Hochul Celebrates Groundbreaking on Redevelopment of Commodore Perry Homes in Buffalo

Monday June 3, 2024 4:05 p.m.

A $254 million project comprising 27 buildings will replace a vacant 24-building complex, creating 405 new affordable apartments in Buffalo’s First Ward neighborhood.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the start of work on the redevelopment of the Commodore Perry Homes in Buffalo’s First Ward neighborhood. The new all-electric development will include 405 affordable homes across 27 newly constructed buildings.

“Through this investment, we are transforming the Perry Homes site from a symbol of decline and decadence to one of renaissance and resurgence,” Hochul said. “This community-focused development will open opportunities for residents and businesses, while increasing Buffalo’s cutting-edge affordable housing options.

Hochul’s team said, “Over the past five years, New York State Homes and Community Renewal has created or preserved more than 12,000 affordable housing units in Erie County. Commodore Perry Homes continues this effort and is part of Hochul’s $25 billion comprehensive housing plan that will create or preserve 100,000 affordable housing units across New York, including 10,000 with supportive services for vulnerable populations, as well as electrification of 50,000 additional homes.

“After many years of planning and work, the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority and development team have prepared a comprehensive transformation plan for the Commodore Perry Public Housing Development District. Perry Homes I is the first phase of this multi-phase transformation plan and involves the redevelopment of an 18-acre portion of the existing social housing development site.

“The project began in mid-April with the demolition of 24 abandoned and vacant structures that had been closed for a decade. The demolished buildings will be replaced with 27 buildings, including three mid-rise mixed-use buildings with 9,000 square feet of commercial space and 24 two- and three-story townhouse-style apartment buildings.

“Once completed, the new Perry Homes will include 405 high-quality apartments, all of which will be affordable to households with incomes at or below 60% of the area median income. Of the total units, 284 will be covered by a Section 8 Project-Based Housing Assistance Payment contract, administered by the Office of Multifamily Housing of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“The redevelopment will also include comprehensive on-site amenities including a centrally located property management office, maintenance room, mail and package rooms, two community rooms with kitchenettes, three fitness centers, laundry room common on each floor and a bicycle room. Residents will benefit from free high-speed internet service and Wi-Fi, as well as access to green spaces and outdoor amenities, such as four playgrounds, each designed to maximize children’s play. children aged 2 to 12; several groves of trees; rain gardens to support stormwater management practices; and two outdoor plazas with picnic tables, card tables, benches and a gathering and programming room.

“On-site surface parking, including 30 electric vehicle charging points provided through a partnership with Tesla, will be accessible throughout the site for residential tenants, business visitors and management staff.

“Perry Homes I is designed to be a highly efficient all-electric project meeting Enterprise Green Communities 2020 Plus certification requirements and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready Home Version 1 program. As part of New York State’s Homes and Community Renewal clean energy initiative, new buildings will feature high-performance windows, upgraded insulation, a combination of high-efficiency LED lighting mounted on the building to promote safety, and solar panels on all three. mid-rise buildings. Each apartment will be equipped with inverter-powered air-source heat pumps for air conditioning and heating, electric water heaters, ENERGY STAR certified dishwashers, refrigerators, washers and dryers, and appliances. low flow plumbing.

The site is in the First Ward neighborhood in south Buffalo. Residents will have access to the New York Thruway via I-190 at Louisiana Street and Perry Street. Bus access, available along South Park Avenue and Perry Street, provides access to downtown and workplaces. There are many shopping destinations and healthcare facilities nearby, as well as adult and child daycare, a public library, and a community center.

The development team is Pennrose and Bridges Development Inc., a nonprofit corporation affiliated with the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority. The Perry Homes redevelopment will use the federal Housing and Urban Development RAD program to convert vacant public housing into project-based rental assistance.

The $254 million development financing includes $21.9 million in tax-exempt bonds, $115.7 million in state and federal low-income tax credits and $83.1 million in UNHCR grant dollars. Empire State Development provided $5 million in Restore New York funding. Additional funds include: $6 million in the BMHA Capital Funds Program; $1.1 million in Buffalo Community Development Block Grants; $5 million in RAD rehabilitation assistance payments; and $1.6 million in federal tax credits for 45L.

UNHCR Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “The redevelopment of the Commodore Perry Homes is a transformative project for Buffalo, providing an opportunity to inject vitality into a long-dormant public housing complex. By creating more than 400 modern, energy-efficient apartments, we are demonstrating our continued commitment to creating more affordable housing opportunities and enriching Buffalo’s neighborhoods.

NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “The start of construction of the Commodore Perry all-electric homes is an exciting step toward creating more energy-efficient, affordable housing in Buffalo. Once completed, this transformational project will ensure residents benefit from healthier, more comfortable homes that maximize energy savings while integrating improved building performance.

HUD Regional Administrator Alicka Ampry-Samuel said, “I am pleased that HUD is playing a major and ongoing role in the future of hundreds of Commodore Perry families by providing residents with monthly rental subsidies through a Project-based rental assistance. After many years of blight and great effort from our partners, Commodore Perry will finally become new affordable housing for hundreds of Buffalonians and a safe community for this great city.

City of Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said, “We have worked hard to initiate the development of the BMHA Commodore Perry. This development will offer an excellent quality of life to residents of this neighborhood. I am proud of the work that BMHA and our strategic planning office have done to advance this development. My administration and our strategic planning office were successful in securing the funds needed for development.

Pennrose Regional Vice President Dylan Salmons said, “We are proud to join the state, the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority, Bridges Development Inc. and all of our project partners in this transformation plan overall. Today’s groundbreaking represents years of collaboration and is an exciting next step in providing high-quality, affordable housing, robust resident amenities and comprehensive support services to the First Ward neighborhood.