Learn more about Heart of the City Neighborhoods’ history, our mission, and the impact our work has had on Buffalo neighborhoods over the years.

Our Impact

HOCN’s Mission

To strengthen and support Buffalo’s core communities.

Achieving Our Vision

We support community-minded businesses who wish to develop sustainable community projects.
We build capacity for these organizations, to remain relevant in today’s philanthropic climate and become fiscally sustainable.
We grow housing opportunities for all individuals in Buffalo neighborhoods.
We provide grant funding and community engagement to help create lead-safe properties.

Our 2024 Funding Sources

Heart of the City Neighborhoods 2024 Funding Sources

Our History

1998–2008

Youth Hostel redeveloped and becomes a major anchor in downtown tourism.
Designated the Lower West Side as Neighborhood Preservation.

Plymouth Avenue Reclamation Project

Brush Up Buffalo beautification initiative

Adopted Block by Block urban design approach

Introduced Homeownership

2009–2019

Housing affordability in 3 ways: Home Ownership, Quality Rentals, Owner-Occupied Rehab.
Took Block by Block model to all of Ellicott District, parts of Masten and Broadway-Fillmore Districts.
Increased staff, increased revenue by 63%, and tripled residential portfolio.
Completed over $7 million in affordable housing for Black faith-based community.
Completed Cynthia Gardens Apartments.

Increased funding and staffing capacity, introduced community planning

Introduced asset-based Block by Block development model

Completed over $7 million in affordable housing

Completed Cynthia Gardens Apartments, tripled residential portfolio

2020–Present

Adopted Green and Healthy Housing model with a focus on reducing lead paint exposure.
Secured national partners, built a collaborative approach to reduce lead exposure from not only paint, but water service lines and soil also.
Current leader on Get Ahead of Lead campaign.
Focused on neighborhood stabilization efforts and expanding to Buffalo’s East Side using a proven asset-based community development approach.
Sent to U.S. Water Alliance to be a keynote speaker on Stormwater Management.

Focused on reducing lead paint exposure

Worked to reduce lead exposure from water service lines and soil

Helped 500+ families get lead tested

Neighborhoods stabilization efforts, expanded to Buffalo’s East Side

Testimonials

“Staff was wonderful, very courteous and kind and always returned calls and explained things where you could understand. I was very satisfied with staff. Jennifer and Lilian were lovely young ladies who were very kind and explained things.”

– Irma Bolden, homeowner assisted through our Buffalo East Home Improvement Program

“The program has helped us because we had a great deal of repairs to do inside and out, but it was hard to do due to our income. We heard about the program and decided to apply, got accepted. We are very grateful to Heart of the City for the help.”

– Judith Lopez, homeowner assisted through our Green and Healthy Homes Program

“I would recommend Heart of the City because the whole team were very respectful and helpful with any questions that I was not sure about. The program gave me an opportunity to have some work done that my income would not afford. Thank you so much for the help. God bless you!”

– Pamela Dortch, homeowner assisted through our Home Repair Assistance Program

“Staff were wonderful and very helpful about the program. I got a new roof!! I’m very happy about that and the other work done.”

– Rosie McDaniel, homeowner assisted through our Ellicott District Home Repair Program

“I was able to get so much needed work done on my house that I wouldn’t have been able to afford otherwise.”

– Sandra D. Waugaman-Beck, homeowner assisted through our Home Repair Assistance Program

“Interviews and explanations were very thorough and informative. Communication was great. Brandon Woodard was very communicative and professional.”

– Diane V. Nicholson, homeowner assisted through our Buffalo East Home Improvement Program