Senator Sean Ryan Announces Community Listening Sessions

BUFFALO – Today, January 13, 2024, New York State Senator Sean Ryan announced he is hosting a series of neighborhood listening sessions to gather community feedback about his City of Good Neighborhoods housing plan and what else can be done to improve access to safe, reliable, and high-quality housing in Buffalo.

The first of three January listening sessions will take place this Wednesday, Jan. 15 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Seneca Babcock Community Center. The remaining sessions are scheduled for 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23 at the Northwest Community Center and 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at Gerard Place.

All members of the public are invited to join for some or all of each session, and active participation is encouraged. Senator Ryan will have an open conversation with attendees to share information about the work he has already done to advance his housing plan and to learn more about the housing challenges facing residents of Buffalo.

Senator Sean Ryan said, “Last year, through a lot of hard work and long conversations, I was able to get three new initiatives created and funded in the state budget that will improve housing access and affordability for renters and homeowners in Buffalo and across Upstate New York. As the State Legislature begins to plan its priorities for 2025, improving access to safe, reliable, and high-quality housing in Buffalo remains at the top of my list. This is an opportunity to give your input into how we should address our city’s housing challenges at the state level, and I encourage anyone who is passionate about this topic to come make your voice heard.”

The listening sessions are the latest component of The City of Good Neighborhoods, Senator Ryan’s comprehensive plan to address the shortage of high-quality, affordable housing in Buffalo. In April, Senator Ryan announced that he had secured significant state funding to support the plan. The funding included $80 million to establish two new, proof-of-concept pilot programs to create infill housing and improve vacant rental units, as well as $10 million to protect families across Upstate New York from being evicted.