Buffalo Common Council President Pridgen unveils Buffalo City Mission expansion plans

Pridgen revealed mission's five-year development campaign to eradicate homelessness in Buffalo, beginning with downtown facility renovation

Yesterday, Buffalo Common President Darius Pridgen announced the Buffalo City Mission's ambitious plans to eliminate homelessness in Buffalo by 2020, and also discussed further advancements for the city's green code. The City Mission's new development project will provide housing and human services that are in line with the Homeless Alliance of Western New York's 10-year plan to end homelessness.

The City Mission's plans mainly focus on the much-needed expansion of its current over-capacity, one-story facility on Tupper Street. The project calls for a three-story, redeveloped campus that will supply more living space and needed services for guests of the mission struggling with homelessness.

Along with collaboration from its partners within the community, the City Mission is now addressing both the short-term needs of the homeless - such as emergency housing - and the long-term needs, including permanent housing, job-skill development and employment. 

Buffalo City Mission Executive Director and CEO Stuart Harper said, "We are thrilled to embark upon this mission that will help us realize our 'DREAM' - preventing and eradicating homelessness in the City of Buffalo, and helping people rise above poverty by providing human services and spiritual support to the at-risk and current homeless population. We also aim to provide safe, clean housing that will help this population transition into self-sufficiency through stabilization that will enable them (to) become contributing members of society. All of these facets of our 'DREAM' will provide a turning point in the lives of many, and in the future of Buffalo itself."

The mission's new project will feature the build-out of the Buffalo City Mission men's center and education space, as well as permanent, supportive housing for single men, and commercial office space for partner organizations. The City Mission has put together a development team to plan, manage and execute this project, including the following:

•McGuire Development 

•Carmina, Woods & Morris

•R&P Oak Hill 

•Unlimited Affordable Housing 

•Impacto

Council President Pridgen expressed his enthusiasm and support of the organization's goals and endeavors. "What the mission is doing for the City of Buffalo is one more important aspect of our current resurgence, showing the country our growing vibrancy and dedication to civic pride," he said.

The Buffalo City Mission, founded in 1917, is a not-for-profit organization that provides preventative, emergency and long-term recovery services to thousands of people who are homeless or impoverished. The mission includes: women and children's shelter (Cornerstone Manor); the men's community center; the mission vehicle donation program; and its Dick Road thrift store, all designed to better serve the community.

For more information, visit www.buffalocitymission.org or call 716-854-8181.