Early last December, Buffalo Rising contributor John Straubinger brought you this story about HomeFront, Inc's 19th Street rehabs. This past week, HomeFront, a not-for-profit community development corporation based out of the City of Buffalo, announced it has been awarded a $20,000 grant from the M&T Charitable Foundation.
HomeFront is currently rehabilitating six homes on one city block, in order to subsequently sell those homes to low and moderate-income first-time homebuyers. HomeFront has designated this year's funding for use in its housing redevelopment initiative, the 19th Street Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resale Program.
"Redevelopment of once abandoned homes not only contributes to the revitalization of our neighborhoods throughout the City of Buffalo, but also provides affordable housing opportunities to the residents of our communities," said Bryan Cacciotti, Executive Director of HomeFront, Inc. "We are honored to know that the M&T Charitable Foundation supports this belief and continues to be a partner in our efforts in community development."
HomeFront has used previous grant funding from the M&T Charitable Foundation, totaling $125,000 over the past eight years, to deliver quality homeownership education and counseling services to more than 5,000 students from across Western New York.
HomeFront's $1.2 million 19th Street Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resale Program is made possible with funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Home Investment Partnership (HOME) Program, the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal, and the New York State Affordable Housing Corporation. Construction financing for redevelopment efforts is being provided by the Community Preservation Corporation.
This is a great way to stabalize a neighborhood in decline. Replacing vacant buildings with owner occupied homes will improve quality of life on this street. Good to see Homefront rewarded with more money to do thier work.