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Housing Programs
Owner Occupied Repair
We administer the City of Buffalo Owner Occupied Repair Program for the Fillmore Council District. Depending on funding availability, we also administer housing rehab programs funded by New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal and the Affordable Housing Corporation.
Real Estate Development/ Management
Gateway Longview Project
Owner/ Developer: Urban Center
Construction Manager: Savarino Construction
Architect: George Lukaszewicz
Sub-Lessee/ Program Operator: Gateway Longview
Funder: NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, Bureau of Housing Services
The Urban Center has partnered with Gateway Longview to build a 12 unit building on Madison and Monroe Streets in Buffalo, NY. The Matt Urban Center would build and own the building and Gateway Longview would place tenants who are aging out of the foster care system. This development would be serving an underserved population between the ages of 18- 21 in a supervised living environment. The tenants may or may not be single parents, both male and female. The 2 story building will be built on 7 lots (currently vacant). Preliminary drawings of the building show the exterior will be brick with cedar shingles and there will be and attached playground. There will also be a day care (for tenants only), an educational learning lab with computers, onsite case management, and linkages to other Gateway Longview services.
Crescent Village Project
Owner/ Developer: Urban Center
Builder: New Cal Construction
Architect: Galbo Architects
Funder: City of Buffalo, New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal, Affordable Housing Corporation,
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York
The Crescent Village Project consists of a comprehensive approach to rebuilding a small section of the Broadway Fillmore area of the City of Buffalo. This targeted area of the Broadway Fillmore District has been plagued by abandoned houses, spot demolitions, pre 1920 construction and is considered to be an area of slum and blight. Approximately 12 years ago the Darul –Uloom Mosque opened on Sobieski Street and its members started to populate the surrounding area. These new residents purchased existing homes and renovated them, reduced crime in the area and embarked on a multi year project to renovate the 16 block area around their Mosque. Over the last 2 years there have been a series of community meetings with the Mosque members, the City of Buffalo Office of Strategic Planning and the Urban Center to plan for the growth of the community. This comprehensive project consists of building new energy efficient market rate and grant subsidized houses, as well as rehabilitation of some of the salvageable, existing housing stock. In addition to the New Build and Owner Occupied Rehabilitation Projects, the agency has been working on several acquisition- rehab- resale projects. Through this program we rescue houses that have been slated for demolition and turn them into quality sustainable homeownership opportunities. This Project is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds.
Agency Owned and Operated Real Estate
Parkview Apartments – 104 Lewis Street, Buffalo, NY
AWA – 185 Rother Avenue, Buffalo, NY
187 Lombard Street, Buffalo, NY
Housing Court Liaison and Receivership Administration
The Housing Department continues to serve as the Fillmore District liaison for Housing Court. In this capacity, we represent the district in court and work to address quality of life issues for our residents. Through the Receivership Program, Housing Court Judge Nowak appoints the Matt Urban Center to make necessary repairs and address code violations in rented neglected properties throughout the City of Buffalo. Currently, we have over 80 units in receivership. The Housing Department has been working closely with the Homeless Outreach Program to place displaced tenants as a result of City Court Order’s to Vacate.
Community Development
The Housing Department continues to attend the East Buffalo Good Neighbors Planning Alliance, Weed and Seed, and the B roadway Area Business Association meetings to provide support and market our various programs.
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