westsidehousingresources_2012

7/31/2019 WestSideHousingResources_2012

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WEST SIDE

HOUSINGRESOURCES

A COOPERATIVE EFFORT BY THE

WEST SIDE HOUSING PARTNERSHIP


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The is a group ofneighborhood organizations and stakeholders help-

ing West Side community residents achieve their

housing needs, goals, and dreams.

It is our hope that you use this resource guide whenassisting your , , and

. You may refer them to any of our organi-zations, and if we cant assist them directly we will

connect them to an agency that can.

This guide was compiled by Whitney Crispell, Chief of Staff to Niagara District

Councilmember David A. Rivera. To order more copies, ask questions, or give feedback,

please contact her at (716) 851-5125 or by email at [email protected].


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- For renters and homeowners.

Assists first-time homebuyerswith credit counseling, purchase process, downpayment/closing cost assis-tance, and much more.

- Drop in center open MondayFriday from 9:00-5:00pm (8:00pm on Thursdays) that helps people find affordable housing. Lo-cated at the Buffalo Main Street office.

Provides eligible households the opportunity topurchase a rehabilitated home at an affordable price.

Purchase a newly built home at an affordable price.

Provides counseling to prevent foreclosure.

1195 Main Street

Buffalo, New York 14209-2196(716) 884-7791 TDD 711

Fax: (716) 884-8026Website: www.belmonthousingwny.org


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The offers a variety of homeowner assistance programs designed toprovide funds for owner occupants for the rehabilitation or repair of their home.

Funds for code related repairs and lead basedpaint hazard reduction are available to owner occupant households who reside on

Target Streets. Maximum loan amount is $25,000*. Loan funds are provided at no interest and partialconditional grants are available for all eligible applicants. The amount to be repaid will be basedon household income. Household income must be within the federal low income guidelines, specifically,less than 80% of the area median based on family size.

Funds are available for repair of a verified emergency conditionsuch as an inoperable furnace, faulty electrical service, broken hot water tank, removal of a hazardouschimney, or break in the main water or sewer line. Properties in deteriorated condition may not qualifyfor assistance under this program. Maximum loan amount is $25,000*. Loan funds are provided at nointerest and partial conditional grants are available for all eligible applicants. The amount to be repaidwill be based on household income. Household income must be within the federal low income guide-

lines, specifically, less than 80% of the area median based on family size. Properties located on targetstreets are not eligible for assistance under this program.

Funds are available for repair of a severely deterio-rated roof where water infiltration into the habitable area has been verified. For a single family structuremaximum loan amount is $25,000, double is $35,000*. Loan funds are provided at no Interest and par-tial conditional grants are available for all eligible applicants. The amount to be repaid will be based onhousehold income. Available to elderly, disabled or very low income households.

Funding up to $5,000 is available to first time homebuy-ers to assist in meeting closing cost and down payment expenses attributable to the purchase of a one

family home. Each property must be code compliant and lead safe and must be owner occupied for afive year term following the purchase. Loan funds are provided at no interest as a conditional grant. Nomonthly or annual payments are required, but the amount provided must be repaid if the property is soldwithin the five year regulatory period. Household income must be within the federal low income guide-lines , specifically, less than 80% of the area median based on family size. Applicants must documentthe availability of mortgage financing as part of the application process.

Weatherization Program funds, up to $5,000 per structureare available to assist homeowners in the City of Buffalo. The Program is available city-wide to income-eligible, owner occupants, who meet the Program application guidelines. Program applicants must beclassified as one of the following in order to apply: elderly (household income 80% or less of median in-come*); disabled (household income 80% or less of median income*); families with children (householdincome 80% or less of median income*); or very-low income individuals or families (household income50% or less of median income*). Contact Fillmore Leroy Area Residents, Inc. (FLARE) at 838-6740 formore information

920 City Hall, 65 Niagara SquareBuffalo NY 14202

Phone: (716) 851-4236


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Habitat sells houses at cost; it doesnot make any profit.Habitat holds the mortgage and

charges NO interest on the mort-gage.Monthly mortgage payments are between 15% and 20% of a familys gross

annual income and include property taxes and homeowners insurance

The Family Selection Committee screens all applicants.The family must be able to manage house and utility payments and still

have enough money left over to live on.The family may be receiving food stamps, Medicaid, SSI, SSD, and certainother social benefits.Any legal judgments against the family must be cleared up before home-ownership, and if the applicant(s) has gone through bankruptcy, at leasttwo years must have elapsed since the discharge of the bankruptcyIn addition to qualifying financially, the family must be willing to earn 500

hours ofsweat equity as a partner with Habitat.

Sweat equity means labor put in at construction sites where family mem-

bers age 16 or older work together with volunteers to build or renovatehouses.Habitat teaches the necessary skills, and the familys friends and relatives

can put in as many as 200 of the 500 hours required.Family members can also earn hours by attending Habitat workshops,working at the Habitat ReStore, and by educational achievement.

The 9 council districts in the City of Buffalo and nearby Lackawana

995 Kensington Avenue

Buffalo, NY 14215716-204-0740

Website: www.habitatbuffalo.org


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The HOPE pro-gram brings life back into vacantproperties! These new homes in an1890s frame are ideal for first-time homebuyers who have limited capital forextensive home repairs, updates, and purchases.

Empowering senior citizens to main-tain independence, remain civically engaged, and gracefully age in the comfort

of their own homes! Planning to Stay is designed to respond to the increasingcosts of home repair and maintenance by equipping deserving elderly resi-dents with grants for home repairs and energy upgrades.

In conjunction with HOCNs home rehabilitation

and repair programs, the organization also promotes several neighborhood-wide community initiatives. These programs include annual tree plants, plant-ing flower bulbs, neighborhood clean ups and hosting community-wide socials,

encouraging community engagement & creating pride for our streets.

As a bi-weekly Ellicott District Liaison at housing court hear-ings, HOCN is able to assist building strong communities and improve the qual-ity of life within.

In addition to on-going programs and active developments,HOCN offers a variety of services to assist home-owners, tenants, and poten-tial first-time homebuyers.

251 Virginia Street, Suite A

Buffalo, NY 14201(716) 882-7661

FAX (716)882-7662email: [email protected]// website: www.hocn.org
http://02c402f.netsolhost.com/start/programs/planning-to-staymailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://02c402f.netsolhost.com/start/programs/planning-to-stay


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The components of the Home Ownership Center pre-purchase program are packaged to

comprehensively address the needs of our low to moderate income clients interested inbecoming first time homeowners. Our program is designed to take the client through anumber of steps, preparing them to become mortgage ready and ultimately sustain-

able homeowners. At each step, the client is mentored by a qualified housing counselorwho is trained in the home buying process.

First Home Club - The First Home Club program allows eligible potential owners toearn $4 in grant monies for every $1 saved over a 10-24 month time period.Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resale Program - A valuable option for many of the

clients who utilize the services of HomeFront, Inc. is the acquisition & rehabilitationprogram. HomeFront, Inc. is now considered by the City of Buffalo to be the leadagency in acquiring-rehabilitating-reselling houses.Closing Cost Assistance Loan Program Homebuyers purchasing in the City of Buf-falo may be eligible for a $3,000 Closing Cost Assistance Loan!The Weatherization Program This program is designed to help reduce fuel bills andto make homes more energy efficient!Queen City Homebuyer Assistance Program First-time homebuyers looking to pur-chase a home in the City of Buffalo may be eligible to receive up to $5,000 for DPCCAssistance.

Credit Counseling Services

HomeFront Inc. is working to promote healthy communities in Erie County. The prob-lems that our neighborhoods face are complex, with a variety of economic, social andenvironmental factors, both external and internal, interrelating to create a series ofchallenges. Historic and macro level conditions such as economic hardship, an indus-trial legacy, and an aged housing stock may not be avoidable, but the manner in whichthey impact life can be transformed. We believe in the power of locally driven initiatives

as vehicles for this transformation. We therefore work together with community groupsto assess the challenges and opportunities they face, and formulate strategies forchange.

780 Fillmore Ave, Buffalo, NY 14212

Phone: 716-856-2952Fax: 716-856-4639Website: www.homefrontbflo.org

Email: [email protected]
http://www.homefrontbflo.org/financial/?id=2http://www.homefrontbflo.org/financial/?id=19http://www.homefrontbflo.org/financial/?id=15http://www.homefrontbflo.org/financial/?id=21http://www.homefrontbflo.org/financial/?id=20mailto:%67%65%6e%65%72%61%6c%69%6e%66%6f%40%68%6f%6d%65%66%72%6f%6e%74%62%66%6c%6f%2e%6f%72%67mailto:%67%65%6e%65%72%61%6c%69%6e%66%6f%40%68%6f%6d%65%66%72%6f%6e%74%62%66%6c%6f%2e%6f%72%67http://www.homefrontbflo.org/financial/?id=20http://www.homefrontbflo.org/financial/?id=21http://www.homefrontbflo.org/financial/?id=15http://www.homefrontbflo.org/financial/?id=19http://www.homefrontbflo.org/financial/?id=2


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Available for new homebuyers & existing homeowners wishing to refinance.

1094 Hertel Ave. ( near Delaware)Buffalo NY 14216

716-834-6222website: www.naca.com

PUSH's members are the community organizers who make affordable hous-ing a reality in Buffalo. Our members work with partners and funders to cre-ate a healthy, just and strong city that includes community control of re-sources, living wage jobs and access to quality education, healthcare andtransportation.

The mission of PUSH Buffalo is to mobilize residents to create strongneighborhoods with quality affordable housing, to expand local hiring oppor-tunities and advance economic justice in Buffalo. The growth of PUSH overthe years has been attributed to its commitment to operating principles, which will shape the imple-mentation of its five years strategic plan.

Over the next five years, PUSH will strive to: Build a more democratic, action-oriented organizationcapable of addressing poor housing condition and the lack of living wage in the neighborhoodsIncrease property ownership by low-income residents through the PUSH Community Housing Co-opDecrease the rate of housing abandonment by reclaiming empty houses from neglectful public and

private owners and redeveloping them for occupancy by low-income residents Lead direct actioncampaigns against corporations and government agencies whose practices contribute to the highpoverty rate in the neighborhoods Create a replicable model of grassroots neighborhood organiz-ing and redevelopment, which can be employed in other low-income neighborhoods throughout theRust Belt

271 Grant StreetBuffalo, NY 14213

716-884-0356


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Westside Ministries (WSM) is a non-profit or-ganization that seeks to stabilize communi-ties of Buffalos under-resourced West Sideand to provide home-ownership opportunitiesto persons

who have demonstrated an ability to own a homebut have lacked the opportunity. We currently min-ister in our target area in the following ways:

- We help responsible, first-time, low andmoderate-income homebuyers to acquire a home within ourtarget area. We complete the rehab process with mostlyvolunteer labor, which allows us to keep the final cost ofhomes very affordable, usually in the $40-$50k range. In

almost every case, our families can own homes for far lessthan they could rent the same home.

Many families are not ready to own homes today, but given 1-2 years, manywill become ready. We also work with families who have demonstrated an ability to own a home,but need some time to get their credit/finances in order. We offer quality, well-maintained apart-ments in our target area during this transitional time. WSM uses the income from these proper-ties to fund the operational expenses of the ministry.

When you are living paycheck to paycheck, it is difficult to save a largeamount of money towards the future. Our tenants will have the opportunity to be part of a Home

Buyers Club to help them save towards a down payment. Each month they will deposit a certainamount into a personal savings account. A federal bank, such as HSBC, match will then maximizetheir savings and eligible candidates will receive additional grant monies towards down paymentand closing costs.

We believe that good jobs and productive work are an important part ofhealthy communities. We desire to develop job opportunities for the residents of the West Side.

WSM was expanded in the summer of 2007 to include On the Job Minis-tries, which was founded to provide job training and employment opportunities for youth on theWest Side. In August 2007, On the Job Ministries opened the New-To-You thrift store at 289

Grant St. New-To-You is staffed primarily with West Side teens.

175 Lafayette Avenue Buffalo, NY 14213 716.828.8681Cornelia Dohse-Peck, Community Organizer

Email: [email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.westsideministries.org/http://www.westsideministries.org/http://www.westsideministries.org/mailto:[email protected]


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Owning a home is an investment in your future, and on the WestSide of Buffalo, YOU CAN be a homeowner - if you can negotiatethe process. Homebuyer's Clubs can help you through. Come get the answers and assistance youneed.

Homebuyers Clubs are support groups made up of peers who meet monthly to overcome the chal-

lenges and seize the opportunities home ownership presents. Facilitated by club captains the meet-

ings consist of three main parts:: Local housing experts present on grants for down payment assistance programs, (re)

establishing good credit, and all other aspects of the home ownership process.We take the long and confusing home ownership process, and break down into man-

ageable steps by setting and reporting on monthly goals.: The support group atmosphere provides accountability, personalized coaching,

and encouragement from other club members.

:

301 14th St. 175 Potomac Ave6:00pm, every 3rd Thursday of the month 6pm, second Thursday of the monthConducted in partnership with Jericho Made up of a diverse group of West Side

Road Ministries. Each session is offered residents. Meetings include a mealfor a specific language group of and child care.

immigrants and refugees.

WEDI offers support to homeowners long after closing on a house. WEDI provides the community or-ganizing that block clubs often need to empower residents to create stable neighborhoods.

Become an officially recognized block clubPartner effectively with police and elected officialsBring in housing agencies to address housing issues

Work together on fun projects that create a sense of community pride

email: [email protected]// website: www.wedibuffalo.org

Office: 716-884-9437 ext. 303 // Local Cell: 716-697-7512
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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We are private, not-for-profit corporations dedicated to the preservation and revitalization of Buf-falo's neighborhoods by providing safe, affordable and sustainable housing opportunities for all.

We are full-cycle lending agencies, with programs carrying customers through the entire process ofbuying a home--from financial fitness education before purchase, to closing cost assistance, to post

-purchase education and home improvement loans.

Homebuyer Education classes

Closing Cost Assistance (insurance; title searches; city and/or county property taxes; waterand sewer costs; points and legal feeds.

Foreclosure Prevention Services

Home Improvement Loans

Minor Home Repair

West Side Neighborhood Housing Services is a NeighborWorksChartered Member.West Side NHS works in partnership with Black Rock-Riverside Neighborhood Hous-ing Services, sharing staff and services, and serving a combined service areaof eve-

rything west of Main Street in the City of Buffalo.

Open Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.359 Connecticut St Buffalo NY 14213

Tel. (716) 885-2344 / Fax. (716) 885-2346

Open Tuesday-Friday, 8 a.m. -6 p.m.203 Military Rd Buffalo NY 14207

Tel. (716) 877-3910 / Fax. (716) 877-3912
http://nw.org/http://nw.org/http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ved=0CDkQmwU&ei=EKx9S96KAaeuiwOkxpj5CQ&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=115719770141785235674.000475eaaec31cca585eehttp://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ved=0CDkQmwU&ei=EKx9S96KAaeuiwOkxpj5CQ&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=115719770141785235674.000475eaaec31cca585eehttp://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ved=0CDkQmwU&ei=EKx9S96KAaeuiwOkxpj5CQ&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=115719770141785235674.000475eaaec31cca585eehttp://nw.org/http://nw.org/

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