Neighborhood Revitalization

Brian recognizes that for Western New York to reach its full potential, opportunity must extend beyond our business districts and into our neighborhoods.  As a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, Brian maintains a seat at the table during critical discussions related to tax policy, state and local aid, and affordable housing. 

Brian has been a staunch defender of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which has repeatedly been at risk of cuts and elimination. The program delivers over $25 million to Western New York cities and towns for infrastructure, housing, neighborhood improvements and programs.  

Higgins wrote and introduced the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act, bipartisan legislation designed to encourage homeownership and community investment in distressed neighborhoods by providing a tax credit allocated through states to cover the gap between the cost of construction and the sales price of a home for low-to-moderate income homeowners.

Western New York’s recent revival has been made possible, in part, thanks to the federal Historic Tax Credit program, which incentivizes private sector investment in the rehabilitation and reuse of historic buildings as well as the New Markets Tax Credit, which encourages investment in economically distressed areas.  These two programs have led to billions in local investments.  A map of local projects is available here.