Finding housing in Buffalo is not an easy journey to take. Whether you’re looking to rent or own, it can be tough, but there are organizations that want to help you out. Finding housing assistance can be a daunting and challenging task. Whether you are searching for affordable rentals or looking to become a homeowner, the process can feel overwhelming. However, despite the difficulties, it is important to remember that help is available.

Numerous organizations and resources exist to provide support and guidance to individuals and families in need of housing assistance. From financial coaching and rental programs to grants and loans for home repairs, these local resources are dedicated to helping individuals navigate the housing market and find suitable housing options. With their expertise and commitment, these organizations offer a glimmer of hope and assurance that finding housing assistance is indeed possible.

Addressing Poverty, Aging Infrastructure, and Rising Costs

“Everybody deserves a home, doesn’t matter if you rent or buy, and everybody deserves a safe home,”

said Kelley Swan, COO and interim CEO at NeighborWorks. Between poverty, old housing stock, and weather events that cause damage, affordable housing in Buffalo is hard to come by.

Supporting Landlords and Tenants Through Funding and Programs

It’s that time of year when a lot of landlords are making repairs, which have gotten more costly in the past few years, forcing some of them to raise rents. One landlord was able to renovate a home in East Buffalo to prep it for a woman and her children, but it came with a $26,000 price tag. “Without Home Headquarters, I wouldn’t have been able to do it. We have several rental properties, and they’ve been able to help us,” said Jacqueline Johnson, who’s owned properties in Buffalo for decades.

Empowering Homeowners with Financial Assistance

She used a program that gave her a $5,000 grant from the Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency (BURA), and the rest was covered by a loan from Home Headquarters. “We definitely have had some tears shed in this office because many people were trying to get access to finance for years and haven’t been able to until we came around,” said Anna Falicov, Deputy Executive Director at Home Headquarters.

Looking for housing resources, here are some helpful links:

Home Repair Fund

The Buffalo & Erie County Home Improvement Fund provides homeowners in Buffalo and throughout Erie County, New York, with a 50/50 loan/grant program for $20,000-25,000.

Landlord Property Improvement Fund

Buffalo area Landlords, of one to four-unit properties, can now access loan funds of up to $25,000 to address lead paint hazards and other health and safety needs in their rental properties.

Mortgage and closing assistance

Up to $9,000 ($5,000 as a deferred loan/grant and $4,000 in a low-interest loan) in Closing Cost Assistance is available to eligible homebuyers. The $9,000 is available to Home HeadQuarters’ mortgage customers only.

FlexFund Loan Program

Provides homeowners throughout New York with loans of up to $20,000 for home repairs or energy efficiency-related improvements.

Heart of the City

Lead Hazard Reduction Program (Upper West Side Only)

Emergency Assistance Program (Buffalo only)

NeighborWorks

Wherever you are in WNY, NeighborWorks can try to help you with housing. From financial coaching to renting to homeowning, they say if they can’t help you, they’ll find someone who can.

NeighborWorks services

HOME (Housing Opportunities Made Equal)

For help finding housing, call (716.854.1400) or email (info@homeny.org)

The Making Moves Program (MMP) is open to families with at least one child who has a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher. Those who qualify for the program are eligible for housing search assistance as well as financial assistance for security deposits or moving expenses. Click here for more info.

PUSH Buffalo

PUSH offers a number of housing opportunities. Click here for a list of applications. Completed applications can be emailed to propertymgt@pushbuffalo.org

Erie County

  • Housing Rehabilitation Program
  • Rental Rehabilitation Program
  • Lead Paint Remediation Grant Program
  • Mobile Home Repair Program
  • Housing Accessibility Program
  • Utility Connection Program
  • Fair Housing Program
  • Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program – Homeless Prevention & Rapid Rehousing

Click here for info on each of these programs