Community Hope Mt. Aaron Village

The goal of this HCR-supported project was to redevelop 2.15 acres of individual vacant parcels along Adams Street, Genesee Street, and Grey Street in Buffalo, New York. All parcels, formerly brownfield sites, were combined into one property. The project encompasses a total of 59 affordable units, small commercial space, on-site parking, a small play area for children, and landscaping throughout the development.

The three-story, 54,700 sq. ft. main building features 43 apartments comprised of single-, double-, and triple-bedroom units. This building also incorporates a 3,000 sq. ft. commercial space dedicated to community resources provided by BestSelf Behavioral Health. In addition to the main building, there are three townhome buildings with a total of 16 three-bedroom home units. The buildings were sited to be consistent with Genesee and Grey streets’ original urban fabric in Buffalo.

This project achieved multiple successes, including using vacant brownfield property and developing it into much-needed multi-family residential and low-income housing, establishing community improvements which in turn help create safer neighborhoods, and the appeal for neighboring properties to make individual improvements.