BMHA Secures $2.76 Million In Federal Grants For Physical Upgrades and Replacement Of Security Camera Systems
The Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority (BMHA) has been awarded $2.76 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for physical improvements at Ferry Grider Homes and a new security camera system at Kenfield and Langfield Homes. The awards, announced at today’s BMHA Board of Commissioners meeting, include a $2,530,991 grant from HUD’s highly competitive Capital Improvements for At Risk, Receivership, Substandard, and Troubled Public Housing Authorities Program.
“This award marks a tremendous achievement for BMHA. Of the $11.5 million available nationwide, only a select number of public housing authorities were chosen to receive funding, and BMHA secured more than 22 percent of the total funds,” said BMHA Executive Director Gillian D. Brown. “This funding award reflects HUD’s confidence in BMHA’s vision, planning, and commitment to improving residents’ quality of life.”
The funding will support the full rehabilitation of more than 70 long-term vacant units, enabling the BMHA to address longstanding physical deficiencies, improve housing quality, increase occupancy, strengthen building systems, and enhance the resident experience. These investments will help preserve affordable housing while creating safer, more attractive, and more sustainable homes for current and future residents.
The BMHA also announced it secured a $232,800 HUD Emergency Safety and Security Grant to replace the obsolete and inadequate video surveillance system at Kenfield and Langfield Homes. The grant will replace all security cameras across the BMHA’s two largest developments with a modern system to enhance resident safety, support local law enforcement, and enable efficient, cost-effective system management.
“With support from this grant, BMHA will continue its phased, authority wide replacement of outdated cameras. This investment is a sound use of resources, providing residents with greater peace of mind through increased surveillance coverage around their homes and further strengthening the safety and security of our developments,” Brown said.
In action items, the commissioners approved negotiating seasonal snow removal contracts with Aaron’s Landscaping & Snow Removal, DMJ Property Service, Inc.
Elber’s Landscaping and K&F Landscaping, at a cost not to exceed $426,313.
In addition to publishing a snow removal request for proposals covering 21 BMHA properties in The Buffalo News, as well as in The Challenger, Buffalo Criterion, and La Ultima Hora weekly publications, the BMHA also directly solicited 45 firms. Five contractors submitted proposals, which the BMHA’s technical evaluation team reviewed and scored.