Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) announced today that Neighborhood Housing Services of South Buffalo, Inc., a member of the national NeighborWorks network, is receiving $128,750 in flexible funding grants from NeighborWorks America to create more economic development and affordable housing opportunities for South Buffalo residents and businesses.

 

"NeighborWorks America was created by Congress nearly 30 years ago with the mission of community building through partnerships with locally focused agencies," said Congressman Higgins. "These federal funds will help NHS of South Buffalo continue the good work they do strengthening Buffalo neighborhoods.”
 
In FY 2008, NeighborWorks® America (also known as the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation) will provide more than $76 million in grants to its national network of more than 230 community-based nonprofit organizations to create homeownership for lower-income families, produce and manage affordable, high-quality rental properties, stem the tide of foreclosures that threaten neighborhoods and local economies, and revitalize and strengthen communities.  

 

This funding will enable the organization to repair the brickwork to its Housing Trust Fund project while maintaining the architectural integrity of the building. Additional funding through leveraging dollars will hopefully, provide wooden energy efficient windows conducive to the aesthetic era of the building.

 

Housing rehabilitation materials will be provided again this year to the World Changers youth group – selection sites for the project are underway and it is estimated that 33-37 homes this year with 415  young adults registered to participate the week of July 26th. The youth registered to date are coming from 12 states to volunteer their labor in the City of Buffalo.

 

Founded in 1980, Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) of South Buffalo, Inc. is located on South Park Avenue and provides financial assistance to homeowners for rehabilitation; financing for commercial facades; weatherization programs; and supports fiscal services for neighborhood block clubs and community school programs.

 

In the 2007-2008 season NHS of South Buffalo provided weatherization services to 317 units for low income residents.  Last summer NHS sponsored World Changers youth group program which drew 483 volunteer participants, from 16 communities throughout the eastern and southeast states, repairing 35 homes in the City of Buffalo, a project they plan to repeat in July of 2008.