West Side Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc.

Street Address:
359 Connecticut St.
Buffalo, NY 14213


Phone: 716-885-2344
Fax: 716-885-2346
Website: www.wsnhs.org

Linda Chiarenza, Executive Director

Contact Name: Linda Chiarenza
Phone: 716-885-2344x15
Fax: 716-885-2346
Email: lchiarenza@wsnhs.org


Staff Size: Full Time: 7    Part Time: 2

Background
Founded in 1980 to stop the decline of the West Side of Buffalo, New York, and to rebuild housing stock and promote reinvestment in the neighborhood. Primary objective is to promote home ownership by offering homebuyer education, and lending the money needed for the down payments and closing costs. Loans for the rehabilitation of homes in the service area are also offered, and the NHS has implemented programs for Foreclosure Prevention, Landlord/Tenant Mediation, and Post Purchase Classes. On a smaller scale, the NHS has re-instituted a minor home repair program and a home security program. In 2006, the NHS started a program to attract middle to upper income families into the area by offering an interest buy down program with a local bank. They also partnered with a local private college to implement an emloyer assisted program to encourage homeownerhsip around the institution.

Mission
West Side Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. is a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to the preservation and revitalization of Buffalo's west side neighborhoods. Established in 1980, West Side NHS is a partnership of area residents, businesspersons and government officials. Involved in identifying and solving neighborhood housing problems, West Side NHS provides safe and affordable housing for low to low-moderate income families.

Total Operating Expense (9/30/2007): $730,434

 Lines of Business
  • Asset and Property Management

  • Community Based Economic Development

  • Community Building and Organizing

  • Home Ownership Promotion Services

  • Lending and Loan Portfolio Management

  • Real Estate Development


    • National NeighborWorks ® Programs
  • NeighborWorks Campaign for Home Ownership

    • Accomplishments in FY 2008
  • Provided 209 families with pre- and post- purchase housing counseling.
  • Rehabilitated or repaired 124 rental or owner occupied units (1-4 units).
  • Assisted 64 families in purchasing a home through homeownership counseling, downpayment, closing cost or financing assistance.
  • Owned or managed 16 rental units.
  • Invested $399,704 in the community through West Side Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc.'s revolving loan fund, which leveraged $3,874,606 from conventional lenders and other sources.
  • Total direct investment in the community is $4,274,310.

    • Additional Accomplishments
    Date Additional Accomplishment
    12/31/2005 Other program activity: 104 STAR applications; 82 Senior Citizen Tax Exemption; 3 Veteran's Property Tax exemption; 3 HEAP applications; and 3 Reassesments.
    12/31/2005 67 clients counseled through Landlord/Tenant program.
    12/31/2005 Purchased 12 unit mixed-use (10 residential/2 commercial) building on Connecticut Street to rehab/rent. Change of use: sold lot for construction of new Greater Buffalo Savings Bank.
    12/31/2005 18 clients counseled through Financial Fitness Program.
    11/1/2005 Entered into a partnership with a local private college to offer an employer assisted program to all staff
    8/1/2006 Created program to attract middle to upper income families back into the City of Buffalo, by offering an interest buy down incentive.
    12/31/2008 Acquired various properties on Ferguson Avenue through "The Ferguson Avenue Project" in partnering with Habitat for Humanity, Westminster Foundation, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and the City of Buffalo. Demo/build/rehab and sell properties along Ferguson.
    12/31/2008 Hosted a VITA site at our building at 372 Connecticut Street where in 2007-08, 1363 income tax returns were filed.
    12/31/2008 Home Energy Conservation Kits (HECK) program: in 2007, assisted 40 families and in 2008 in collaboration with BlackRock Riverside NHS, assisted 53 families.
    12/31/2008 55 customers counseled through Landlord/Tenant Program for 2007-08

    Community Services
  • Community Building

  •  Business/Merchant Relationship

  •  Clean-up Project

  •  Community Outreach and Organizing

  •  Community Planning

  •  Leadership Training

  •  Neighborhood / Resident Crime Watch

  •  Tenant Organizing

  • Family Health Programs

  •  Christmas-Adopt a Family Program

  • Financial Planning and Assistance

  •  Disposition of Foreclosed Property

  •  Down-payment Assistance

  •  Elderly Tax Information

  •  Financial Education

  •  Foreclosure Prevention Training

  •  Interest Subsidy Program

  • Green Building and Home Improvement

  •  Energy Conservation Programs

  •  Environmental Friendly Building Materials

  •  Handyman Referrals

  •  Home Safety and Security

  •  Indoor Environment Quality

  •  Lead Poison Prevention

  •  Renewable Energy Resources

  •  Sustainable Site Planning

  • Housing Programs and Home Ownership Counseling

  •  Home Ownership Counseling

  •  HomeBuyers Club

  •  Rental Housing


    • Board of Directors
    NameBoard Role/TitleSectorCompany/OrganizationJob Title
    Margaret AlfanoBoard MemberResident  
    Dana BobinchekBoard MemberLocal Government  
    Nick BonifacioBoard MemberResident  
    Louis DiPasqualeBoard MemberResident  
    Scott DunlopBoard MemberResident  
    Karla J GadleyBoard MemberBusinessHSBC Bank 
    John HochadelBoard MemberResident  
    Robin JohnsonBoard Secretary; Board MemberBusinessVilardo Printing 
    Ramon MoralesBoard ChairFinancial InstitutionSEFCU 
    Katherine OrlandoBoard MemberResident  
    Michael PierroBoard Vice ChairBusinessMineo & Sapio Meats 
    Jonathan RiveraBoard MemberResident  
    Peter J Savage, IIIBoard MemberResident  
    Stephen ScelloBoard Treasurer; Board Member At LargeFinancial InstitutionCitizens Bank 

    About the NeighborWorks ® Network
    The NeighborWorks® network is a nationwide network of more than 240 community development organizations working in nearly 4358 urban, suburban and rural communities across America. These organizations engage in revitalization strategies that strengthen communities and transform lives. In the last five years alone, NeighborWorks® organizations have generated more than $8.5 billion in reinvestment and helped more than 500,000 families of modest means purchase or improve their homes or secure safe, decent rental or mutual housing.

    NeighborWorks ® America Contact Information
    District:  Northeast
    Name:  Leonora Davis
    Phone:  212-269-6553x29
    Toll-Free:  
    Fax:  
    Email:  ledavis@nw.org