Bronx, NY MBD Community Housing Corp., a leading community organization devoted to increasing affordable housing opportunities and improving the quality of life in the borough, has received the New York Housing Conference 2018 Non-Profit of the Year Award.

Founded in 1974 as a coalition of volunteers determined to save their community from the devastating impact of arson, disinvestment, abandonment, and population loss in the Crotona Park East section of Bronx Community District 3, MBD has been a catalyst in the revitalization of the community through the development of new and renovated affordable housing and the restoration of vital public services.

“For more than four decades, MBD has successfully sponsored, constructed and renovated over 3,500 units of affordable housing in The Bronx,” said Derrick Lovett, MDB president and CEO.

In addition, “MBD played a key role in commercial investment and development in sponsoring construction of the New Horizons Retail Center, which created hundreds of jobs and attracted major retailers, including national franchise chains which strengthened the economic and social fabric of our community,” said Lovett. “My colleagues and I are very proud of this recognition by the New York Housing Conference,” he said.

Under Lovett’s leadership, MBD has successfully restructured its portfolio and broadened its pipeline of new construction and preservation affordable housing projects partnering with leading developers. These include:

• MBD, in partnership with Signature Urban Properties and Monandnock Development and Construction Inc., are developing what will prove to be the largest-ever private real estate project in The Bronx. This multi phased project will include 10 residential buildings comprised of 1,300 affordable housing units.
• MBD is part of the team awarded the PS 31 project, a joint venture with Trinity Financial.  The development team was selected through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process to build a 100% affordable building. This project will be the largest residential Passive House built in New York City to date, and consume 30% of the energy a conventional housing project typically consumes. The three-story base will house educational and medical facilities, aa well as cultural and community spaces.  This 27-story building will consist of approximately 240 affordable housing units.
• MBD, in partnership with L&M Development Partners and Camber Property Group, were awarded the 722-unit rehab conversion of NYCHA’s Baychester and Murphy Houses.

The New York Housing Conference is a nonprofit affordable housing policy and advocacy organization that supports decent affordable housing for all New Yorkers by seeking to advance City, State and Federal policies and funding to support the development and preservation of affordable housing.

MBD also provides services such as building maintenance, tenant account management and financial management as it seeks to improve the quality of life in its Bronx community through affordable housing development, economic development and the provision of human services.