BUFFALO, NY – September 23, 2008 – (RealEstateRama) — Mayor Byron W. Brown today announced that the City of Buffalo will partner with HomeFront, Inc. to renovate six homes on 19th Street on the city’s West Side. The project combines over $1 million in funding from City, State and other sources.
“The project will convert six formerly abandoned, vandalized, and abused homes to rehabilitated, energy efficient homes on a street that already has several great homes,” said Mayor Brown. “These improvements are a big step forward in making sure that housing resources are focused in distressed areas where they are needed most. Our focus is to save the homes that are salvageable and to demolish those that pose a danger to the neighborhood; these homes are a great example of houses that can be saved in the City of Buffalo.”
The project is a part of the New York State “Block by Block” Program, a grant program developed through collaboration between the Affordable Housing Corporation, local grassroots organizations and the City of Buffalo. Bryan Cacciotti, Executive Director of HomeFront Inc. said. “The new program brings a strategic approach toward dealing with issues of aging housing stock, homeownership and community revitalization.”
To ensure that buyers are ready for their new homes on 19th Street, HomeFront has also teamed with HOPE Refugee Services and the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York’s First Home Club. HomeFront’s counseling and education for new homeowners combined with matching grant funds serve to cultivate knowledgeable buyers prepared with the necessary tools to sustain homeownership.
Priscilla Almodovar, President and Chief Executive Officer of the NYS Affordable Housing Corporation, said, “I congratulate HomeFront, Mayor Brown and the City of Buffalo for taking the initiative and leadership to make the 19th Street project part of our innovative ‘Block-by-Block’ program. The 19th Street project will not only provide six newly renovated homes to Buffalo families, it will also help revitalize a neighborhood on Buffalo’s West Side*and that is what ‘Block-by-Block’ is all about. Our program is part of the Paterson Administration’s commitment to stabilize our urban communities and make New York State a better place to live and work.”
Deborah VanAmerongen, commissioner of the Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) stated, “This project will transform abandoned buildings from dangerous eyesores to safe and affordable housing for first-time homebuyers, and help revitalize the entire neighborhood. DHCR congratulates our partners –the State Affordable Housing Corporation, the City of Buffalo and the local grassroots organizations that will make this transformation a reality.”
Once the renovations are complete, the homes will be sold to low-to-moderate income first-time buyers. This focused redevelopment will increase the neighborhood’s value, energy and potential for economic diversity.
“Rebuilding Buffalo’s neighborhoods is a task for committed partnerships, and the effort on 19th Street is a great example of the way the work should be done,” said Michael Clarke, Executive Director of Buffalo Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). ”The City of Buffalo, the State of New York and LISC are providing the financial assistance necessary to get the project done. It’s a winning formula that, when repeated consistently, will restore the vitality and promise of Buffalo’s neighborhoods.”
The Community Preservation Corporation (CPC) is also partnering on the project. “CPC is thrilled to be a part of this great project,” said James Rykowski, Regional Director of the CPC in Buffalo. “We are excited to see the transformation of 19th Street into a strong, viable neighborhood and want to thank the City of Buffalo and HomeFront for their hard work on this project.”
Contact: Peter K. Cutler
851-4841 or
Melanie Gregg
851-5468
