Promesa has a long-standing dedication to improving community life.

• Community Development

Our commitment to building neighborhoods spans over 25 years and reflects an understanding of the complexity of community development that reaches far beyond the provision of affordable housing or local business development.

• Promesa Housing Development Fund Corporation (HDFC)

It takes an enormous effort to end poverty. Promesa develops, owns, and manages some of the most difficult housing stock in the city. Since 1990, Promesa has been involved as a manager, developer and/or owner of more than 15 residential housing developments in the Bronx.

Community Development

Promesa believes that lasting community development is more than just bricks and mortar. Indeed communities are transformed because families, schools, businesses, houses of worship, service providers, public and private agencies work together.

Promesa has been instrumental in the revitalization of the Mt. Hope and Mt. Eden neighborhoods of the South Bronx by helping individuals and families take ownership of their community's future.

Promesa believes that strong, accessible resident leaders are fundamental to improving housing conditions and neighborhood services. To this end, the Promesa Summer Youth Leadership Institute was established to provide 10 to 25 young adults, between the ages of 14 to 18, with summer internships at the agency. As members of the Institute, students participate in lively roundtable discussions with key policy makers and borough-wide leaders in order to address critical issues confronting their communities. By the end of the summer, members learn how to develop the skills that will help them become future neighborhood leaders. Since the program’s inception, all Institute members have graduated high school and gone on to pursue college degrees.

The Promesa Community Coalition for Neighborhood Leadership was created to cultivate active community participation among adults in the community. Formed with the assistance of a long-time neighborhood leader, and leaders of the new Topping Avenue Homeowners Association, the Coalition promotes collaborative efforts among tenants and homeowners, as well as local businesses, in the Mt. Hope and Mt. Eden neighborhoods. Through its guiding principle, "Strengthening the Voices of the Community to Fulfill the Promise," the Coalition addresses important community issues, such as gaps in quality services, and develops long-term strategies to bring about effective change. The Coalition functions as the link between Promesa and the communities it serves.

Regulatory Agency:

• NYC Department of Youth & Community Development

Eligibility Requirements:

• Resident, organization or business must be located in the Bronx

Services Provided:

• Technical assistance to neighborhood and youth leaders in community-based efforts
• Assist in organizational development
• Liaison with governmental, elected officials and borough-based institutions involved in housing and community development activities

Promesa Housing Development Fund Corporation (HDFC)

In its early years, Promesa worked almost exclusively to improve the health of its clients through the provision of substance abuse treatment programs. However, the organization soon realized that there was more to healthy clients than access to medical care. Clients needed housing and education and a community where families could grow. As a result, Promesa expanded its services to include education and vocational training and created a housing development fund corporation to work on meeting the community’s housing and community development needs.

The HDFC is Promesa’s primary housing and community development arm and functions as follows:

Property Management
Today, Promesa HDFC owns, and manages some of the most difficult housing stock in New York City. Since 1990, Promesa has been involved as a manager or owner of more then 20 residential housing developments in the Bronx and Manhattan. As a property manager, Promesa’s goal is not only to provide quality, safe, and affordable housing for low and moderate income households but to also provide the  social service and educational programs that will serve to strengthen the tenant families and promote self sufficiency. Our housing professionals encourage and challenge tenants to be involved in their communities and become concerned residents and neighborhood leaders.

More than 300 families, in 15 separate residential buildings, call Promesa-owned properties their home. Promesa dignifies its tenants by seeing them as members of one large family and as such, manages its properties with a “holistic service” philosophy, combining property management with comprehensive social service delivery. The result is a more stable tenant base.

Properties owned by Promesa include:

• 851 Tinton Avenue, Bronx, NY – 20 Units
• 1074 Summit Avenue Bronx, NY – 32 Units
• 437 East 135 Street Bronx, NY – 6 Units
• 830 East 147 Street Bronx, NY – 6 Units
• 418 East 148 Street Bronx, NY – 8 Units
• 765 East 166 Street Bronx, NY – 33 Units
• 88 West 169 Street Bronx, NY – 13 Units
• 934 Ogden Avenue Bronx, NY – 16 Units
• 946 Anderson Avenue Bronx, NY – 15 Units
• 1087 Summit Avenue Bronx, NY – 22 Units
• 1680 Clay Avenue Bronx, NY – 22 Units
• 1705 Anthony Avenue Bronx, NY – 22 Units
• 1707 Topping Avenue Bronx, NY – 33 Units
• 1794 Anthony Avenue Bronx, NY – 29 Units

Properties managed by Promesa include:

• 1186 Washington Avenue Bronx, NY – 30 Units
• 366 East 154 Street Bronx, NY – 25 Units
• 1134 College Avenue Bronx, NY 11 Units
• 1254 Morris Avenue Bronx, NY – 12 Units

In 2002, Promesa merger/affiliated with the East Harlem Council for Community Improvement Inc. (EHCCI) a multi-service organization in Manhattan. As part of the merger agreement, EHCCI transferred the management of the following two properties to the Promesa HDFC.

• La Fortaleza Apartments: 25 East 131 Street, (a 5-story, 10 family walkup)
• The Park Plaza Apartments: 1707 Park Avenue, (a 5-story, 12 family walkup)

In addition, Promesa’s HDFC participates in the following low income housing tax credit programs:

• Urban Renaissance Collaboration (URC)
• Special Initiative Program (SIP)

Special Needs Housing
In recognizing that there are groups in our community that need special attention, special treatment and specialized housing, Promesa has developed a number of residential facilities under the following special needs housing programs.

Homeless Housing Assistance Program (HHAP)
Promesa’s Homeless Housing Assistance Program (HHAP) is designed as a permanent congregate for single homeless adults, domestic partners and families where at least one member has been afflicted with HIV/AIDS. It’s a sponsored-based rental assistance (SRA) program through which eligible individuals,  partners and families receive HUD funds for rent subsidies through the office of HIV/AIDS Service Administration (HASA).

Shelter Plus Care
Promesa’s Shelter Plus Care (SPC) program is designed to link rental assistance with supportive services for homeless, disabled persons and their families. The program serves homeless persons who have chronic problems with alcohol, drugs, or both, and who may also have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or AIDS-related diseases. The idea is to stabilize the housing situation while working on the other problems faced by the tenants.

The SPC Program is a sponsored-based rental assistance (SRA) program in which eligible homeless persons receive HUD funds for rent subsidies through the NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services’ (OASAS). The Shelter Plus Care Program provides rental assistance for up to 5 years. 

Construction Management
Promesa HDFC also acts as a construction manager and plans, directs, and coordinates the construction and pre-construction phases on a number of projects, Promesa monitors and supervises the construction process from the conceptual development stage through final construction, making sure that the projects is completed within the time allotted and within budget parameters. The agency often works with engineers, architects, and others who are involved in the construction process to insure the successful completion of the project. HPD’s  HomeFirst Program is a good example of Promesa’s construction management experience. The project called for the complete renovation of 5 single family homes in the Bronx. From the approval of blue prints to the development of punch list, Promesa HDFC supervised every aspect of  the construction of these homes. All five have been completed and 4 of the homes have been sold.

Housing Counseling & Neighborhood Preservation
The Hellgate Management Corporation acts as Promesa’s housing counseling and advocacy component by assisting tenants and landlords through a wide variety of services while advocating for the continued development of affordable housing and the promotion of home ownership.

The mission of the Hellgate Management Corporation is to assess, plan and implement housing related strategies for the benefit of residents of East Harlem and the Bronx. The mission not only involves working directly with those in need of housing but incorporates bringing together landlords and community based organizations with government and private financial institutions to improve housing conditions and revitalize communities. Hellgate was founded on the belief that adequate affordable housing is a necessity for all. The agency has worked towards the fulfillment of that need since 1979. In addition, the corporation engages in activities that improve the housing and economic conditions of community residents and help to preserve the neighborhood through early detection and intervention.

Housing Counseling & Tenant Education
Hellgate believes that the best tenant is an educated and informed one. As a result, the agency has developed a comprehensive Housing Resource Center where visitors can find information on virtually any topic relating to housing in New York State. From information on Lead Paint Poisoning to Eviction Prevention, community residents can avail themselves of the many pamphlets, brochures and data sheets available at the Center. In addition, Hellgate’s staff provide’s housing related individual and group counseling on an as needed basis. Individual counseling can include; landlord/tenant dispute mediation, relocation assistance, the procurement of financial assistance, and help in applying for public housing and rent subsidies such as Section 8. Group counseling services include tenant organizing activities, and workshops on building safety and crime control, eviction prevention and personal finances and budgeting.

Landlord/Homeowner Assistance and Neighborhood Preservation
The Hellgate Management Corporation works directly with landlords and homeowners by providing information on and assistance in procuring low interest home improvement loans and tax abatement program assistance. In addition, the agency sponsors workshops on building and home maintenance and management throughout the year. Potential homeowners can benefit from the agency’s First Time Homebuyer seminars while building owners can avail themselves of Hellgate’s assistance with Voluntary Repair Agreements, and the facilitation of code enforcement inspections and violation removal.

As a Neighborhood Preservation Company, Hellgate works closely with Community Planning Board #11 in compiling and analyzing community demographics and housing stock data in order to better assess the community’s needs and develop plans that will fulfill those needs.

Throughout its 26 years of service, the Hellgate Management Corporation has taken pride in being at the forefront of the battle to preserve our community. The agency will continue to work with elected officials, architects, developers and local residents to stop the deterioration and continue to rebuild our neighborhood.

Future Vision & Development

HUD Certified Housing Counseling Agency
The Hellgate Management Corporation is currently funded by the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal to provide the services described above in Community Planning Board #11 in East Harlem. Future plans include expanding our service area into the Bronx and acquiring certification as a Housing Counseling Agency from the federal government (HUD).

$50 Million Investment in Affordable Home-Ownership in East Harlem
Promesa Systems, through it’s corporate subsidiary the East Harlem Community Council for Improvement (EHCCI) has proposed the development of an affordable cooperative housing residence at 120th Street and First Avenue in Manhattan. The two agencies are working closely with Community Planning Board 11 and propose building a thirteen story building containing 166 residential units, 43,000 square feet of community space and a 27 car parking lot. This project will not only help to provide additional home-ownership opportunities, but will also provide space for the enhancement of  and/or addition to the services provided by EHCCI’s Multi-Service Center.  

The project’s total development costs are estimated at approximately $50 million. Even with this price tag the project is financially structured to ensure that the households in the low-income units will pay no more than 33% of their income for the right to own a home.