Nonprofits unite to combat rent and food insecurity in Harlem

HARLEM, Manhattan (PIX11) -- As families struggle to pay their rent and buy groceries, several non-profits are stepping up to fight both battles.  

An annual housing conference called Demystifying Housing, hosted by a non-profit called Palante, brought city agencies, and non-profits together.

Sharonne Salaam from Harlem is on a fixed income, a retired foster care advocate, she says every day is a struggle to pay her rent and feed herself. Salaam is one of more than 600 people who attended a special housing conference in Harlem.  There was a resource fair.  

Elsia Vasquez is the president and founder of the non-profit called P A.'L.A.N.T.E which is hosting the event.  Palante stands for People Against Landlord Abuse and Tenant Exploitation. Now on the front lines of keeping people in their homes, Vasquez says it’s not just housing but families struggle to have food for their families.  

She partners with a non-profit called Nine Million Reasons to feed hundreds of families in need each week. They converted their headquarters on Amsterdam Ave in Harlem into a free “bodega” on Fridays located at 1411 Amsterdam Avenue. 

Salaam just found out about bodega Fridays at Palante’s annual housing conference.  This year’s conference is called Demystifying Housing.  Pux11’s Monica Morales served on a panel and was part of the resource fair, listening to your housing horror stories and trying to provide solutions. 

It’s a 3-day City-wide event with free legal Seminars and 65 workshops covering a range of housing topics.