Housing

The Making Houses Homes program is a multi-faceted housing program that includes the construction of a variety of new housing for low–moderate households, market rate households, low-interest loans and grants to current homeowners for the rehabilitation of their property as well as downpayment and closing cost assistance to qualified first-time home buyers.

In addition, Making Houses Homes will ensure that targeted communities receive streetscape improvements such as sidewalks, street paving, trees, lighting (vehicular and pedestrian) to enhance their livability. Commercial areas within or adjacent to these targeted neighborhoods will receive simular assistance through the commercial area revitalization effort.

Homeownership Counseling

The Office of Strategic Planning has partnered with several counseling agencies to provide home-ownership training. The training includes credit analysis and repairing tips, home-buyer terminologies, loan application assistance, and other topics needed to prepare for the participant for their first home buying experience.  For more information, click here.

Rehabilitation Loans & Grants

The Office of Strategic Planning provides direct financial assistance to home owners through a variety of programs designed to ensure that housing in the City of Buffalo is safe and in compliance with local codes. In most cases, lead based paint hazard reduction measures must also be undertaken.

Programs for owner occupants include the Target Street Rehab Initiative, the Fifty-Fifty Program, and the Emergency Assistance Program. Funds are available as full conditional grants, partial conditional grants and no interest loans, based on the household income of the applicant.

Funds to improve rental housing are available to for-profit and not-for-profit corporations, and investor owners to ensure that decent, safe and affordable housing is available for tenants. Loan terms are structured to each project.

Downpayment Assistance

The American Dream Downpayment Initiative (ADDI) will enable many first-time homebuyers earning less than 80 percent of their community's median income to purchase their first home. This program provides funding up to a maximum of $5,000 to assist with down payment and closing cost expenses associated with the purchase.

New Housing Construction

The Office of Strategic Planning is partnering with several non-profit and for profit developers to construct a variety of new housing in the City of Buffalo. The housing is located in several of the City's growing neighborhoods (Cold Springs, Willert Park, Fruitbelt and Downtown) and includes for sale and rental properties.

New Housing in the City of Buffalo

For more information contact:
Office of Strategic Planning
920 City Hall
Buffalo NY 14202

Phone: (716) 851-5035 Fax: (716) 851-5016

Tax Credit Programs:

Empire Zones Program

Your home could qualify as property tax-free if it is located in the Home Ownership Zone of the City of Buffalo's Empire Zone. The Home Ownership Zone is a specially designated area of the Empire Zone that offers an exemption on the increased assessment of new homes BUILT. If your new home is located in the Home Ownership Zone, or if you are interested in purchasing a new home in the Home Ownership Zone, please contact Lorrie Abounader, Empire Zone Coordinator at (716) 851-5035 or the Department of Assessment at (716) 851-5747.

Renewal Communities Program

The Renewal Community (RC) program is a federal initiative designed to stimulate economic development in neighborhoods qualified by HUD (Housing and Urban Development).

Businesses located in eligible areas may receive special Federal tax credits and deductions. If you live and work in the RC, your employer could qualify for a Federal Renewal Community Employment Credit.

You may be a Renewal Community resident as this designation covers a significant portion of the City of Buffalo. To find out if you live and work in the RC, call (716) 851-5035.