Forty-seven new affordable homes are wrapping up construction across the city. The Buffalo Erie Niagara Land Improvement Corporation (BENLIC) Build Buffalo Roots initiative is supported by $24.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding from the City of Buffalo and Erie County. Erie County was also previously awarded a $1 million grant through Empire State Development’s County Infrastructure Grant Program to cover the crucial, often-expensive cost of utility hook-ups.
Twenty-one Building Buffalo Roots homes have been listed to date, with 15 already sold or under contract. An additional 24 homes were listed this week. The two-story, three bedroom homes with 1,365 sq.ft. of living space (stick-built) or 1,386 sq.ft. (modular) are priced at $205,000 and the modular single-story, two-bedroom homes with 967 sq.ft. at $175,000. The one and two-story homes pictured here are modular homes constructed in the Kensington/Bailey neighborhood.
Local leaders gathered yesterday to celebrate the sale of the first home competed under the program on Calumet Place in Black Rock.
“This first closing represents exactly what Building Buffalo Roots was created to accomplish: giving a Buffalo family the opportunity to own a quality home, build equity, and put down lasting roots in our city,” Mayor Ryan said. “At the same time, we are turning long-vacant properties into homes that strengthen neighborhoods and contribute to Buffalo’s future. I want to thank County Executive Poloncarz, BENLIC, Belmont, and everyone who has helped move this program from construction to homeownership.”
The homes, designed by HHL Architecture and constructed by Buffalo Construction Consultants using both modular and traditional stick-built methods, are available to income-qualified homebuyers through an application process administered by Belmont Housing Resources for WNY.
