Five firms to be approved for affordable housing development projects that will use ARPA funds
Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz and Erie County Legislature Chairwoman April N.M. Baskin were joined today by Erie County Department of Environment and Planning Commissioner Daniel Castle to announce the second round of affordable housing awards for multi-family housing projects that will be made possible through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.
A resolution that will be acted upon by the County Legislature later this week calls for the awarding of contracts to five firms to use the ARPA funding to expand the supply, quality and diversity of affordable housing in Erie County. The funding will also help to increase the total capacity of new and emerging affordable housing developers and build skills that can be utilized for future affordable housing development projects.
The ARPA funding was previously re-appropriated to the Department of Environment & Planning in September 2023. This latest round of affordable housing will create an additional 48 units as the county takes advantage of the Biden/Harris administration’s goal of helping to expand and diversify affordable housing options in Western New York.
“We are all aware that there is an affordable housing crisis occurring throughout our nation, including right here in Erie County,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “Simply put, our region, just like the rest of the country, needs more affordable housing. That’s why I am committed to working with my partners in the County Legislature to support forward-thinking efforts as we aim towards a shared goal of expanding and enhancing affordable housing. I thank Chairwoman Baskin for her vision in supporting the passage of a resolution that will help alleviate the housing crunch and once again thank the Biden/Harris administration for delivering the funding for the program through the American Rescue Plan.”
“I am most proud of the diverse group of developers chosen for this grant today” said Erie County Legislature Chairwoman April N.M. Baskin. “Each of the developers chosen are educated, knowledgeable, resourceful and have done the work to properly prepare an affordable housing project that aligns with industry standards and help alleviate the housing burden many Erie County residents face.”
The names and addresses of each project, awarded contractors and total dollar amounts are:
- “Park 75” at 1175 Delaware Ave. in Buffalo by Cedarland Development Group; $275,000
- “Sacred Heart” at 198 Emslie St. in Buffalo by Rugo Holdings, Inc.; $250,000
- “Loads of Love” at 59-61 Laurel St. in Buffalo by Barrett & Benitez Development, LLC; $250,000
- “The Gibson: Creative Art Space & Apartments” at 232 Gibson St. in Buffalo by Amerie Rose, LLC; $150,000
- “Hopkins Manor” at 696 Hopkins St. in Buffalo by Triton Ventures, LLC; $75,000
