BengalNews Reporters
The West Side is becoming a popular
location for homebuyers because of affordable housing and the rehabilitation of
neighborhoods.
That’s according to Laura Sweat,
deputy director of West Side and Black Rock-Riverside Neighborhood Housing
Services. The organization’s records show that the number of homeowners it
created last year doubled 2011’s numbers.
Sweat’s service was among many other groups that attended the West Side
Housing Partnership Annual Housing Fair April 13 at
the Loretto Ministry Center on 301 14th St. The event was hosted by Heart of
the City Neighborhoods, Inc.
About
a dozen organizations including PUSH Green, Americorps Opportunity Corps and
HomeFront Inc. participated in the fair to aid people in their pursuit of
buying a house on the West Side.
Sweat believes organizations like
the ones at the event are the
reason for the increasing appeal of purchasing a home on the West Side. Her
organization’s goal is to preserve and revitalize Buffalo’s neighborhoods by
providing safe, affordable and sustainable housing opportunities for people
interested in purchasing houses.
“The West Side Housing Partnership
is full of groups that work closely with residents,” Sweat said. “They’re very
engaged and are starting to do stuff that people are noticing to bring back the
West Side.”
Jennifer
Yuhnke, Heart of the City development coordinator, said her organization
collaborates with the diverse organizations that support similar causes.
“We meet once a month, exchange information
and try to figure out ways to reach out to the West Side residents better,”
Yuhnke said. “Residents need to know that there are some quality, affordable
houses in the West Side.”
