Mayor Sean Ryan, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz Celebrate First Home Sold Through Building Buffalo Roots Program

Twenty-four additional affordable homes will be listed as City-County initiative continues expanding homeownership opportunities across Buffalo

Mayor Sean Ryan and Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz today joined Belmont Housing Resources for Western New York and the Buffalo Erie Niagara Land Improvement Corporation (BENLIC) at a home on Calumet Place to celebrate the first home sold through the Building Buffalo Roots program, and announce the next round of newly constructed homes available to prospective buyers.

“Buying this home was such an unexpected blessing for my son and I,” said new homeowner Jocklyn Walton.

Building Buffalo Roots is transforming vacant properties into quality, affordable homes for low- and moderate-income buyers. The program is supported by $11.1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding awarded to the City of Buffalo - $13.5 million awarded to Erie County, and a $1 million grant awarded through Empire State Development’s (ESD) County Infrastructure Grant Program. The combined investment will support the construction of 47 homes throughout Buffalo.

“This first closing represents exactly what Building Buffalo Roots was created to accomplish: giving a Buffalo family the opportunity to own a quality home, build equity, and put down lasting roots in our city,” Mayor Ryan said. “At the same time, we are turning long vacant properties into homes that strengthen neighborhoods and contribute to Buffalo’s future.”

Twenty-one Building Buffalo Roots homes have been listed to date, with 15 already sold or under contract. An additional 24 homes will be listed beginning Sept. 9. “Today is an especially meaningful milestone for me because I had the opportunity to help develop Building Buffalo Roots during my time with Erie County,” Deputy Mayor Thomas Baines said. “It is incredibly rewarding to now see the program welcome its first homeowner and create real pathways to homeownership for Buffalo families. This partnership is transforming vacant land into quality, affordable homes where residents can build equity, invest in their future, and put down lasting roots.”

“Today’s announcement highlights further progress as Erie County, the City of Buffalo, and our partners work collaboratively to provide more opportunities for quality, stable, affordable homeownership,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “We are excited to welcome the first new homeowners in the Building Buffalo Roots portion of our single family home program, as we have recently done in Cheektowaga. With more homes coming online and proceeds reflowing from these sales, we look forward to reinvesting and expanding this program to provide more homeownership opportunities for Buffalo and Erie County.”

“We are proud to support the Building Buffalo Roots program through Governor Hochul’s County Infrastructure Grant Program, which funded the vital water lines, sewers, and utility systems for these homes,” said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight. “By modernizing local infrastructure, New York State is directly driving economic development, enhancing our neighborhoods, and opening doors to new housing and tourism opportunities.”

Applications for the newly listed homes will open Saturday, Sept. 12, at 2 p.m. Belmont Housing Resources will manage the application process and assist prospective buyers with program requirements.

Open houses will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, at the following locations:

• 766 East Amherst St.

• 449 Berkshire Ave.

• 66 O’Connell St.

Belmont Housing Resources for WNY is excited to work with BENLIC, the County and the City on this exciting homeownership opportunity. Homeownership has long been the primary way for families to build wealth, particularly for low-to moderate-income households. Owning a home can offer families stability, security, and a legacy to pass on to the next generation.

Prospective buyers must meet program requirements, including income and asset limits, and must use the home as their primary residence.

For application materials, eligibility requirements, and a complete list of available homes, visit www. belmonthousingwny.org/ bbr.