Senator Mark Grisanti (R, I -60) today announced that the New York State Senate has voted to pass Bill S.3133B to amend the public housing law to grant the Buffalo Common Council the power to appoint one commissioner to the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority governing board.
The Housing Authority will now be comprised of seven members including two elected by tenants, one member appointed by the common council and four members appointed by the mayor of the City of Buffalo. The Mayor will designate the Chairman who will serve at his pleasure. Members of the Municipal Housing Authority receive a designated salary and the two tenant members receive a monthly stipend of $250.
“I am pleased that the Senate has passed this bill to add one new member to the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority who will be appointed by the Common Council. It is extremely important that the Housing Authority listen to and act appropriately to the concerns of residents in Buffalo area public housing. By diversifying the makeup of the board, it is hoped that the commission will be more representative of the community at large. Our aim is to create a body that is transparent, accountable and responsive to the taxpayers needs as they relate to housing,” said Senator Mark Grisanti (R,I-60).
Over the past several years there have been numerous issues related to the City of Buffalo’s Marine Drive Apartments ranging from inadequate snow removal to a failure to adequately deal with and report illegal activity to the Buffalo Police Department. Tenants complained to the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority who assumed responsibility for this property in 2011 but felt their problems were ignored.
Since 1934, Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority has been responsible for the construction, rehabilitation and modernization of all low-income public housing within the City of Buffalo. The Authority also manages and operates all such units. Their goal is to provide low-rent housing for persons of low-income who cannot afford standard housing in the private market.
