Rehabilitating Homes for WNY Families
Jul 12, 2012 WGRZ
Written by WGRZ Web Staff
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BUFFALO, NY– The Western New York Regional Economic Development Council Wednesday announced 14 housing rehabilitation and community development projects as part of Governor Cuomo’s Regional Council initiative.
The projects will restore and rehabilitate homes for 290 families in Western New York, with total project costs of $6.9 million.
“Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, projects such as these that are critical to the regional economy are going from funding to groundbreaking in a shorter development term,” said Satish K. Tripathi, President of the University at Buffalo and Western New York Regional Economic Development Council co-chair. “This funding will help Western New York’s working families gain access to affordable housing and demonstrates that state investment can be used to leverage additional investments in our region.”
“It is rewarding to be a part of the Governor’s mission to transform economic development with the Regional Councils and bring critical state resources to Western New York,” said Howard A. Zemsky, Managing Partner at Larkin Development Group and Western New York Regional Economic Development Council co-chair. “The state moving forward to help low-income families become homeowners is a welcomed announcement in Western New York. Homeownership improves and preserves our homes and communities, as well as provides stability for families.”
The Western New York home-ownership investments include:
• $500,000 to Neighborworks Home Resources, through the HOME program, to rehabilitate 12 homes and replace five mobile homes in Cattaraugus County
• $432,100 to Heart of the City Neighborhoods through the Affordable Housing Corporation (AHC), for the home improvement of 20 single family homes and five two-family homes in the City of Buffalo in Erie County.
• $400,000 to the Town of Wellsville, through the CDBG program, to rehabilitate 13 owner-occupied substandard housing units in the Town of Wellsville in Allegany County.
• $400,000 to Chautauqua County, through the CDBG program, to assist 12 households of low- and moderate-income elderly in addressing substandard housing conditions.
• $400,000 to the Town of Almond, through the CDBG program, to rehab 14 owner-occupied, severely substandard housing units located throughout the Town of Almond in Allegany County.
• $400,000 to the Town of Friendship, through the CDBG program, to renovate 20 homes in the Town of Friendship in Allegany County.
• $303,188 to Cattaraugus Community Action, through the AHC program, to improve 35 homes in Cattaraugus County.
• $300,000 to Cuba Development Corporation, through the AHC program, to improve 25 homes in Allegany County.
• $288, 122 to Heart of the City Neighborhoods, Inc., through the HOME program, to rehabilitate 30 homes on the Lower West Side of Buffalo, and improve energy efficiency.
• $278,000 to Cattaraugus County, through the CDBG program, to replace and repair 24 substandard septic systems and 12 substandard well-water systems in Cattaraugus County.
• $200,000 to Chautauqua County, through the CDBG program, to assist 20 low- and moderate-income households in addressing failed septic systems and contaminated or inadequate water supplies.
• $75,000 to the Niagara Community Action Program, Inc., through the RESTORE program, to conduct emergency repairs on the homes of 12 elderly homeowners in Niagara County.
• $75,000 to Chautauqua Opportunities Inc., through the RESTORE program, to conduct emergency repairs on the homes of 20 elderly homeowners in Chautauqua County.
• $75,000 to Chautauqua Home Rehabilitation and Improvement Corp., through the RESTORE program, for emergency repairs on the homes of 18 elderly and physically disabled homeowners in Chautauqua County.
Last year, a total of $785 million was awarded through the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) for job creation and community development projects consistent with each region’s strategic plans. As part of the process, NYS Homes and Community Renewal invested more than $4 million into improving the homes, and lives, of hundreds of Western New Yorkers.