Wrapping Up 2012: A Note from our Executive Director
It’s hard to believe, but 2012 is already coming to an end. As we get ready for an exciting 2013, we look back on what has been a successful year for community investment and affordable housing development.
Thanks to our funders and supporters, we were able to put $1,080,047 directly into the Lower West Side community this year through programs.
Under our acquisition-rehab-resell program, known as H.O.P.E., we introduced two new families as first-time homebuyers to our neighborhood and began construction on a vacant double-family home on Prospect Avenue. 2012 was also a great year for our minor home repair programs, which assist low-moderate income homeowners. We closed our first round of funding for our Planning to Stay Program, completing repairs on 19 units for frail/elderly, senior homeowners. We also added two new minor home repair initiatives, known as our Stable Homes Program and Green & Healthy Homes Program. Under the Stable Homes Program, we have completed 3 units of repairs on developmentally disabled homeowners’ homes. Funding for the Green & Healthy Homes Program allowed us to complete 2 units of repairs for homeowners.
In addition, HOCN was able to put over $3,000 directly into grassroots community initiatives, including our direct mail newsletter for LWS residents, quarterly community meetings attended by over 100 neighbors, and our educational forum, “No Place Like Home,” where we met with over 75 community activists to talk about housing issues.
To sum up the year- we helped 23 families remain in their homes, eliminated 2 vacant, eye sores, educated almost 200 city residents and activists about local housing resources, and helped 25 families save money on heating and electric bills this holiday season, as well as home maintenance costs next Spring- now that’s what affordable housing is all about!
All of this work could not have been done without your support, and the funding brought to us by NYS Housing and Community Renewal, NYS Affordable Housing Corporation, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, Health Foundation for Western and Central New York, the Western New York Foundation, the John R. Oshei Foundation, M&T Bank Charitable Foundation, and First Niagara.
In 2013, HOCN will be celebrating our 15th Anniversary as an organization. We look forward to continuing our H.O.P.E. Program by completing 3 more vacant home rehabs with 3 first-time buyer home sales, as well as continuing our minor home repair programs with at least 25 more units of repairs, and introducing our 8 units of affordable rental housing upon the completion of Cynthia Gardens. Our quarterly community meetings will also continue in January, where we will start our 2013 community planning with residents.
We look forward to continuing working with you to elevate the quality of life for everyone in the neighborhood!
-Stephanie Simeon
Executive Director