BUFFALO, N.Y. — Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Friday that a $23.6 million project at a historic former school in East Buffalo is complete.
The project transformed the old St. John Kanty Lyceum in East Buffalo into a 42-unit, energy-efficient affordable apartment complex with 12 supportive housing units, 5 fully ADA-accessible apartments, and 2 apartments for those with audio/visual disabilities.
“The transformation of this historic former school into affordable, energy-efficient homes is part of our ongoing commitment to building a more affordable future for East Buffalo,” Governor Hochul said in a statement.
“Apartments at the Lyceum provide low-income individuals and families with much-needed affordable housing and connect survivors of domestic violence and others in the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood to the resources they need to succeed.”
Funding was secured through numerous programs including the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, and HCR’s Low Income Housing Tax Credit program.
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation also assisted by using Federal and State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits to help the project come to life.
“Affordable housing is a critical need all across Erie County and it takes strong partners and visionary leadership to address it," Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said in a statement.
"I thank Governor Hochul for her focus on this pressing issue and for investing in energy efficient affordable housing here. These investments are life-changing for the families and individuals who now will have safe, affordable homes to follow their own American dreams from. Additionally, this project injects new life into a disused former school and reinvigorates the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood, building a stronger community for all.”