About Us

Our Mission

The East Harlem/El Barrio Community Land Trust (EHEBCLT) works to develop and preserve community-controlled, truly and permanently affordable housing, commercial, green and cultural spaces in East Harlem/El Barrio that prioritizes households of extremely low to low incomes.

As a strategy to ensure permanent affordability, the East Harlem/El Barrio Community Land Trust will own land and lease it to buildngs on that land, as well as develop a resident-controlled Mutual Housing Association.

What We Do

We work hand in hand with East Harlem residents to build community ownership of land and housing. Through ongoing organizing and leadership development, we prepare tenants and neighbors to play a central role in shaping future community land trust (CLT) properties.

Once a property is secured, we rehabilitate buildings to meet health, safety, and sustainability standards. Residents are relocated into CLT housing where they receive training in mutual housing association practices, preparing them for democratic self-governance.

EHEBCLT works across East Harlem to preserve and build community-led housing.

Key Sites:

🏢 53 E 110th St – Our office + 9 Residential Apts. & First CLT property
🏩 304 E 126th St – In development with the City (Residents Relocated)
🏡 201 E 120- Commercial Space and residence
🏢 204 W 121st St – In Development (Residents Relocated)

📌 We’re growing — and YOU can shape what happens next.

🏙️ How We Work With HPD (NYC’s Housing Agency)

HPD = NYC’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development.

We partner with HPD to:

Acquire buildings for community ownership
Fund major repairs and renovations
Set up long-term ground leases that guarantee affordability
Plan sustainable housing transitions with resident voice

🤝 Together, we bring public land into community han

Our Board 2025-26

About Us: Board & Staff:

1. Rosa Custodio, Board President and Resident liaison EHEBCLT

Contact Number EHEBCLT ( 646 ) 647-7197 Email Address: rcustodio@ehehbclt.nyc

2. Devan Cronshaw, Board Vice-President and HRA Chair Committee EHEBCLT

Email Address: dcronshaw@ehebclt.nyc

3. Nilsa Orama Board Secretary

Email Address: norama@ehebclt.nyc

4. Cristian Chirila ( Cris ) Board Treasurer and Financial Chair Committee

Email Address: CChirila@ehebclt.nyc

5. Christina Curry Board Grant Writer and Fundraising Committee

CCurry@EHEBCLT.NYC

Brian Peters (Former Board, Community Land Trust Manager)

BPeters@Ehebclt.nyc 646.647.9365

We are Looking to add New Board members!

The East Harlem/El Barrio Community Land Trust (EHEBCLT) develops and stewards community-controlled, truly and permanently affordable housing, along with commercial, green, and cultural spaces in East Harlem/El Barrio. We center the needs of extremely low- to low-income households.

To ensure permanent affordability, EHEBCLT owns land and leases it to buildings through long-term ground leases. We are also building a resident-led Mutual Housing Association to give community members direct control over their homes and neighborhoods.

We are currently recruiting candidates for three vital board roles:

Legal Board Member: Ideal for someone with a J.D. and deep experience in New York State housing or real estate law. This role involves advising on acquisitions, reviewing contracts and policies, and guiding legal compliance to ensure sound and equitable development.
Fundraising Board Member: Perfect for a fundraising professional who can support donor cultivation, develop fundraising strategies, and help grow EHEBCLT’s funding base. We’re looking for someone eager to champion our mission and build meaningful relationships with donors and supporters.
Housing Finance Board Member: Suited for someone with experience in affordable housing finance (LIHTC, HOME, Section 8, etc.), this person will help us assess financial feasibility for projects, explore innovative financing models, and support strategic partnerships with CDFIs and other lenders.

All three are volunteer working board roles requiring hands-on engagement, committee participation, and a strong commitment to racial and housing justice.
You can find detailed descriptions for each position attached. We’d love your help forwarding this to your networks, professional associations, or anyone who may be a strong candidate.

Interested individuals can apply by sending a resume and short statement of interest to info@ehebclt.nyc with the relevant board title in the subject line (e.g., “Legal Board Member”) if there are any questions. The positions and postings will remain opened until filled.