The Division of Housing is committed to providing safe, decent, affordable housing and sustainable neighborhoods for all residents, by answering a variety of housing needs of the City’s growing population. The Division is dedicated to creating and helping preserve permanently affordable and mixed-income housing options to meet the diverse needs of the community. The Division of Housing offers several forms of financial assistance to income eligible City residents for home repairs and improvements, and accessibility. The down payment and closing cost assistance program is available to residents interested in homeownership. The Division participates in both the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME). Funding sources utilized such as the above vary across the Agency’s projects and programs.
The following programs are offered through the Division of Housing:
Roof Replacement (elderly, disabled and extremely low income)
Funds are available to households with income below 80% of the median in which one or both owners are elderly, or disabled. Funds are also available to any household with an income of less than 50% of the area median based on family size.
Emergency Assistance Program
Funds are available for repair of a verified emergency condition such as an inoperable furnace, hazard at the main electrical service, broken hot water tank, removal of a hazardous chimney, replacement of a service line identified by public utility, or break in the main water or sewer line. Properties in deteriorated condition may not qualify for assistance under this program.
50/50 or Fifty-Fifty Program
Funding for one half of the rehab cost, up to $25,000, is available for code related repairs and lead based paint hazard reduction to purchasers and owners of existing one and two family homes.
City of Buffalo Homebuyer Assistance Program
Goal is to empower potential and existing homeowners with the necessary tools to make educated and informed decisions about the process of purchasing and maintaining their homes. A major component of the program is centered on affordability, sustainability and generational wealth building.
Down Payment Closing Cost Assistance (DPCC)
Funding up to $5,000 is available to first time homebuyers to assist in meeting closing cost and down payment expenses attributable to the purchase of a single family home. Each property must be generally code compliant and lead safe and must be owner occupied for a five year term following the purchase.
Target Street Program
Funds for code related repairs and lead based paint hazard reduction are available to owner occupant households who reside on Target Streets.
Notable Accomplishment:
The Agency assisted one hundred twenty-nine (129) units with emergency repair work using CDBG funding.
Results - Emergency Assistance was provided for repairs to ninety-eight (98) owner occupied structures, twenty-four (24) rental units, and fifteen vacant rental (15) units representing a total of one hundred thirty seven (137) units. Eligible repair categories include replacement of a leaky roof system, broken water line or sewer line, non-functioning furnace or hot water tank, and hazardous electrical panel or chimney. In rare cases, the program will support the replacement of a gas line.
A total of $1,937,451 in CDBG funds were allocated for Emergency Repairs. Of the ninety-eight (98) owner occupied structures that we assisted, the average cost was $13,736 per structure. Additional funding was used to support the program’s administration cost as follows:
- Belmont Housing Resources $350,000.00
- Community Based Organizations $270,000.00
The CDBG emergency program has the greatest impact on existing housing and neighborhood conditions- more than any other City of Buffalo CDBG housing program. This program is often the only option available to low income, disabled, and elderly homeowners. This program is responsible for helping the most vulnerable residents stay in their homes. The program keeps homes owner occupied. Many residents would likely abandon their homes if this funding was not available. This program provides funds to remove urgent, emergency health and safety hazards by providing funding to undertake physical repairs that improve housing conditions and keep neighborhoods stable.
Families are assisted on a first-come, first-served basis. The number of units completed each year are dependent on factors such as number of applicants, contractor availability and contractor capacity. Our Program Administrator and community partners conduct outreach to obtain applicants in order to address the needs of our community
Weatherization – CDBG Funded
The goal of the Weatherization Assistance program reduces energy costs for low-income households by increasing the energy efficiency of homes, while ensuring health and safety. The program provides repairs and improvements to home heating systems and provides for the installation of energy-saving measures in the house, such as insulation and air sealing. The goal of the program is to increase the energy efficiency of Buffalo’s aging housing stock while reducing homeowner’s residential energy expenses.
Results – CDBG funded Weatherization Assistance was provided to twenty-five (25) households.
Homebuyer Assistance – CDBG Funded
A total of five (5) low-income first time homebuyers were assisted under the Down Payment and Closing Cost Homebuyer Assistance program. The City provide deferred loans to eligible households who agreed to purchase and occupy homes in the City of Buffalo. The funding assistance is for up to $5,000 for eligible down payment and closing costs assistance and the period of affordability is 5 years.
The various Homeownership Programs offered by the City of Buffalo assist households by making home ownership accessible. The City of Buffalo Homeownership Programs facilitate affordable home purchases for low‐income households by providing deferred loans for down payment and purchase price reduction assistance funded by CDBG and HOME. Additionally, during this program year, the City funded individual credit counseling, first time homebuyer education, and homebuyer interpreting services using nonfederal resources.
