Our Housing Development Office provides a variety of programs to improve the health, energy efficiency, affordability, and stability of the housing stock in Erie County.
Home Health
The health and safety of our families start with the health of our home. We strive to remove home health hazards–such as lead, asbestos, mold, and others–and eliminate mobility challenges for senior or disabled residents.
Energy Efficency
Older homes, like those that are iconic in our region, are more likely to need weatherization and energy efficiency upgrades. These conditions can leave families with high energy bills as they attempt to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. We strive to leverage weatherization of homes to reduce energy burdens that strain family finances and to reduce the overall carbon footprint of our region.
Affordability
Finding quality, affordable housing is a challenge for families throughout Western New York. We strive to expand housing affordability through the development of high quality, affordable housing, such as St. Martin Village that CAO constructed in 2011.
Stability
Many families throughout Western New York struggle to maintain their housing stability because of the myriad financial pressures placed on households today. We strive to assist families in finding housing stability through emergency rental assistance, foreclosure prevention, and case management services.
Rent and Mortgage Relief
There are a range of different programs that have emerged to assist individuals with rent and mortgage payments through the COVID-19 pandemic. Here at CAO Housing Development, it is our priority to make sure that you and your family have stable housing during these precarious times and that you receive the assistance that makes the most sense for your unique situation. With that in mind, review the program details below to find relief that suits your housing needs.
Erie County residents who have a documented loss of income relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and have fallen behind on their rent or mortgage (funds limited to $1,000), as a result, are eligible to apply.
A completed application AND the following documentation are needed:
– Proof of COVID-19 Related Loss of Income
– Current Picture ID – Proof of 1 Months Current Income – Documented Proof of Social Security Number – Notice of Past Due Rent/Mortgage – Rental/Lease Agreement or Landlord Statement – Landlord/Mortgage Lender Certification – W9 Form Completed by Landlord/Mortgage Lender – Denial notice from Erie County Department of Social Services or Tenants Not Eligible for the Past Due Rent Assistance (for renters) – Copy of 2019 Income Tax Returns (for homeowners)
Eligible applicants must demonstrate that they have the ability to remain current on their rent/mortgage going forward and complete4 months of budget coaching after receiving assistance through the program. For more information, call Housing Development at 716.881.6543.
First Month’s Rent
Erie County residents are eligible to apply if they have a documented loss of income relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and a need to relocate relating to COVID-19.
A completed application AND the following documentation are needed:
– Proof of COVID-19 Related Loss of Income
– Notice of Past Due Rent/Mortgage (if applicable) – Current Picture ID – Copy of New Signed Rental/Lease Agreement – Proof of Housing Assistance or Vouchers (if applicable) – Proof of 1 Months Current Income – Documented Proof of Social Security Number – Landlord Certification – W9 Form Completed by Landlord
Eligible applicants must demonstrate that they have the ability to remain current on their rent going forward and complete4 months of budget coaching after receiving assistance through the program. For more information, call Housing Development at 716.881.6543.
Drew Canfield
Director of Housing Development
Phone: (716) 881-6543
Email: dcanfield@caowny.org
Address: 564 Dodge Street, Building #400,
Buffalo NY 14208
The RESTORE program is an owner-occupied repair program that specifically targets improving home health and safety for residents of the Fillmore and Ellicott Districts who are age 60 or older. All repairs are completed FREE OF CHARGE and enable residents of age in place through improvements to home health, safety, and mobility. Please call our office for more information on the availability of funds and eligibility requirements.
Community Home Improvement Resource Program
The Community Home Improvement Resource Program (CHIRP) enables residents, both homeowners and renters, to strategically layer a variety of home repair and energy assistance programs throughout the county to to design an individualized home improvement plan. Through case management and home improvement counseling, CAO Housing Developments assists residents through the resource navigation process. Give us a call for more information on CHIRP.
Rental Search Assistance
Finding affordable housing can be extremely difficult. Our rental search assistance program helps empower individuals to search for housing online, apply for affordable housing and voucher programs wait lists. For help with an affordable rental search please call our office or email Salisa Watson as swatson@caowny.org.
Masten Home Repair Program
Our Masten Home Repair Program provides funding to low and moderate-income households located in the Masten District to make necessary health, safety, and efficiency repairs to their homes. Grants for this program are based on funding availability. Please call to see if grant funds are available and for additional eligibility requirements.
Seeking Qualified Contractors
CAO Housing Development completes over 36 home repair projects per year and is always seeking new contractors to include in our calls for bids. Please call our office at 716.881.6543 if you are a contractor interested in getting added to our contractor list.
CAO offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday, Thursday, November 26th and Friday, November 27th. We will reopen on Monday, November 30th. (Our DART Clinic will remain open.)
