Who We Are
Essence and Related are uniquely qualified to partner with the community, NYCHA leadership, and local stakeholders to lead a resident-focused rehabilitation. Essence is a black-owned, social impact development firm founded and operated by an experienced affordable housing preservationist and developer of affordable and workforce housing. Essence focuses on developing communities of opportunity through focused community engagement, sustainable design, and building teams that reflect the neighborhoods they serve. Related, one of the most prominent privately-owned real estate firms in the country, started exclusively as an affordable housing developer in 1972 and today is one of the largest developers, financiers, and preservationists of affordable and workforce housing in the country. Currently, Related owns, operates, and manages more than 55,000 affordable and workforce housing apartments.
