Governor David A. Paterson today announced that New York State has awarded the first grants in the innovative “Block-by-Block” program, which was created to help stabilize neighborhoods in the City of Buffalo.
The $2 million in funding, which was approved today by the board of the New York State Affordable Housing Corporation (AHC), demonstrates the Governor’s commitment to stabilizing neighborhoods and improving the aging housing stock in Upstate urban areas. The approved grants will aid in the renovation of 74 homes in Buffalo.
“The Block-by-Block program is a collaborative effort by the State, the City of Buffalo and grassroots organizations to transform communities and bring them back to life,” said Governor Paterson. “These grants provide a roadmap for helping neighborhoods and improving the quality of life for our Upstate residents.”
Mayor Byron Brown said: “The Block-by-Block program is an important new source of funding to help stabilize and improve residential neighborhoods and I thank Governor Paterson and the NYS Affordable Housing Corporation for their support of home renovations in Buffalo through these grants. My Administration is working on a variety of tactics to strengthen our residential neighborhoods, improve the city’s aging housing stock and remove blighted properties. The $2 million in AHC grants will make a significant contribution to this effort and the grants will play a key role in improving our city’s overall quality of life.”
State Senator Bill Stachowski, who serves as Co-Chairman of the Mayor’s Anti-Flipping Task Force (AFTF), said: “The City of Buffalo has been working very diligently to demolish dilapidated properties and refurbish homes for low and moderate-income homebuyers. I’m very pleased that New York State could provide these funds to help Mayor Brown and the dedicated not-for-profit organizations that are stepping up to make Buffalo a better place to live.”
State Senator Antoine M. Thompson said: “Programs like Block by Block are long overdue for many residents living in the City of Buffalo.”
Assemblyman Sam Hoyt said: “The Block-by-Block program was created through a unique collaboration between grassroots organizations, elected officials, and the AHC to address the serious problem of deteriorating neighborhoods in a very strategic way. Investing funds for the rehabilitation of our aging housing stock, particularly for owner-occupied residences, will prevent the need for future demolitions and strengthen neighborhoods. The community-generated approach that created this program ensures that the funds will go where they can have maximum impact.”
Assemblywoman Crystal D. Peoples said: “The Block-by-Block program allows low-income homeowners as well as new home buyers an opportunity that will eventually stabilize and grow Buffalo’s neighborhoods.”
Priscilla Almodovar, AHC President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “Block-by-Block is an exciting new program that leverages the State’s resources to rebuild and revitalize Buffalo neighborhoods one block at a time. With these grants, we help eliminate blight, improve older neighborhoods and enhance the quality of life in these communities. We are proud to partner with the Mayor, the City of Buffalo and nonprofit groups to assist in Buffalo’s community revitalization.”
Linda Chiarenza, Executive Director of West Side Neighborhood Housing Services, a NeighborWorks® charter organization, said: “We are very excited to receive this award. The streets selected for this program are in neighborhoods on the cusp of being revitalized by homeowners and businesses. These grants, used in combination with NeighborWorks® America funds and DHCR HOME funds, will help families stay in their homes and make all necessary repairs to bring their houses into compliance with the City housing code. The result will be safe, affordable housing. West Side NHS has administered other AHC grants and is very pleased to work again with the Affordable Housing Corp.”
Bryan M. Cacciotti, Executive Director of HomeFront Inc., said: “The Block-by-Block program is Governor Paterson’s call and the Affordable Housing Corporation’s answer to provide affordable housing in a focused and collaborative manner in Buffalo, New York. We are delighted to hear news of this award, because we know this project means a great deal to residents living on 19th street and it is especially near and dear to the hearts of our other project partners-the City of Buffalo, the Community Preservation Corporation, the NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal, HOPE Refugee Services and People United for Sustainable Housing.”
Elizabeth Huckabone, President of Belmont Shelter Corporation, said: “We greatly appreciate the extent to which this initiative directly addresses Buffalo’s pressing need to improve the condition of its existing housing stock. By making this much-needed investment of targeted funding, the Governor’s ‘Block-by-Block’ program promises to have a major positive impact on the quality of life of a significant number of people in our community.”
The unique feature of the Block-by-Block program is that every grant will be focused on a block or a series of blocks in the City of Buffalo. Grantees are also required to use the AHC grant in combination with other government or private funding resources. The intent is to stimulate public-private efforts aimed at rebuilding targeted neighborhoods.
Any block in Buffalo is eligible for the Block-by-Block program, though applicants were encouraged to consider blocks whose restoration is feasible and will contribute to the revitalization of entire neighborhoods.
The four grants approved are as follows:
Block by Block Home Improvement Program
The city’s Buffalo Urban Renewal Administration (BURA) received a $1.15 million grant to finance renovations on 48 units located on several blocks in the Mid-City area of the city’s East Side. The program will be administered by Belmont Shelter, Inc., a non-profit housing organization.
Many of the homes to be renovated are more than 60 years old and some are even older. In many cases, reduced property values and lack of funds has made it difficult for the owners to finance improvements themselves. The grant will be used to correct basic structural defects or foundation problems, including replacing roofs, doors, windows, and siding, upgrading electrical, heating, and plumbing systems, and replacing deficient water and septic systems. If necessary, a lead assessment and abatement will be conducted and performed on each home.
To be eligible, applicants cannot earn more than $48,700 for a family of four, with priority given to applicants whose housing poses a serious health, safety, or structural threat.
The total cost of the project is $1.92 million. In addition to the AHC grant, the project will be funded with $768,000 in HOME funds provided by the City of Buffalo.
Block by Block Acquisition and Rehabilitation Program
BURA received a second grant for $400,000 to finance the acquisition and rehabilitation of five two-family homes in the Mid-City area on Buffalo’s East Side. The homes are currently vacant and owned by the City. BURA will renovate the homes using local contractors and sell them to eligible low- and moderate-income homebuyers.
Belmont Shelter will oversee the project, which will include helping homebuyers secure mortgages and providing homebuyer training sessions.
The AHC grant will provide purchase price, down payment, closing cost and rehabilitation assistance to the home buyers. Grant awards are limited to households earning $48,700 for a family of four. The rents in the two-family homes will be capped so they are affordable for low-income tenants.
The total cost of the program is $750,000. In addition to the AHC grant, the program will be financed by a construction loan from the Community Preservation Corporation, as well as individual homebuyer mortgages and homebuyer equity.
West Side Owner Occupied Rehabilitation Program
West Side Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. received a $200,000 grant to finance home improvements for 10 homes on two blocks located in the Grant Ferry and Black Rock Riverside neighborhoods of Buffalo.
The program will correct basic structural defects or foundation problems, replace roofs, doors, windows, and siding, upgrade electrical, heating, and plumbing systems, and replace deficient water systems. If necessary, a lead assessment and abatement will be conducted and performed on each home. Grant awards are limited to households earning no more than $48,700 for a family of four.
The total cost of the project is $449,800. In addition to the AHC grant, the project is expected to be funded with $199,800 in HOME funds provided by the NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) and $50,000 in Energy Conservation grants provided by the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA).
19th Street Acquisition/Rehab/Resale Program
HomeFront, Inc. received a $240,000 grant for the acquisition and rehabilitation of six vacant homes located on one block on 19th Street on the West Side of Buffalo.
HomeFront will purchase the homes, renovate them and then sell them to eligible applicants. The repairs will address basic deficiencies such as roofing, heating, windows, electrical systems, plumbing, foundation, and insulation. The grants will be limited to households earning no more than $48,700 for a family of four.
The total cost of the project is $1.1 million. In addition to the AHC grant, the project is expected to be funded with home buyer mortgages and equity, $319,890 in HOME funds provided by the City of Buffalo, $210,000 in HOME funds provided by DHCR, and $30,000 in Energy Conservation funds provided by NYSERDA.
AHC, a subsidiary of the NYS Housing Finance Agency, was established in 1985 to promote homeownership by low- and moderate-income households. Financial assistance approved annually by the New York State Legislature, combined with other private and public investment, is used for the construction, acquisition, rehabilitation and improvement of owner-occupied housing.
Governor’s Ofiice Contacts:
Errol Cockfield | Errol.Cockfield (at) chamber.state.ny (dot) us | 212.681.4640 | 518.474.8418
Erin Duggan | Erin.Duggan (at) chamber.state.ny (dot) us | 212.681.4640
AHC Contact:
Philip Lentz | PLentz (at) nyhomes (dot) org | 212.688.4000 x679
