MISSION & IMPACT

At Ascendant Neighborhood Development (AND), our mission is to empower and uplift the vibrant communities of Northern Manhattan. For over three decades, we have been dedicated to supporting the stabilization and growth of East and Central Harlem neighborhoods, while advocating for the preservation of affordable housing and fostering dignity and respect for thousands of New Yorkers.
With a track record of success since our establishment in 1988, AND has transformed 22 vacant and underutilized buildings into much-needed housing, as well as constructed five new buildings, including three exclusively for low-income elders. By revitalizing entire blocks that had suffered from neglect and decay during times of widespread disinvestment, we have played a vital role in the restoration and renewal of our communities.
Today we face new housing challenges in Harlem, Northern Manhattan, and throughout New York City. The rapid surge in market-rate residential and commercial development has fueled speculation, escalated rental prices, and led to tenant harassment and displacement. As we enter our fourth decade, AND is committed to confronting these challenges head-on.
We are actively engaged in rehabilitating and refinancing our existing buildings to ensure long-term affordability and enhance the quality of life for our residents. Moreover, we are embarking on new and innovative projects that will expand housing opportunities for all members of our community, including two large-scale NYCHA housing retrofit projects that add 2146 units to our pipeline, further demonstrating our commitment to preserving and improving public housing buildings.
Building homes is not solely about bricks and mortar; it is about fostering vibrant, inclusive communities where every individual can thrive. We express our deepest gratitude to you for joining us in our mission to construct homes and raise up communities throughout New York City. Together, we can create a future where affordable housing is preserved, and every resident can live with dignity and opportunity.
You can read more about our work, impact, and upcoming projects in our What We Do  section, and please reach out with any questions or suggestions for projects we can support at   info@ascendant.nyc. Thank you for helping us to build homes and raise up communities in NYC.
You can read more about our work, impact, and upcoming projects in our What We Do  section, and please reach out with any questions or suggestions for projects we can support at info@ascendant.nyc. Thank you for helping us to build homes and raise up communities in NYC.