The Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDco) is a community development organization founded on the radically simple idea that all people deserve healthy, vibrant communities. We build award-winning, sustainable, affordable homes – but our work is not over when our buildings are complete. WHEDco believes that to be successful, affordable housing must be anchored in strong communities of which residents can be proud.
WHEDco’s mission is to create and bridge access in the South Bronx to resources that support thriving neighborhoods: from high-quality early education and after-school programs, to fresh, healthy food, cultural programming, and economic opportunity.”
Affordable Green Homes
WHEDco’s first development was the conversion of the long-abandoned Morrisania Hospital into the award-winning Urban Horizons Economic Development Center. The transformed building today features 132 energy-efficient, affordable apartments, our Early Childhood Discovery Center, a training center for childcare providers, a commercial kitchen that incubates small food businesses, family support services, and more.
Our second building, Intervale Green, opened in the Crotona East neighborhood as the nation’s largest Energy Star-certified affordable housing complex. Today, it anchors WHEDco’s family services and is the temporary home of the Bronx Music Heritage Center (BMHC), a community performance and event space celebrating Bronx music.
In 2020, WHEDco opened our third and most ambitious development yet: Bronx Commons, a mixed-use development that features 305 affordable homes, ground-level retail, recreational space, and the permanent home of the BMHC.
Today, WHEDco programs reach over 40,000 people a year, helping Bronx residents build strong neighborhoods they can be proud of.
Education & Youth Development
Every child deserves quality learning opportunities from an early age. Each year, WHEDco fosters high academic achievement for over 3,100 children from infancy to high school, through our Early Childhood Discovery Center, our Home-Based Childcare Program, and our After School and Teen programs.
Community & Economic Development
In a difficult economic climate, small business development is an effective pathway toward financial security. Each year, WHEDco helps over 500 individuals launch and operate small businesses through our Home-Based Childcare Programs, Bronx CookSpace and Commercial Revitalization initiatives.
Family Support & Counseling Services
Every parent needs help to ensure that their children grow and learn in a healthy environment. WHEDco provides a support system to over 3,000 families each year, connecting them to physicians, mental health counselors, nutritionists, public benefits, housing and employment assistance, and emergency food.
Bronx Music Heritage Center
Arts and culture give communities a sense of pride. Last year, 5,000 people attended free arts programming offered by our Bronx Music Heritage Center.