New Developments Aim To End Buffalo Homelessness 

Driving through the streets of Buffalo, you may notice homeless people gathered under bridges or at intersections asking for money.

Recently, there has been a push from the local government, independent organizations, and generous individuals to lower the homeless rate and create living arrangements for these people in need.

According to the Partnership for the Public Good, Buffalo has both a crisis of abandoned housing and a severe homelessness crisis. This is evident simply by walking around the city.

Due to the increasing number of people in need, many organizations have been solely focused on helping these vulnerable individuals.

The Homeless Alliance of WNY was established in 1992 by the Erie County Legislature, but has recently become a larger factor in ending homelessness. The organization has housed over 1,300 individuals, connected over 6,100 to services, and has collected over $19 million to combat this problem. This West Buffalo agency is located on Delaware Avenue.

Continuum of Care Supervisor Daniella Gallego believes homelessness is a problem that can be solved. “By collaborating with community partners and making clear decisions, we can overstep these barriers to help those in need,” Gallego said.

The agency also hosts events and gatherings to spread awareness. People can volunteer or donate during these events, which provide meals to the needy.

According to the Homeless Alliance of WNY, there are 1,230 sheltered homeless people in Erie County. This is over 200 more than the count in 2024, and the goal is for all homeless people to be sheltered and accounted for in the future. Once this goal is near completion, the next goal of ending homelessness as a whole can start to make way.

Training Coordinator Nicole LaLonde helps put together these events and works each day to help solve the problem of homelessness. LaLonde believes the most impactful recent development is the opening of Amy’s Place of Hope at the beginning of October. This brand new shelter on Sycamore Street is named after Amy Betros, the co-founder of St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy.

“They will be serving as a community access center and men’s shelter offering over 90 beds and 80 code blue cots,” LaLonde said.

These 80 beds will be used when a code blue is called in the city, meaning the weather is so extremely cold that people living in the streets could be severely injured or die from just being outside.

This new facility is set on the east side of Buffalo and was built by the organization Build Promise.

Sam DiVincenzo, executive director of Build Promise, notes the new facility has showers, laundry facilities, medical care, and a place to get haircuts. “We will be able to offer everything from mental health services to peer services,” DiVincenzo said in a press conference earlier this month.

People across the Western New York region have noticed an improvement due to these organizations. Matthew Szczepanski is a volunteer firefighter in the Buffalo area and has helped put out countless fires in the city and the surrounding area. “A major problem we see is that squatters start living in remains from a previous fire. Abandoned housing provides a space for them to live, but it is simply unsafe living conditions,” Szczepanski said.

Szczepanski says these abandoned residences are major dangers to homeless people or squatters living in them. There could be gas leaks, carbon monoxide issues, or electrical problems that could lead to spontaneous combustion.

While these abandoned places may seem like a potential solution, they are sometimes even more dangerous to sleep in than a city bench or under a highway bridge.

To help the cause to end homelessness, people can donate to organizations like the Homeless Alliance of WNY and Build Promise. The Homeless Alliance also has an Amazon wish list that contains items that could instantly help a person in need. By: Cal McTigue

 Budding New Business Grows Popular in Elmwood Village

When New York legalized recreational marijuana, Nicole “Nikki” Burkhart saw more than a new business venture, she saw a chance to create something meaningful with her family. As a longtime entrepreneur and former tattoo shop owner, Burkhart combined her community-driven spirit with her husband’s experience in the cannabis industry to open The Joint, a family-operated dispensary in Elmwood Village. The new shop marks a return to their roots in the same building where their previous business once thrived. 

Baron Burkhart and Budtender Andrew Lapenna in the lobby of The Joint

The Joint opened its doors on June 20, 2025, becoming the first licensed dispensary in Buffalo’s Elmwood Village. Despite doing no advertising, word about the business spread like wildfire throughout the neighborhood. Burkhart said many customers found them simply by walking past or hearing about the store through friends and family who frequent the area. She touches on the warm response that reflects how attitudes toward cannabis have evolved, with more residents embracing legalization and supporting small, locally owned businesses like hers. For Burkhart, the community's trust means more than sales figures or marketing campaigns — it represents a shared sense of progress and belonging. 

As customers continue to discover The Joint, Burkhart and her family say they’re focused on creating a comfortable, welcoming space that stands apart from other dispensaries.

“I like to think we have a different vibe than everybody else,” Nikki Burkhart said. “We’re not sterile or cold. I just want it to be a homier feeling. I want people to come in, feel comfortable, feel safe and not feel awkward.”

That personal touch is what sets The Joint apart. Burkhart, her husband Frank, and their small team make a point to assist every customer personally. “We ask a lot of questions, make sure they’re getting the right products, and educate them as best we can,” she said. “We really care about our customers. I know it sounds cheesy, but we truly do.”

Opening the business was not an easy task. Burkhart said it took nearly a year and a half to get licensed. “I applied as soon as the window opened,” she said. “I never thought I’d actually get it — there were thousands of applicants ahead of me.” When she finally got the approval call in December of 2024, she said it felt “like a dream come true.”

Since opening, the dispensary has been embraced and accepted by the community. “We didn’t do any advertising,” Burkhart said. “People just flew through the doors. The neighborhood has been amazing. No one spoke against us when we went before the Common Council.”

Budtender Andrew Lapenna, who lives just minutes away, said The Joint reflects the culture of Elmwood Village. “Before I worked here, I went to other dispensaries that felt like Apple Stores,” he said. “This one feels real — like the actual cannabis culture I grew up with. It’s relaxed, friendly and true to the community.”

For Baron Burkhart, Nikki’s son, joining the family business has been both rewarding and eye-opening. “It’s crazy working with my parents every day,” he said. “I used to wait for them to come home from work — now I’m right there with them. It’s been awesome. I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else.”

Together, the Burkharts and their staff say The Joint’s mission goes beyond selling cannabis; it’s about breaking stigma, building trust and becoming part of Buffalo’s growing story.

As The Joint continues to grow, Nikki Burkhart's goal isn’t just to run a successful dispensary but to help normalize cannabis and foster connection within the community. She hopes her family’s example shows that legal marijuana businesses can operate responsibly and bring people together. “People my age were told weed was a bad thing,” she said. “Now we know it can help people and strengthen communities.” Looking ahead, Burkhart plans to expand her product selection and continue educating customers about safe, informed use. “We’re proud to be part of this change,” she said. “At the end of the day, it’s not just about cannabis — it’s about people, family and community.” By: Ahmari Stevens

“Falliday” Market provides weekend activities and shopping

The best way to spend a fall day this year may be at the “Falliday” Market, 

hosted by Buffalo Holiday Market. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday this 

October, the front lawn of the Richardson Olmsted Campus is home to a 

plethora of vendors and fall activities. The market hosts a line-up of artisan 

crafts, food and drink vendors as well as bounce houses, trolley rides and live

music. Every Friday at 7p.m., movie nights are hosted on the lawn in the 

center of the ring of wooden chalet booths. “When it’s Gilmore Girls season 

and you find the perfect little market in your backyard,” boasts their 

Instagram page, comparing the cozy fall vibes of the market to that of the hit

TV show. To find more information about hours, parking and activities, visit 

the Buffalo Holiday Market website. By: Grace Cole