Congressman Brian Higgins announced that several agencies in Buffalo will receive $5,109,344 in state and federal funds for programs aimed at enhancing and stabilizing communities in the City of Buffalo. 

 “Strong and stable neighborhoods are the foundation of every community,” said Congressman Brian Higgins.  “One vacant home has the potential to negatively impact an entire street.  This funding will go a long way toward improving struggling neighborhoods in the City of Buffalo.”  

 People United for Sustainable Housing (PUSH Buffalo) has been awarded  $645,325, HomeFront Inc. will receive $849,000, Fillmore Leroy Area Residents Inc. (FLARE) has been awarded $980,000, and, as announced jointly by Congressman Higgins, Mayor Brown and Supervisor Holtz, the City of Buffalo and Town of Cheektowaga will receive $2,635,019 for a joint initiative. 

 The funding was a part of $59 million released by Governor Paterson statewide through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP).  Federal dollars authorized by Congress through the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 and state funds through the “nyhomes” program provide support for the NSP. 

 Twenty-nine applicants statewide were awarded funding following a competitive RFP process.  Projects were awarded based for the following purposes:  acquisition and rehabilitation; homebuyer assistance; land banking; demolition of blighted properties; and redevelopment of vacant properties.