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Urban Homesteading Assistance U-Hab

EIN 13-2902798 · New York, NY

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood72 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

UHAB EMPOWERS LOW-TO-MODERATE-INCOME RESIDENTS TO TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR HOUSING AND ENHANCES COMMUNITIES BY CREATING STRONG TENANT ASSOCIATIONS AND LASTING AFFORDABLE CO-OPS.

Income
$6.5 million
Spending
$6.4 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
11.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 48%
Employees
51
Volunteers
18
Highest pay
$247,816, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 78% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 32% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $3.6 million spent. TRAINING: THE TRAINING DEPARTMENT CONTINUED OFFERING CLASSES TO HDFCS THROUGH OUR HPD CONTRACT AND CONTRACTS WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPERS. TRAINING TOPICS SPAN AREAS FROM PHYSICAL AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT TO GOVERNANCE TO REGULATORY COMPLIANCE. EXAMPLES INCLUDE, ENERGY EFFICIENCY: COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR BOARD ABOUT ENERGY PROJECTS, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IN NYC, HDFCS AND THE HOUSING MOVEMENT, HELP THE SECRETARY TAKE MINUTES, CAN YOUR CO-OP GO SMOKE FREE?, PPP WORKSHOP, AND RENT + MORTGAGE CANCELLATION ACT 2020.
  2. $675,271 spent. TENANT ORGANIZING: OVER THE YEARS, UHAB ORGANIZERS HAVE REACHED OUT TO AND ENGAGED THOUSANDS OF TENANTS IN OVER 700 BUILDINGS ACROSS NEW YORK CITY. BEGINNING IN 2018, THE DEPARTMENT FOCUSED ITS EFFORTS ON ORGANIZING TENANT ASSOCIATIONS IN EAST BROOKLYN (BROWNSVILLE, EAST FLATBUSH AND EAST NEW YORK) IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BROOKLYN LEGAL SERVICES, AND LAUNCHED A TENANT-LED NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP CALLED HOPE (HOUSING ORGANIZERS FOR PEOPLE EMPOWERMENT). AS PART OF THE CITYWIDE STABILIZING NYC INITIATIVE, WE ORGANIZE IN BUILDINGS OWNED BY PREDATORY EQUITY LANDLORDS AND COLLABORATE WITH OTHER HOUSING ORGANIZING GROUPS IN BROOKLYN TO DEVELOP BOROUGH-WIDE CAMPAIGNS. THIS YEAR, WE CONTINUED TO DEVELOP A BASE OF TENANTS' ASSOCIATIONS IN EASTERN BROOKLYN WHILE SUPPORTING CITY AND STATEWIDE EFFORTS TOWARDS HOUSING JUSTICE IN NEW YORK. OUR LEAD ORGANIZER AND TWO TENANT ORGANIZERS SUPPORTED 12 BUILDINGS CONTAINING 1089 UNITS IN DEVELOPING CAMPAIGNS TO WIN REPAIRS FROM THEIR LANDLORDS AND TO STOP DISPLACEMENT THROUGH TENANT-CENTERED CAMPAIGNS. ADDITIONALLY, WE STARTED HOLDING OUR FIRST EVER KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WORKSHOPS FOCUSING ON THE NEW GOOD CAUSE EVICTION PROTECTIONS WON BY THE TENANT MOVEMENT LAST YEAR. ORGANIZERS DID TARGETED OUTREACH TO BUILDINGS IN BROWNSVILLE THAT QUALIFY FOR THE NEW PROTECTIONS AND SHARED RESOURCES AND INFORMATION ON HOW TO ACCESS GOOD CAUSE AND STOP DISPLACEMENT IN UNREGULATED BUILDINGS THAT ARE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE.
  3. $588,871 spent. MEMBER SERVICES PROVIDES TOOLS AND SUPPORT THAT DIRECTLY SAVE MONEY FOR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT FUND CORPORATIONS (HDFC) CO-OPERATIVES, A UNIQUE TYPE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, IN ORDER TO SUSTAIN THE COMMUNITY OF HDFC MEMBERS AND FAMILIES. HDFCS ARE OPERATED AND MANAGED BY THEIR RESIDENTS TO REMAIN AFFORDABLE IN PERPETUITY. UHAB'S CLIMATE AND RESILIENCY TEAM CONNECTS CO-OP RESIDENTS WITH RESOURCES AND ACCESS TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY MEASURES TO KEEP HOUSING SAFE, HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE. MEMBERSHIP ENGAGEMENT: THERE ARE 400 HDFC CO-OPS WHO'VE JOINED UHAB TO USE CO-OP ACCOUNTING PROGRAMS, ENROLL IN BULK PURCHASING PROGRAMS, AND ACCESS BENEFITS SUCH AS DISCOUNTED REGISTRATION RATES FOR THE CNYC HOUSING CONFERENCE. BULK PURCHASING PROGRAMSUHAB FUEL: UHAB ENGAGES HDFCS TO JOIN OUR BULK FUEL PURCHASING PROGRAM, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ENERGO TO SAVE ON DELIVERY OF OIL AND NATURAL GAS FOR HEATING SOURCES, AND TO CONNECT TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES. THERE IS MONTHLY INCOME FOR THIS PROGRAM.FLIP INSURANCE: WHILE THE INSURANCE MARKET CONTINUES TO BE A HARD MARKET, THE FLIP INSURANCE PROGRAM AS OF MARCH 2025 INSURES 367 CO-OPS TOTALING 5,667 UNITS WITH TIV $2,090,099,478.CO-OP ACCOUNTING PROGRAMSCO-OP ACCOUNTING: OUR BOOKKEEPING SERVICES PROVIDES REGULAR MONTHLY SERVICES TO CLIENTS TO ASSIST BUILDINGS WITH THEIR FINANCIAL TRACKING. WE HAVE NEW CLIENTS FOR CO-OP ACCOUNTING, INCLUDING NEW CONNECTED BOOK$ SUBSCRIBERS AND HDFCS REQUESTING ASSISTANCE IN MEETING COMPLIANCE FOR PAYROLL DEADLINES, ADDRESSING TROUBLESHOOTING AND SITUATIONS OF PAST DUE TAXES. OUR TEAM CONTINUES TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ON FINANCIAL FILING REQUIREMENTS, AUDITED STATEMENTS, BASIC AND ADVANCED ACCOUNTING TOPICS. CLIMATE AND RESILIENCY PROGRAMSWEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (WAP) FOR HDFCS: UHAB AND PARTNERS ASSOCIATION FOR ENERGY AFFORDABILITY (AEA) LAUNCHED A CAMPAIGN TO ENROLL HDFC BUILDINGS IN THE FEDERAL PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY NYS HOMES AND COMMUNITY RENEWAL (HCR) IN APRIL 2024. THIS IS A TEMPORARY SUBGRANTEE CONTRACT AWARD TO WEATHERIZE HUNDREDS OF LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLD UNITS. MEMBER HIRED PROJECT ASSOCIATES TO ENROLL HDFCS AND THEIR SUPPORT THEIR RESIDENTS AS THEY COMPLETE WEATHERIZATION PROJECTS. CO-OPS GO SOLAR: UHAB LAUNCHED THE THIRD ROUND OF OUR CO-OPS GO SOLAR CAMPAIGN IN JANUARY 2025. THIS PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED BY AN AWARD FROM THE NEW YORK STATE ENERGY RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (NYSERDA) TO ASSIST BUILDING OWNERS IN THE HDFC COMMUNITY TO ACCESS RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGIES TO INSTALL ROOFTOP SOLAR AND ACCESS COMMUNITY SOLAR PROGRAMS. MULTIFAMILY ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM: UHAB PERFORMS OUTREACH AND LEAD GENERATION FOR THE MULTIFAMILY ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM AND AFFORDABLE MULTIFAMILY ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES INCENTIVE REBATES TO BUILDING OWNERS FOR ENERGY CONSERVATION MEASURES SUCH AS AIR SEALING, LIGHTING, AND GAS HEATING SYSTEMS. UHAB COMPLETED A NUMBER OF PROJECTS BRINGING IN-UNIT MEASURES TO HDFC SHAREHOLDERS. UHAB PARTNERS WITH UTILITY COMPANY AND ENERGY AGENCY PARTNERS TO PILOT ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE HDFC COMMUNITY.CLEAN HEAT FOR CO-OPS: UHAB'S MULTI-YEAR CAMPAIGN IS SUPPORTED THROUGH AN AWARD WITH NYSERDA TO ASSIST BUILDING OWNERS IN THE HDFC COMMUNITY TO UPGRADE SYSTEMS FOR SPACE HEATING, HOT WATER, AND STOVE APPLIANCES. YOUTH GREEN EQUITY AND CLEAN ENERGY INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS: SEVEN INTERNS WERE PLACED AND SUPPORTED THROUGH THE NYSERDA CLEAN ENERGY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM AS PART OF A STATEWIDE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE. ALL INTERNS RECEIVED UHAB'S YOUTH GREEN EQUITY TRAINING. AS AN APPROVED HOST ORGANIZATION FOR THE NYSERDA CLEAN ENERGY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM, UHAB IS ABLE TO HIRE YOUTH WHO ARE UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS AND RECEIVES SALARY REIMBURSEMENTS TO OFFSET A PERCENTAGE OF THE INTERN SALARIES. GREEN TRAININGS AND EDUCATION: MEMBER SERVICES CONTINUES TO OFFER A RANGE OF TRAININGS FOR THE HDFC COMMUNITY. OUR STAFF HAVE DEVELOPED AND EXPANDED TRAININGS ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND HOW TO COMPLETE EFFICIENCY PROJECTS. LOCAL LAW 97 SUPPORT AND PROGRAM REFERRALS: UHAB JOINED A PARTNERSHIP FOR A MULTIFAMILY HDFC BUILDING PILOT THAT WILL SUPPORT DECARBONIZATION PLANNING FOR HDFCS WHO MUST COMPLY WITH LOCAL LAW 97. OUR CLIMATE & RESILIENCY TEAM CONTINUES TO MONITOR THE LATEST GUIDANCE AND DEVELOPMENTS ON LOCAL LAW 97, AND ASSIST HDFC LEADERS TO ACCESS INFORMATION, PROGRAM REFERRALS, AND GUIDANCE TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES IN THEIR EFFORTS TO MEET THE CODE COMPLIANCE AND REPORTING IN ADVANCE OF THE 2025 DEADLINES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 1978.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

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