By Anthea Passmore
Buffalo, NY – Groundbreaking ceremonies took place Wednesday for new homes in Buffalo's Fruit Belt neighborhood. It was announced by Mayor Masiello and the St. John Baptist Church's Fruitbelt Community Development Corporation that 10 new homes are to be built for low to moderate income homeowners.
The "Making Houses Homes" program is a phase one component of Mayor Masiello's liveable Communities initiative. Funded with HOME grant dollars from the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development, Masiello said the home's purchase prices are subsidized to allow potential buyers to realize their dream of owning a home.
"Everybody wants to own a piece of the rock," Masiello said. "They feel better about themselves. They feel better about their families. Every single neighborhood where we have an abundance of homeowners who are living in their homes are stronger and more viable."
Timothy Wanamaker, executive director of the city's Office of Strategic Planning, says that the St. John Fruitbelt Community Development Project is significant and represents the role that government can play as a partner with a faith-based group.
Four styles of homes are being offered and completion is expected in four months time.