About Us

Harlem Community Development Corporation (“Harlem CDC”), a New York State agency, was created in 1995 to serve the greater Harlem community, including East Harlem, Central Harlem, West Harlem and Washington Heights, through planning and facilitating the development of a range of community development projects and revitalization initiatives that will restore Upper Manhattan as an economically stable and culturally vibrant community.

To implement its mission, Harlem CDC targets the redevelopment of vacant or underutilized commercial and residential property. Its goal in this regard is to attract new businesses, retain and grow existing businesses, provide access to homeownership opportunities and create employment opportunities for Upper Manhattan residents.

Harlem CDC also seeks to empower local Harlem businesses and entrepreneurs so that they can more fully participate in new and ongoing business opportunities. This goal is achieved by:

	providing information and technical assistance to community-based organizations to assist them in planning, development and management of their own economic development projects;
	encouraging the involvement of community-based organizations in major projects being undertaken in Harlem by private developers, particularly where New York State assistance has been requested; and
	facilitating the community’s access to New York State’s resources and programs, including financial assistance and skills training.

Harlem CDC is a subsidiary of the NYS Urban Development Corporation d.b.a. Empire State Development Corporation (“ESDC”). Harlem CDC has four primary departments:  Commercial Development, Residential Development, Urban Planning and the Weatherization Assistance Program. Each department has an area of expertise that contributes to Harlem CDC’s overall mission.