HCCI Past, Present, and Future
Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement (HCCI) and its affiliates continuously demonstrate a holistic approach to community development, generating more than $500 million in operating revenues over its 38-year history. Through advocacy and direct implementation of an array of affordable housing options serving very low-, low-, and moderate-income households in the Harlem community and beyond, HCCI has driven capitalization of housing investments greater than $750 million dollars.
Although Harlem continues as the hallmark community of HCCI’s mission, HCCI serves all boroughs in New York City, and has expanded to regional locations nationwide. During the last eight years, it has been my honor to lead our organization in expanding its services locally, nationally, and internationally. Our core programs include affordable housing construction, small business development, health and wellness initiatives, and an array of essential support services.
Locally, HCCI worked with other developers. With Exact Capital we developed the Victoria Theatre site in Harlem into the Renaissance NY Harlem hotel, now a premium tourism and cultural destination as well as an affordable housing complex. Throughout the past 10 years, HCCI preserved over 1,500 units of very low income housing in Harlem. Two hundred cooperative homeownership apartments are currently under construction.
Regionally, the City of Newark, NJ awarded HCCI a site for development of a 50+ unit affordable housing complex to serve very low-income families in the region. We look forward to continuing working with our public and private stakeholders in New Jersey. Our work goes on in Alabama, Georgia, Nevada, and South Carolina while other regional projects are in the planning stages.
Internationally, work with the Resurgence Conference is taking place November 22-24, 2024 in Queens, NY. This crucial event seeks to highlight the status of Black businesses in New York, America, and globally. HCCI advises conference delegates on building a network of houses of worship on the continent of Africa, including South Africa, Mozambique, Ghana, and Nigeria— modeled after the HCCI collaborative framework. We are confident our model is replicable in any context.
HCCI, its Board of Directors, executives, and staff are grateful to our members and supporters for your continued partnership. Your investment always goes toward empowering the communities most in need.
HCCI’s collaborative approach helps revitalize Harlem and beyond. Impacting the lives of our residents, we also serve as a model to other communities. Building on the foundation laid by the founders of HCCI, our legacy of service continues as we do more to empower, revitalize, and build communities.
We Can Always Do More to Make A Difference!
Malcolm A. Punter, Ed.D.,
President & CEO
