Kennedy and Ryan Announce $1.4 Million for Affordable Housing in Erie County

New Round of Grant Funding from New York State Will Boost Revitalization of Homes and Communities in Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Lackawanna, and the Southtowns

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Today, June 18, 2014, New York State Senator Tim Kennedy and New York State Assemblyman Sean Ryan announced $1.4 million in state funding that will be coming to Erie County for affordable housing projects. The funding is provided through the Affordable Housing Corporation (AHC), which is a part of New York State Homes and Community Renewal (NYSHCR).

Funding from AHC will be distributed to three not-for-profit organizations in Erie County, and one municipality. West Side Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. will receive $400,000 for the rehabilitation of 15 affordable units in the City of Buffalo. The Town of Cheektowaga will receive $450,000 for the rehabilitation of 30 affordable units. The Lackawanna Housing Development Corporation will receive $300,000 for the rehabilitation of 33 affordable housing units in the City of Lackawanna. Finally, the Southtowns Rural Preservation Company will receive $250,000 for the rehabilitation of 25 affordable units in Erie County.

Senator Tim Kennedy said, “Increasing access to safe and affordable housing has been a key component of our collective efforts to improve the quality of life for working families living across Western New York. This state investment will help ensure even more Western New Yorkers are able to find and afford the high-quality, reliable housing they need and deserve. This will help strengthen our neighborhoods while also creating new jobs for Western New York’s home construction and improvement industry.”

Assemblyman Sean Ryan said, “This new round of grant funding from New York State will provide a much needed investment in affordable housing throughout Erie County. Communities succeed when high-quality affordable housing options are available. This significant funding will help to improve our neighborhoods, and improve the lives of families all over Erie County.”

Town of Cheektowaga Supervisor Mary Holtz said, “The Town of Cheektowaga has always been an outstanding place to live, work and raise a family, and with this new funding from the state, our town will grow even stronger. Thanks to this vital support from Governor Cuomo, Senator Kennedy and NYS Homes and Community Renewal, we will be able to rehabilitate 30 affordable units to further improve our neighborhoods and enhance quality of life for local families and seniors.”

Linda Chiarenza, Executive Director of West Side Neighborhood Housing Services Inc. said, “West Side Neighborhood Housing Services Inc., a NeighborWorks® America charter member, is extremely pleased to announce this funding and to thank Assemblyman Ryan and Senator Kennedy for their assistance. These funds will help low income families rehabilitate their homes, correct any City of Buffalo code violations and make their homes safe and affordable.”

Phil Lowrey, Executive Director of the Lackawanna Housing Development Corporation said, “The Lackawanna Housing Development Corporation is pleased to have been awarded funds from the NYS Affordable Housing Corporation to assist qualified low- and moderate-income owner occupied home owners in the City of Lackawanna with repairs to their homes.”

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