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AILEEN AVERY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT FUND CORPORATION
NEW YORK, NY · EIN 133835943 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE L21 · Housing & Shelter · Small ($100K-$1M) · whgainc.org
revenue
$335K
expenses
$407K
net assets
$-1.6M
employees
1
volunteers
5
program ratio
84%
mission · from form 990

the organization was organized to provide housing to indigent families. its purpose is to relieve congestion and overcrowding in housing among poor families, mentally disadvantaged persons and the homeless.

profile · synthesized from sources

West Harlem Group Assistance, Inc. (WHGA) is a community development corporation based in New York City that develops and preserves affordable housing, operates social service programs, and supports economic empowerment for low- to moderate-income families. The organization provides housing stabilization, financial literacy, food access, and case management services primarily in Harlem. WHGA also manages senior housing and supports first-time homebuyers through counseling and referrals.

named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Communities for Healthy Food (CfHF)
Operates a food hub providing client-choice pantry services, SNAP enrollment, nutrition education, and a Mobile Food Hub for homebound seniors in Harlem.
Convent Avenue Family Living Center
Emergency shelter and transitional housing program for families, providing case management, housing referrals, and social service linkages.
Financial Planning and Homeownership Program
Offers free financial education, credit counseling, budgeting support, and first-time homebuyer assistance to NYC residents.
Randolph Houses Program Operations
Provides social services including workforce readiness, financial literacy, youth education, and wellness programs for residents of the redeveloped Randolph Houses.
West Harlem Residence
Supports homeless families with case management, job search assistance, and pathways to permanent housing.
activities · 9 groups

What they do

  • Affordable Housing Development and Management 2 activities
    • Acquisition and development of affordable housing units
      Acquired and developed hundreds of affordable housing units across Harlem in three phases: 92 units during 1970–1986, 763 units during 1987–2000, and 982 units from 2001 to present. Includes specific projects such as the development of 22 units at 1773-75 Amsterdam Avenue.
    • Operation of multiple housing and community service sites
      Manages and operates residential and community facilities across Harlem, including the West Harlem Residence, Convent Avenue Family Living Center, Joseph J. Yancey Jr. Houses, Mannie L. Wilson Towers, A. Phillip Randolph Houses, Oberia D. Dempsey Multi-Service Center, and the Communities for Healthy Food Hub.
  • Student and Camp Transportation Services 1 activity
    • Coordination of educational and social service referrals
      Supports children’s school enrollment and educational continuity through collaboration with the Department of Education, including transportation assistance via MetroCards or bussing.
  • First-Time Homebuyer Support Services 1 activity
    • Delivery of financial literacy and homeownership counseling
      Provides free financial education, credit counseling, budgeting assistance, and homeownership planning through workshops and one-on-one sessions. Includes support for first-time homebuyers, customized financial planning, and partnerships with government and corporate sponsors.
  • Neighborhood Revitalization Initiatives 1 activity
    • Implementation of community development initiatives in Harlem
      Conducts broad-based community development activities to strengthen and preserve Harlem’s neighborhoods, including housing redevelopment, social services, and economic empowerment programming.
  • Campus Facility Operations and Management 1 activity
    • Management of community facilities and hosting of social service programs
      Operates multiple buildings including residential and community spaces such as a 518-seat auditorium, gymnasium, and cafeteria. Hosts over 22 program-based organizations and community events including graduations, workshops, and galas.
  • Food Distribution and Hunger Relief 1 activity
    • Operation of food assistance and nutrition programs
      Operates a client-choice pantry and mobile food delivery services, distributing free fresh and dry food (no meat), providing nutrition education, and offering on-site SNAP enrollment and recertification through the Communities for Healthy Food Hub and partnerships like City Meals on Wheels.
  • Comprehensive Student Enrichment Programs 1 activity
    • Operation of youth and family enrichment programs
      Offers afterschool education, creative arts, yoga, and summer camp activities including swimming, field trips, and arts and crafts for children and youth.
  • Supportive and Emergency Housing Services 1 activity
    • Provision of supportive housing and case management services
      Provides permanent and transitional housing to indigent, low-income, and homeless families and individuals, including mental health support. Offers individualized case management to assess needs, create customized living plans, and support transitions to independent living, with bi-weekly meetings and referrals to social services.
  • Workforce Readiness Training 1 activity
    • Provision of workforce development and employment support
      Assists clients with job searches, application support, job fair registration, and career advancement, leading to employment outcomes such as full-time positions in retail and other sectors.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$335K
Contributions & grants$00%
Program service revenue$335K100%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$407K
Program expenses84%
Admin / overhead16%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$44K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$1.05M
Cash$212K
Investments$0
Liabilities$2.62M
Net assets$-1.56M
Liquid reserves6.3 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +0.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

board members · 5
  • Courtney Bennett — Board Member
  • Diane Ince — Treasurer
  • Genevieve Outlaw — Secretary
  • Ilena DeLaRosa — Chairperson
  • Lenore B Brown — Vice Chair
relationships · 17

Who they work with

  • A. Philip Randolph Houses Partner — Partnered in the re-development of Phase I of the A. Philip Randolph Houses.
  • Apollo Theater Partner — Located near the Apollo Theater, a cultural anchor in Harlem, enhancing community and cultural engagement.
  • City Meals on Wheels Partner — Partner organization collaborating on a mobile food delivery service for home-bound seniors.
  • Communities for Healthy Foods Partner — Collaborates on food access and nutrition services through the CfHF at WHGA Food Hub.
  • Department of Education Government — Collaborates with the Department of Education to support children's school enrollment, educational goals, and transportation needs.
  • Department of Education Government — Coordinates enrollment in school and education-related programs for families.
  • Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Government — Collaborates with DHS, where clients register as homeless and access housing support services.
  • Joseph Yancey Houses Partner — Conducted groundbreaking for the Joseph Yancey Houses in 1999.
  • NYC Housing Preservation and Development Partner — Partner in delivering free financial education and counseling services to NYC residents.
  • NYS Housing and Community Renewal Partner — Partner in delivering free financial education and counseling services to NYC residents.
  • New York City Housing Preservation and Development Government — Refers families to the center through its Central Intake Office.
  • Randolph Houses Partner — Internal partner receiving mobile food delivery services for senior residents.
  • Ryan Community Health Center Partner — Provides primary health care services and referrals for mental health and substance abuse issues.
  • Trinity Financial Partner — Co-developer of the Randolph Houses redevelopment project.
  • WHGA Inc. Partner — Collaborates with WHGA Inc. in the development and management of the Aileen Avery HDFC affordable housing project.
  • West Harlem Group Assistance Inc. Network — Member organization collaborating with WHGA Inc.
  • West Harlem Residence Partner — Internal partner collaborating on supplemental food sourcing for shelter residents.
strategies · 4

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Client-Choice Food Security Model
    methodology: client-choice_pantry
    By offering a client-choice pantry model integrated with nutrition education and benefits enrollment, the organization addresses food insecurity more effectively, because autonomy in food selection increases dignity, reduces waste, and improves nutritional outcomes.
  • Community-Led Development
    methodology: community-led development
    By empowering Harlem residents to lead development initiatives, the organization strengthens community ownership and ensures culturally relevant solutions, because local knowledge and leadership drive more effective and sustainable outcomes.
  • Housing-First with Wraparound Support
    methodology: housing_first
    By placing vulnerable populations into permanent housing first and pairing it with ongoing support services—including case management, employment engagement, and financial counseling—the organization promotes housing stability and self-sufficiency, because secure housing enables individuals to focus on long-term goals.
  • Integrated Financial Empowerment
    methodology: financial-empowerment
    By combining financial education, credit counseling, and asset-building support tailored to community-specific needs, the organization fosters long-term financial independence, because context-specific financial tools increase engagement and real economic mobility.