Leaders from HomeFront, Inc. and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) joined federal, state and city officials to mark completion of the latest vacant home rehab project transforming a neighborhood on Buffalo’s West Side.
“I am so pleased to have all our partners here today to share not only in the success of revitalizing these two blocks of 19th Street, but also our agency’s capacity in bringing qualified buyers to the mortgage market to purchase what I call these ‘super houses’ being developed by HomeFront and our partner agencies in the city of Buffalo,” said HomeFront Inc. Executive Director John Murphy. “These projects are not only revitalizing a city neighborhood and creating ownership opportunities for first-time homebuyers, but creating jobs for companies producing the building materials used on our houses, and for the workers of construction companies doing the work.”
This project is a component of HomeFront’s three-year strategy to substantially rehabilitate vacant/abandoned/foreclosed houses in the 19th Street neighborhood and the 14213 zip code. This home is the last house to be completed under Phase 1 of the targeted acquisition, rehab, re-sale strategy on 19th Street, with four additional rehabilitation projects set for completion by the end of this year under Phase II of the project. The first Phase included the acquisition and rehabilitation of five formerly vacant houses on 19th Street, of which two have been sold, and three are under sales contracts including #113 19th Street. HomeFront is in the process of securing funding to begin a Phase III of the strategy to acquire and rehab an additional five houses in the 19th Street neighborhoods.
“A strong city is built on strong neighborhoods and HomeFront, under the leadership of John Murphy, is demonstrating through this innovative project the lasting impact and positive outcomes achieved with targeted community rehabilitation efforts,” said Congressman Brian Higgins. “Through this effort, neighborhoods with great character and potential, crushed under the weight of vacant homes that drive up blight, crime and economic deterioration, are made vibrant again.”
"A single home, restored and made habitable again, is the first step in revitalizing our neighborhoods ad our city," said Assemblyman Sean Ryan. "Thanks to the efforts of organizations like HomeFront and community members who have refused to give up on their neighborhoods, areas once thought to be lost are blossoming again. I want to thank Congressman Higgins and all our local leaders for recognizing the importance of neighborhood revitalization and their tireless efforts to improve Buffalo communities."
Buffalo City Councilman David Rivera added, “HomeFront has not only invested siding, windows, and other building materials in our neighborhood but also the time, energy, and care of its dedicated staff. The organization is committed to fostering relationships with neighbors, block clubs, and other community organizations. It’s these bonds that will ultimately make the projects on 19th Street successful.”
HomeFront acquires the abandoned homes and accesses city, state and federal grant resources available for neighborhood revitalization. Funding contributing to the projects on 19th Street includes: Federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program funding made available through the Recovery Act, and New York State and City of Buffalo HOME dollars. Homes are rebuilt with energy efficiency in mind using Energy Star qualified materials.
With more than 14,000 vacant homes, the City of Buffalo has one of the largest percentages of vacant homes in the nation.
Established in 1975, HomeFront, Inc. is a community development agency that has been working to promote homeownership and healthy neighborhoods in Buffalo and Erie County. For more information on HomeFront’s home rehabilitation or homebuyer education services call 716-856-2952 or visit www.homefrontbflo.org.
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