Housing Programs
Congratulations to the Housing Department for being awarded the City of Buffalo Community Partnerships Initiative contract for the Fillmore and Lovejoy Districts. The goal of this initiative is to build and sustain healthy and stable neighborhoods, create affordable housing rehabilitation and homeowner opportunities, and address neighborhood quality of life issues. Thank you to the City of Buffalo.
Owner Occupied Repair
Depending on funding availability, we administer housing rehab programs funded by the City of Buffalo, New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal and the Affordable Housing Corporation. Repairs programs are open now. Limited slots are available. Call 893-7222x 213 for information.
Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance
Funds are available to assist low income first time home buyers. Call 893-7222x 213 for information.
Wells Fargo Foundation Security and Safety Program
The Housing Department received funds from the Wells Fargo Foundation to administer a Security and Safety Program for area residents. This program provides smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and/or deadbolt locks to eligible households. Labor is not provided. PROGRAM CLOSED. 123 items were given away to East Buffalo residents!
Agency Owned and Operated Real Estate- call 893-7222 x 222 for information
*Monroe Place- 296 Monroe Street, Buffalo, NY
*Parkview Senior Apartments- 104 Lewis Street, Buffalo, NY
*AWA- 185 Rother Avenue, Buffalo, NY
~Matt Urban Center's Tenants Association at AWA Community Garden Project-AWA tenants are growing fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers which will be available for sale. These items will be grown on raised beds in back of our building (lots are on Sycamore). The idea is to show our tenants how to grow their own healthy, safe and affordable food, provide an employment opportunity, as well as teach what real food is as opposed to the abundance of fat-, sugar-and preservative-laden items found on store shelves.
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 Carney 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. Call 893-7222x 214 for information.
Community Development
The Housing Department continues to attend the East Buffalo Good Neighbors Planning Alliance, Weed and Seed, the Broadway Area Business Association, and Buffalo Green Code meetings to provide support and market our various programs.
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Housing Staff Directory
Leslie Vishwanath, Housing Director
lvishwanath@urbanctr.org, 716.893.7222 x 214
Leslie has been with the Urban Center for 9 years. She has her Bachelors in Policy Studies from Indiana University and her Masters in Urban Planning from the University at Buffalo. Leslie has worked on various housing and community development programs to bring about social change and improve the quality of life for residents of the Fillmore Council district . Through her work with the community, she identifies needs and opportunities and develops and implements programs to improve the lives of neighborhood residents.
Erica Tornquist, Community Housing Specialist
etornquist@urbanctr.org, 716.893.7222 x 213
Erica joined the Urban Center in 2008. She has her Masters in Urban Planning from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Erica has worked on state and federally funded housing projects throughout New York State. She stays busy writing grants, managing our owner occupied housing rehabilitation programs, and providing support to our Housing Court Receivership Program.
Tony Luppino, Apartment Manager
tluppino@urbanctr.org, 716.893.7222 x 222
Tony has worked in the Housing Department at the Urban Center since Summer 2006. Before joining the agency, he worked in the City of Buffalo's Office of Strategic (OSP) Planning for ten years after spending over fifteen years in the not-for-profit sector as a community organizer, researcher and public policy advocate. His decade of work in City government included monitoring and reporting to track implementation of Federally funded projects, as well as research and staff support for the City's Environmental Management Commission.
Gordon Williams, Housing Specialist
Gordon has been with the Matt Urban Center since 2011. He has completed the Erie County Dept of Health Lead Poisoning Prevention Program for Lead Safe Work Practices and attending trainings for OSHA and Green and Healthy Homes. He has been the program supervisor for the Matt Urban Housing and Community Development Green Jobs and Workforce Education Initiative. This On the Job Training Program provided technical training, technical skills, and basic job skills that helped prepare our welfare to work program participants to enter the employment fields of home repair and renovation, home painting, lead hazard control, risk assessment, environmental contracting, and green demolition contracting. Currently as Housing Specialist, Gordon assists with program implementation and outreach.
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| Housing and Community Development Staff (missing Gordon Williams and Lynn Wardour) |
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Housing Testimonials:
"On Tuesday February 23, 2010 the plumber finished running copper pipes from the main to under the house. I thank you so much for all you have done to get the job done. You are sincerely appreciated." ~Curtis L, Buffalo, NY
"With special thanks for all your help with my house." ~Iris D, Buffalo, NY
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