Report. In 2013, we surveyed over 250 Northwest Bronx residents to gather information about financial practices, the use of local banks and financial literacy. The survey revealed some surprising results such as the simultaneous use of banks and pawn shops, as well as the use of banks and check cashers. The struggle to make ends meet faced by many in our community, unfortunately, does not come as a surprise. People also expressed distrust about unclear banking fees and unexpected penalties.
On the banking front, the UNHP Building Indicator Project was cited in the New York State Department of Financial Services Final Guidelines for Bank Lending to Multifamily Properties, under the Community Reinvestment Act released last week.
UNHP also held a data workshop on using BIP data in Microsoft Excel for our 30 subscriber Groups. Nearly 20 individuals representing a dozen organizations from across NYC came to the Fordham Bedford Community Services computer lab in the Northwest Bronx to be trained by Dereck Norville of Hostos and UNHP staff. While some were more familiar with spreadsheets than others, all of the participants (and even presenters and staff) developed their skills in Excel and their familiarity with BIP data.
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UNHP has plenty of achievements to celebrate and would like you to join us at our fundraiser at a new venue this year - the Bronx Beer Hall in the Arthur Avenue retail market! Come on Wednesday, September 10, 2014 for an evening of good company, Bronx craft beers and a mix of pub and classic Italian fare created by David Greco of Mike’s Deli fame. Our most recent Biennial Report details the work outlined here as well as our other achievements over the past two years.
A sponsorship and ticket form can be found here. You can mail us a check (preferred) or donate online. Deadline for sponsorship is August 20th and ticket reservations by September 5th. Your tickets include delicious food, one free drink and unlimited fun.
It is not too late to join our growing list of sponsors! Thank you!
Cask
- Apple Bank for Savings
- Dougert Management
- Morgan Stanley
Growler
- Brian Byrne
- Jim Buckley & Joan Gasser
- Signature Bank
- Skyline I LLC
- Spring Bank
- Tryax Realty Management, Inc.
- Workforce Housing Group
Keg
- Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation
- Koch Group & Company, LLC
Pint
- Lot Info, LLC
- NY Province of the Society of Jesus
Finally, UNHP would like to share some significant neighborhood news. On Monday, August 4th 2014, the Pastor of Our Lady of Refuge Church, Vicar of the Northwest Bronx, and longtime Bronx housing and community activist, Msgr. John Jenik was ordained as the Auxiliary Bishop of New York in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. Read more about Bishop Jenik and his dedication to the Bronx on our blog post, and make sure to sign up for our mailing list!
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