Buffalo, NY According to governor Andrew Cuomo, $16.1 million has been awarded to four affordable housing developments in Western New York that will create or preserve 146 affordable homes. The funding is part of $175.4 million the state is awarding to build or preserve more than 2,185 affordable apartments and revitalize communities across New York’s 10 regions.
“These critical investments will strengthen communities in every corner of the state by creating and preserving affordable homes for families, veterans, seniors and some of our most vulnerable neighbors,” governor Cuomo said. “By strategically revitalizing neighborhoods throughout New York, we can breathe new life into these communities, making them more vibrant places to live for generations to come.”
The governor’s commitment to providing all New Yorkers with access to safe, affordable housing is reflected in the state’s $20 billion, five-year Housing Plan. The plan makes housing accessible and combats homelessness by building and preserving 100,000 units of affordable housing, and 6,000 units of supportive housing.
The funds were made available through New York State Homes & Community Renewal’s 2018 Unified Funding Application, a streamlined process to apply for low-income housing tax credits and low-interest loans for affordable, multifamily developments. Projects are funded in every region of the state.
Awards in Western New York will expand the supply of affordable and supportive housing for seniors and address homelessness in communities throughout the region. Awards include:
- $7.3 million for Mt Aaron Village, creating 59 affordable and supportive apartments for low-income and homeless individuals, and ground floor commercial space in the city.
- $1.5 million for Polly Jean Suites, which will transform an underutilized commercial building into eight supportive housing units for homeless individuals and young adults.
- $3.8 million for Oakwood Senior Apartments in the village of Blasdell (Erie County) to support the rehabilitation of a former school building into 33 affordable and supportive homes for seniors and homeless individuals.
- $3.4 million for Alberta Place in the town of Amherst to support the new construction of 46 affordable apartments for low-income seniors and frail elderly.
RuthAnne Visnauskas, commissioner of New York State Homes and Community Renewal said, “The investments announced today are part of $175 million awarded across the State that builds on the momentum and unprecedented resources that governor Cuomo has committed to improving New York’s communities since 2011. Under governor Cuomo’s leadership, we are doing more than ever to increase access to affordable and supportive housing, reduce homelessness, revitalize neighborhoods and strengthen local economies.”
Senator Brian Kavanagh, chair of the Senate Housing Committee said, “We need to make sure New Yorkers across the state have access to good, safe and affordable housing, and today’s Unified Funding awards announcement marks an important step toward revitalizing our communities. This funding will help create and preserve affordable housing, and keep people in the neighborhoods they call home.”
Senator Tim Kennedy said, “Pastor Dwayne Jones has been working tirelessly to better the lives of current and future residents of Buffalo’s East Side, through both his ministry at Mt. Aaron Baptist Church and by leading the nonprofit Community Hope Builders CDC toward economic revitalization of the East Side’s housing stock. Mt. Aaron Village represents the next important milestone for this community, as it will convert two acres of vacant, city-owned lots into a modern, fully amenitized multi-generational affordable rental housing complex for individuals, families, and seniors in a neighborhood with little safe, decent, sanitary and affordable housing stock. I am confident that this project will offer the supportive services needed in our city, and look forward to seeing pastor Jones’ vision come to life. I also applaud pastor Reginald Kerr and My Place Home for the Homeless as they pursue completion of the Polly Jean Suites project, bringing another ten high quality affordable apartments onto the market on Buffalo’s East Side. These two leaders in the faith community have committed themselves to bettering our neighborhoods and they are making a true different in the lives of countless Western New Yorkers.”
Senator Mike Ranzenhofer said, “Investing in our region is extremely important, I am glad Amherst was awarded funding for their senior housing project. It is great to see the creation of affordable housing for seniors, so they are able to continue to be a part of the community that they have lived in.”
Assembly majority leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said, “If people cannot find affordable housing they are at high risk of becoming homeless. Now, thanks to the New York State Homes and Community Renewals 2018 United Funding Application program close to $9 million will be used to create affordable housing for low income, homeless individuals, and young adults at Mt. Aaron Village and Polly Jean Suites in the city of Buffalo. Thank you governor Cuomo for your commitment to creating affordable housing for some of our most vulnerable citizens.”
Assembly member Steven Cymbrowitz, chair of the Assembly Housing Committee said, “This initiative moves forward our continued commitment to create and preserve affordable and supportive housing stock for all New Yorkers, especially our most vulnerable. I’m pleased that this project will provide seniors, young adults and other New Yorkers with the ability to remain vital and engaged members of our communities.”
Assembly member Karen McMahon said, “Each and every New Yorker deserves a place to call home, and this funding will help to ensure Western New York’s most vulnerable residents are taken care of. Seniors should never have to worry about losing their homes, and that is why these new units at Alberta Place are so critical for this population. I thank governor Cuomo for investing in the comfort and safety of Western New York’s elderly.”
Assembly member Sean Ryan said, “Affordable housing is critically important to individuals, families, and neighborhoods. The Oakwood Senior Apartments development will help seniors remain through their retirement years in the community in which they’ve lived, and will assist persons experiencing homelessness by providing opportunities for permanent housing. I applaud governor Cuomo’s leadership in providing affordable housing to persons in Blasdell and across Western New York.”
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