Erie County Offers Housing Rehabilitation Program for Seniors and Low Income Families

October 15, 2009

More than 100 homeowners in communities throughout Erie County have benefitted annually from the Erie County Housing Rehabilitation Program.  This initiative, created by the County’s Department of Environment and Planning, helps low income homeowners make critical home repairs.  The program is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Additionally, the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York gave Erie County a grant of $176,085 last year to rehabilitate 15 additional homes in the first ward of Lackawanna.  M&T Bank partnered with Erie County to receive that grant.

Erie County Executive Chris Collins joined Virginia Burton outside her home on Holland Avenue in Lackawanna to highlight the County program.  The County replaced Burton’s siding, repaired her chimney and remediated lead paint issues in her house.

Virginia Burton said, “I’m incredibly grateful for this County program.  These are repairs I would not have been able to afford without this help.”

“This program not only helps seniors who can’t afford to fix up their homes, it helps improve the look of their neighborhoods,” said Erie County Executive Chris Collins.  “I’d like to thank M&T Bank for partnering with us to receive a grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York to make this initiative possible in Lackawanna.  I’m happy we’re able to offer this program to help seniors stay in their homes as long as possible.”

“Safe, decent and affordable housing is vital to the quality of life in all communities,” said Alfred A. DelliBovi, president and CEO of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York. “The Federal Home Loan Bank of New York is proud to partner with M&T Bank through our Affordable Housing Program to support Erie County’s Housing Rehabilitation Program. The improvements made by these efforts will benefit the entire community.”

"The City of Lackawanna has always been part of the commercial and residential foundation of the Western New York region. We believe the city has many assets which merit further investment and rehabilitation, including its older homes, and we look forward to continue working with Erie County, the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York and other partners on additional redevelopment projects," said JoAnne Schwartz, M&T Bank CRA Officer.

This program is available to low income homeowners, according to guidelines provided by the federal government.  For more information, or to apply, contact Ellary Mori in the County’s Department of Environment and Planning at 858-2733.