BUFFALO, N.Y. — Governor Kathy Hochul joined by City officials broke ground on Monday at the newly planned redevelopment site of the Commodore Perry Homes in Buffalo's First Ward Neighborhood.
The new housing once completed will be all electric and offer 405 affordable homes within the 27 newly constructed buildings. Residents will also get broadband internet services, green space, and other outdoor amenities.
Felecia Bell who is the President of Commodore Perry Tenants Council says "It's been an eyesore for years. We've seen it over the years decline and we would like to be Perry proud so that we can say we're proud to say where we live. Because you know it's easy to be judged where you come from and background. You know where you live and like I said I don't want people to judge me because I am from the Perry project. But I'm Perry Project Happy".
Bell also has hopes for the estimated 9,000 feet of commercial space planned to be part of the mid-rise buildings. "I just want to see a better state of life for the residents here. I want like a new neighborhood - maybe a bank down here. Grocery store. You know something so we can be proud. Because everything when we have to go to grocery stores and take care of our business - we have to leave from down here. We have to cross the bridge to get even downtown. We don't have too much of anything even down here."
“With this investment, we are transforming the Perry Homes site from a symbol of decline and decay to a symbol of rebirth and resurgence,” Governor Hochul said. “This community-driven development will open up opportunities for residents and businesses alike, all while increasing state-of-the-art affordable housing options in Buffalo.”
The demolition of the former Perry Homes began in April where 24 vacant structures were taken down after being boarded up for a decade. Those demolished buildings will be replaced with the new 27 mid-rise and mixed-use buildings that the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority has planned.
According the a press release from the Governor's office "Once complete, the new Perry Homes will include 405 high-quality apartments, all of which will be affordable to households with incomes at or below 60 percent of the Area Median Income. Of the total units, 284 will be covered under a Section 8 Project-Based Housing Assistance Payment contract administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Multifamily Housing."
It is expected that the first new units will be built by August 2025 for people to start moving into them.
This project is a part of the Governor's $25 billion comprehensive Housing Plan that hopes to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes across New York.
The Governor's Office also noted in their release that "Financing for the $254 million development includes $21.9 million in tax-exempt bonds, $115.7 million in State and Federal Low-Income Tax Credits, and $83.1 million in subsidy from HCR. Empire State Development provided $5 million in Restore New York funding. Additional funds include $6 million in BMHA Capital Fund Program; $1.1 million in Buffalo Community Development Block Grants; $5 million in RAD Rehab Assistance Payments; and $1.6 million in Federal 45L tax credits."
HCR Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “Redeveloping the Commodore Perry Homes is a transformative project for Buffalo, presenting the chance to inject vitality into a long-dormant public housing complex. By creating more than 400 modern, energy-efficient apartments, we are demonstrating our continued commitment to creating more affordable housing opportunities and enriching neighborhoods across Buffalo. We thank Governor Hochul and our local partners for their focus on utilizing all the tools available to build a more affordable New York for all.”
City of Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said, “We have worked hard to get the BMHA Commodore Perry development underway. This development will provide an excellent quality of life for the residents in this area. I am proud of the work BMHA and our Office of Strategic Planning has done to move this development forward. My administration and our Office of Strategic Planning were successful in securing the funds necessary for the development. This includes $6.1 million in grants from the City of Buffalo through ReStore NY and Community Block Grant programs; $6 million in Capital Funds from the BMHA; $5 million in Department of Housing and Urban Development RAD Rehab Assistance aid, and, $1.6 million in federal energy-efficient homes funds. I thank Governor Kathy Hochul for her important role in all of this and her continued support of my administration’s mission to continue to strengthen the city of Buffalo.”
To learn more visit www.governor.ny.gov
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