Category: Home Ownership

Updates to services: COVID-19 Response

Dear Neighbors,

Between a tough flu season and the recent news about COVID-19, we wanted to check in with you about visiting the office during this time, which will remain open Monday – Friday, 8:30am to 5pm until further notice. Please review the following updates to our programs and services:

  • At this time, we are suspending face-to-face counseling. If you have a counseling appointment, you can still maintain you appointment with your counselor via telephone or video conference. Please contact us so we can provide you with further instructions.
  • All education classes have been cancelled for March. We will follow up shortly with more information about rescheduling.
  • Home energy assessments will continue as scheduled, but will be doing health checks with all homeowners in advance.
  • Rent & loan payments continue to be due, as scheduled.

We will continue to evaluate the situation and share any changes to our office hours to our website, and on social media as things happen.

If you have other needs, or have further questions, feel free to give us a call at (716) 885-2344 or email us at info@nwcpbuffalo.org and we will get back to you by the end day.

Thank you,
The NeighborWorks Community Partners Team

A Home Energy Assessment Makes Good Cents

What is a Home Energy Assessment?

An Energy Assessment is a review of your home’s overall energy efficiency, which can be affected by many things. Roof condition, insulation levels, outdated appliances, old furnaces, leaky hot water heaters, single-pane windows, etc. all have an impact. The goal is to see where your home is losing energy so that we can formulate a plan to save on energy costs. This “big picture” view of your home’s energy efficiency can lead to significant savings on your utility bill because you won’t need to set your thermostat quite as high to stay warm, or your air conditioning as low to stay cool.

Why Should You Get a Home Energy Assessment?
Residential properties account for about 10% of carbon emissions in the US, according to the EPA, which means they are very inefficient and waste huge amounts of energy and…money!In addition to reducing your carbon footprint, you will learn how to improve your home’s comfort. It will also help you save money (woo hoo!).

How You Can Get a Home Energy Assessment
NeighborWorks Community Partners’ Energy Services team can conduct a FREE home energy audit for your home. Income-based grants are available for the Greater Buffalo area. We give unbiased advice to reduce your heating and cooling bills. Our BPI-certified technicians will help you prioritize your needs:

  • Increase your home’s comfort through a Home Energy Assessment
  • Learn how you can SAVE MONEY with FREE energy saving tips you can use right now!
  • Learn about NY State grants to help pay for your home-energy projects *Income-based.

To schedule your home energy assessment today, just give our Energy Services Team a call at: (585)325-4170, Email us at: Energy@nwcommunitypartners.org, or Click Here to fill out an application.

Rising from the Ashes

Congratulations to our neighbor, Denise Harris, on the purchase of her new home! Denise swung by to thank Deputy Director of Lending, Chris Flynn, for helping her get back on her feet after a fire destroyed her home. With his guidance, she was able to turn this tragic situation around and purchase a new home. Helping folks along their homeownership journey is exactly why we’re here, and we’re so happy for you, Denise!

(Psst! Do you need some assistance buying a home? Contact us!)

HSBC Awards NCP Buffalo $10,000 Grant

NeighborWorks® Community Partners Buffalo (formerly West Side Neighborhood Housing Services) is excited to announce that is has received a $10,000 grant from HSBC in support of it’s homeownership programs. We are grateful for HSBC’s support as we work to drive transformative change across the Buffalo region and by provide safe, affordable and sustainable housing opportunities. This grant furthers our ability to preserve and revitalize communities, broaden access to resources and improve the quality of life for thousands of local residents. Please join us in congratulating HSBC on their new, Depew branch!

New Study Shows People Still Not Aware of Resources Available to Them for Homeownership

A decade after the housing market collapsed, a new survey reveals that many people are unaware of resources and counseling that can improve their prospects of owning their own home. Housing counseling offered by NeighborWorks® Community Partners (formerly NeighborWorks® Rochester) helps close to 150 residents annually achieve their goal of buying a home, and could do so for many others who have the same dream.

Our goal is to ensure that first-time homebuyers make informed decisions based on their personal finances, goals and dreams. Our coach approach supports sustainable homeownership for both the individuals and the community by working with individuals to create a clear path, remove obstacles, and avoid the many pitfalls that a first-time buyer may encounter, such as predatory lending” NeighborWorks® Community Partners (formerly NeighborWorks® Rochester) is a member of the NeighborWorks® America national network.

The sixth annual NeighborWorks® America at Home survey found that people with the most debt –millennials and women—are less likely to be homeowners, and large numbers would like to be, but don’t know where to turn for help in achieving their dream.


Among the findings:

  • Women: 29 percent of women have student loan debt, compared to 23 percent of men. Fifty percent of women worry about this type of debt all or most of the time.
  • People of color: 48 percent of people of color are burdened with student loan debt, compared to 22 percent of white women and 15 percent of white men.
  • Millennials: 56 percent of millennials worry about student loan debt some or most of the time.
  • Overall awareness of help available: 46 percent of all adults are unfamiliar with nonprofits that offer debt counseling free, or at a low cost.

“It’s important for people to have the proper tools and resources so they are informed consumers from the moment they consider owning a home,” says Karen Hoskins, acting vice president of homeownership programs and lending at NeighborWorks® America. “A housing counselor can guide them through what often seems a daunting, confusing process. Consumers also will benefit by thinking about housing counselors as helpful sources of information about services such as down-payment assistance.”

For more information about NeighborWorks® Community Partners Rochester (formerly NeighborWorks® Rochester) homebuyer resources, visit our Homeownership Page. For more information about the America at Home survey, click on this link.

Affordable Rental Housing in Niagara Falls

NeighborWorks® Community Partners Niagara Falls (formerly Niagara Falls Neighborhood Housing Services) is a community housing resource for residents with special needs. We offer a number of options within our immediate neighborhood, and would like the opportunity to help you find stable housing that works for you. Options include:


The Joseph S. Presti Apartments
1605 Ferry Avenue Niagara Falls, New York 14303

With funds from the New York State Housing Trust Fund in 1989, Niagara Falls NHS renovated an old school for rental housing specifically designed for senior citizens and wheelchair handicapped.

The apartment building contains 39 units, four of which are completely wheelchair accessible.

Amenities of the building include, beautiful courtyard, with Gazebo and community garden, an on-site evening building supervisor, 24hr video surveillance, dedicated laundry facility and community room.

Housing for Families of Low Income
501 19th Street, Niagara Falls, New York 14303

Utilizing HOME funds from the City of Niagara Falls Department of Community Development, Niagara Falls NHS purchased, renovated and manages 3 townhouse style units of 2 or 3 bedrooms.

Units are spacious, have central air conditioning capabilities and close to bus lines and within walking distance to Pine Avenue, a busy commercial thoroughfare.

Carroll Colpoys Apartments/Portage Apartments LP

261 Portage Rd, Niagara Falls, New York 14303

Investments of Low Income Housing Tax Credits, New York State Housing Trust Fund and City of Niagara Falls Department of Community Development HOME Funds allowed for the renovation of an old structure of 10 spacious two and three bedroom townhouse style rental units.

Each unit comes with central air conditioning, window blinds, stove and refrigerator.

For more information about availability at any of these locations, contact NeighborWorks® Community Partners Niagara Falls at (716) 285-7778 and ask for the Property Manager.