Since our inception in 1977 (and incorporation as a non profit in 1978) Banana Kelly has been a bulwark against predatory practices that threaten the sustainability and expansion of low income housing in the South Bronx. This fight has always utilized a grassroots model of engaging with, developing, learning from, and advancing the community visions of local residents. This vision is what shaped Banana Kelly and it is what propels us today.
Through decades of systemic government divestment, the South Bronx has largely been ignored by those forces that have incentive to harass and displace low income New Yorkers for the sake of maximizing profit. However, we are now seeing a wave of development and unscrupulous actors that mimic the actions taken in Manhattan and Brooklyn to displace low income New Yorkers and replace them with higher income residents. Currently, Banana Kelly organizes within our 65+ building portfolio as well as privately owned buildings throughout the Hunts Point and Longwood communities.
Our Organizing team partners with our residents to establish tenant associations in buildings throughout our portfolio. Our team engages with neighborhood associations, block associations, and other community groups who represent their neighborhoods in efforts to create/build community.
We also organize a group of building leaders through the Banana Kelly Resident Council. This Council has members from approximately 20 rent stabilized buildings in our catchment area – the Hunts Point/Longwood neighborhoods. The Resident Council manages and guides campaign work and local community initiatives.
Through our Healthy Communities Initiative, we organize several community gardens and open spaces, each managed by its own local resident committee. The organizing of these open spaces intersects with our larger focus of expanding the accessibility of low-cost, quality food.
For more information contact 718-328-1064 ext 218. For upcoming events visit the calendar page or our Facebook Page.