LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending West Side and Blackrock-Riverside
Neighborhood Housing Services for 35 years of outstanding service to the
community

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organiza-
tions and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the
community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
West Side and Blackrock-Riverside Neighborhood Housing Services for 35
years of outstanding service to the community to be celebrated at a
dinner on Wednesday, June 10, 2015, at Acqua Restaurant, Buffalo, New
York; and
WHEREAS, West Side and Blackrock-Riverside Neighborhood Housing
Services (NHS) is a private, not-for-profit corporation dedicated to
preserving and revitalizing Buffalo's neighborhoods by providing safe,
affordable and sustainable housing opportunities for all; and
WHEREAS, This dynamic organization is a full-cycle lending agency with
programs carrying customers through the entire process of buying and
owning a home, from financial capability and homebuyer education, to
closing cost assistance, to post-purchase education, home improvement
loans and foreclosure prevention counseling; and
WHEREAS, By focusing on successful home ownership, these vital
programs build and protect assets in low-income neighborhoods, making
them stronger by encouraging investment and improving confidence; and
WHEREAS, In 1980, both West Side NHS and Black Rock-Riverside NHS were
established; in 2008, the agencies signed a memorandum of understanding
to share staff and services, combining and expanding their service areas
to all neighborhoods west of Main Street in the city of Buffalo; and
WHEREAS, West Side NHS is a NeighborWorks Chartered Member and HUD
Approved Housing Counseling Agency; in 2015, West Side NHS was rated
Exemplary by NeighborWorks America, and subsequently, is a designated
NeighborWorks Green Organization; and
WHEREAS, NeighborWorks America provides this designation to Chartered
Members that meet criteria designed to assess the best practices used by
an organization in creating and promoting healthy and sustainable homes
and communities; and
WHEREAS, As a designated NeighborWorks Green Organization, West Side
and Blackrock-Riverside NHS infuses green principles throughout their
operations, programs and services; and
WHEREAS, West Side NHS runs from Porter Avenue on the south to Buffalo
State College and the Scajaquada Expressway on the North, and from
Elmwood Avenue west to Lake Erie; and
WHEREAS, The West Side of Buffalo is one of the most diverse neighbor-
hoods in the city, 29% of households speak a language other than
English; the West Side and Black Rock neighborhoods are seeing a dramat-
ic rise in refugee immigration, especially in Burmese, Somali, Sudanese
and Karen communities; and
WHEREAS, Black Rock is a historic neighborhood north of the West Side,
centering on Hertel Avenue and Niagara Street along the Black Rock
Canal; this area played an important role in the War of 1812, and was
officially incorporated into the City of Buffalo in 1853; like the West
Side, it is home to an increasingly diverse population and a wide varie-
ty of historic architectural styles; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend West Side and Blackrock-Riverside Neighborhood Housing Services
for 35 years of outstanding service to the community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to West Side and Blackrock-Riverside Neighborhood Housing
Services.