08-27-2015 - City council speaker Mark-Viverito, NYC HPD, CPC, El Barrio, and Enterprise host Neighborhood Preservation HelpDesk

New York, NY New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), The Community Preservation Corporation (CPC), El Barrio's Operation Fightback Inc. (EBOFB), and Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. (Enterprise) are hosting a Neighborhood Preservation HelpDesk for multifamily building owners. This is the latest in a series of HelpDesk events to assist owners of small rental buildings (between five and 50 units) who are interested in finding information on funding for repairs and upgrades, resources to save on operating and energy costs, and tax exemption programs. The HelpDesk will be held at El Barrio’s Artspace PS 109 in East Harlem, an abandoned public school building transformed with financial assistance from HPD into affordable live/work housing and an arts facility. The Neighborhood Preservation HelpDesk is an initiative of HPD, CPC, and Enterprise. Many small building owners operate on thin margins and lack the funding needed to provide for significant repairs and upgrades to ensure the sustainability of their aging properties. The HelpDesk provides a user-friendly, one-stop shop model to bring information about low-cost financing and other resources directly to owners in their neighborhoods. Housing specialists will be on hand to answer questions, identify appropriate funding sources for building improvements, and provide guidance on a range of preservation resources, including city preservation financing programs, violation clearance and property registration, tax abatement programs, energy efficiency programs, and private financing programs with favorable terms for affordable housing. When: Thursday, August 27, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Where: El Barrio’s Artspace Community Gallery 215 E 99th Street (Near Lexington Avenue) Who: Representatives from HPD, CPC, EBOFB and Enterprise RSVP: helpdesknyc.org Contact:Stephanie Ramirez, 212-784-5704 [email protected] Libby Rohlfing [email protected]