575 E.168th Street

1203 Fulton Avenue

997 Summit Avenue (under construction)

1008 Summit Ave.

865 E. 167th Streeet

(picture not included)

1012 Summit Avenue

History

     The South Bronx CATCH Mutual Housing Association was established in June 2002. CATCH appointed only four board members. These board members maintained control of the SBCMHA until rehabilitation was completed. After rehabilitation, the board became tenant controlled through elections in all three buildings in December of 2002. Resident members of the SBCMHA elected six new members to the board of directors accomplishing the goal. The number of board members increased to ten, three 865 E 167th Street, two from 1203 Fulton Avenue, and one from 575 E 168th Street.

      The three buildings were rehab through the city’s “Third Party Transfer program” and JP Morgan Chase funding. Prior to CATCH gaining control and getting involved with the buildings, “865” and “575” were self-managed and “1203“ had a 7A Administrator. CATCH’s objective is to complete rehab, create a Mutual Housing Association (MHA), hold elections, and institute resident control within all CATCH affiliated buildings.

      By creating a MHA, the SBCMHA members will retain a sense of ownership through a resident controlled MHA. The buildings are owned by the MHA and governed by the MHA Board of Directors. CATCH also serves on the board but holds a minority position and CATCH’s staffs provide ongoing support. Through the MHA, residents will be able to select superintendents of their building, review the management reports and oversee the upkeep and maintenance of the building and the safety of their members.

      The SBCMHA members were prepared for the formulation of the MHA and the expansion of the board of directors by having and continues to have building meetings to keep residents up-to-date- and informed about future plans for their building. CATCH also created different committees such as the construction, relocation, house rules and screening committees comprised mostly of residents. Prior to the rehab, the relocation and construction committees were created. The relocation committee was created to help supervise, and arrange moving dates for residents. The purpose of the construction committee was to allow some of the residents to walk through the buildings and observe the work of the contractors. After the completion of rehab, screening committees and house rules committees were created. The screening committees gave the residents the chance to interview and decide who would reside in the buildings. The house rules committees gave residents the ability to set rules to help govern and make their building a respectful environment in which to live.

      Since the expansion of the board of directors in December 2002, the board has been meeting (at least once a month) to address various issues relating to the residents and the development of the MHA.