Redefining the Landscape
WHGA reaches for new heights in affordable housing

December 3 2019, New York, NY– Each year, the oldest community development non-profit in Harlem, New York, West Harlem Group Assistance, Inc. tasks itself with funding and undertaking various affordable housing projects within Harlem. 

This year, on December 4th 2019, WHGA’s 48th Annual Fundraiser gala will be of heightened importance as newly defined objectives are prioritized. While the organization’s work is centered on providing and preserving affordable housing, its growing aims and objectives reserve a major percentage of its workforce and budget for social programming. WHGA particularly recognizes an increased need for equipping residents with the needed tools to navigate the evolving socio-economic landscape of New York City as residents not only lack access to decent and affordable housing, but also lack the tools to manage their physical and mental health, their finances, the employment sector, etc. 

“For the past 48 years WHGA has tirelessly advocated for the preservation of affordable housing in NYC. 

Our mission’s importance and the need for our work has increased exponentially as the cost of property continues to soar while income security dwindles. In the face of mass gentrification, geographical and socio-economic displacement, we are duty-bound to use our resources and our network to act on behalf of those in our community,” said Donald C. Notice, WHGA Executive Director. “It is up to us to leverage everything at our disposal to educate, empower and provide for our people as access to infrastructure narrows and as living standards change dramatically for lower and middle-income residents. We are here to seek the interest of the people and to represent them as we interface with policymakers, corporations, financial institutions and other key stakeholders that impact the livelihood of residents of this city.” 

Following Harlem’s period of challenges and economic hardship in the 1960s, West Harlem Group Assistance, Inc. was formed in 1971 with the mission to advocate for fairness and equity for residents and to protect affordable housing. WHGA’s results started with programming like the Tenant Interim Release program (TIL) in the 1980s and has continued with completed affordable housing projects valued at over 300 million dollars. While WHGA’s work is centered on providing and preserving affordable housing, the organization’s growing objectives reserve a major percentage of its workforce and budget for social programming. 

This annual event is a forum where esteemed community figures and NYC residents can socialize and celebrate significant community achievements. Guests are encouraged to attend in festive attire and enjoy a cocktail reception, hors d’oeuvres, entertainment and special presentation at The Lenfest Center for the Arts, Columbia University, 615 West 129th Street, New York, NY 10027. To learn more visit bit.ly/whga48 or follow #whga48 on IG, Twitter and Facebook.