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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
On Saturday, May 7th, we'll be hosting a volunteer driven cleanup on Grant Street between Bird Ave and Lafayette Ave. Interested in spending a few hours outdoors this spring, engaging with the community, and helping to beautify and improve Buffalo’s West Side neighborhoods?
Click here to learn more and to register to volunteer! |
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HONORING CESAR CHAVEZ ON EARTH DAY
On Friday, April 22nd, The Service Collaborative of WNY, Serve NY VISTA, and HOCN will be hosting a multi-site service project to honor Cesar Chavez and Earth Day. Volunteers are needed to help cleanup trash and debris on Niagara Street between Porter Avenue and downtown, as well as revitalize a garden at Vive, Inc.
Learn more and register to volunteer by clicking here! |
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DON'T FORGET TO UPDATE YOUR ADDRESS BOOK
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THANK YOU WESTERN NEW YORK FOUNDATION!
We are so grateful to have received the generous gift of $1,000 from The Western New York Foundation to support our operations. The Western New York Foundation supports sustainable organizations that improve the quality of life in Western New York. The Foundation makes investments that build on nonprofits’ proven strengths in order to improve their effectiveness and their ability to fulfill their missions. Thank you, Western New York Foundation!
To learn more about The Western New York Foundation, visit their website. |
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STATE BUDGET ADDRESSES AFFORDABLE HOUSING
On Friday, April 1st, 2016, Governor Cuomo and leaders of the NY State Legislature announced a budget deal with $2 billion in new funding for affordable housing.
Our sincerest thanks to Governor Cuomo and members of the NY State Legislature, including Assemblyman Sean Ryan and Senator Timothy Kennedy, for $2 billion in new funding for a comprehensive statewide housing plan to combat housing affordability and homelessness.
Click here to see the affordable housing budget breakdown by Program.
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THANK YOU FOR SPRINGING IT ON!
A BIG thanks to everyone who participated in our annual online fundraiser this year, Spring It On 2016. Thanks to each of your generous gifts, we raised $615.00! Each dollar raised will go directly back into the community, supporting our volunteer events in 2016.
Click here for more information about Spring It On. |
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HEART OF THE CITY FLASHBACK FACT
Did you know that in the spring of 2011, over 50 volunteers helped Heart of the City Neighborhoods plant over 100 trees around the Niagara Branch Library and D'Youville College? You can view photos from the event (where our amazing volunteers worked through the rain) on our Facebook Page.
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DOWN PAYMENT CLOSING COST ASSISTANCE
Are you purchasing your first home in the City of Buffalo? Up to $5,000 in funding, provided by the City of Buffalo, is available to first time homebuyers to assist with closing cost and down payment expenses towards the purchase of their home anywhere in the City of Buffalo. We can help you apply! For more information, visit our website.
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HOME REPAIR ASSISTANCE FOR 14201 & 14202
Did you know that HOCN has home repair grants for homeowners available in the 14201 and 14202 area? If you're in need of repairs to your home's roof, siding, heating system, windows, and more, contact our office today to learn how we can assist you!
Learn more about this program here.
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LOAN ASSISTANCE FOR NIAGARA DISTRICT
Have high heating bills? Is your roof leaking? Is there water backing up in your basement? If you're a homeowner in the Niagara District in need of assistance making emergency repairs or looking to weatherize your home before next winter, HOCN may be able to assist you!
For more information about available programs through the City of Buffalo, visit our website.
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FAIR HOUSING MONTH RESOURCES
April is National Fair Housing month! The Fair Housing Act was signed this month in 1968 to ensure that everyone has access to quality, affordable housing. We encourage everyone, homeowners and tenants alike, to know their rights and report any incidents of housing discrimination that occur against you and your family. Fair housing is your right, regardless of your race, color, national origin, sex, disability, family status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Unfortunately, housing discrimination is still happening every day.
Help promote fair housing in our communities by displaying a HUD poster in your office, community center, or other gathering spots.
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REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
Heart of the City Neighborhoods, Inc. has been awarded a $300,000 grant through New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s (HCR) Buffalo Main Streets Initiative (BMSI). This grant allows us to assist the owners of commercial and mixed-use properties located on Niagara Street in Buffalo’s Lower West Side with significant building renovation and façade restoration projects. HOCN is currently seeking contractors and architects who would like to be included in our BMSI Program on Niagara Street.
To learn more, click here. |
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DID YOU KNOW? A TENANT/LANDLORD FACT
Did you know that according to New York State's Tenant Rights, landlords of multiple dwellings must keep the apartments and the building’s public areas in “good repair†and clean and free of vermin, garbage or other offensive material? Landlords
are also required to maintain electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating and ventilating systems and appliances that are included in the unit, such as refrigerators and stoves, in good and safe working order. If a landlord fails to do so, a tenant can bring these issues before local housing code enforcement.
To learn more about your rights as a tenant, click here.
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CONNECT WITH NEIGHBORS
Looking for a way to stay in touch with neighbors in our community? Have an event you want to get the word out about? News for your neighbors? A problem you could use a neighborly hand with? Connect on the Lower West Side Facebook Page!
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B DISTRICT MEETING
The Buffalo Police Department's B District hosts monthly community meetings on the second Monday of the month at their headquarters, 695 Main Street.
For questions or to confirm a meeting date, please contact the B District Office at (716) 851-4403.
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RECYCLING INFO
The City of Buffalo as created a helpful online resource to help make recycling easier for you and your household.
Don't have a green recycling tote? Need more for your household? Call 311 today to request your free totes and go green!
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WEST SIDE COMMUNITY CLEANUP
Interested in spending a few hours outdoors this spring, engaging with the community, and helping to beautify and improve Buffalo’s West Side neighborhoods? Join Heart of the City Neighborhoods on Saturday, May 7th at our Spring Community Clean-Up on Grant Street. Learn more and registert to volunteer at www.volunteerwny.org
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HONORING CESAR CHAVEZ ON EARTH DAY
Volunteers are needed to help The Service Collaborative of WNY, Serve NY VISTA, and Heart of the City Neighborhoods clean up Niagara Street and garden at Vive, Inc. on Friday, April 22nd, 2016. To learn more and register to volunteer, visit www.volunteerwny.org
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BULK TRASH
The City of Buffalo will be collecting Spring Bulk Trash in our community this April. Please leave your bulk trash items on the curb on the Sunday night allocated for your Council District.
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TAX CREDIT WORKSHOP
Preservation Buffalo Niagara, Preservation League of NYS, NYS Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation will be hosting a meeting to show homeowners how you can save money while making repairs to your older home. The event will be held at Karpeles Manuscript Library on May 10th at 6:00pm, free for members of Preservation Buffalo Niagara and/or Preservation League; $10 for general public. Learn more and register here.
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