Organizations seek new housing

As promised, Pinnacle Community Services is sharing notes and outcomes of its meeting on reinventing the Lower 6th and 7th St. Neighborhood (between Niagara and Ferry) meeting from July 11th.

While this block is the center of the discussions, organizers are hoping that the neighborhood will be an epicenter of the development of a more encompassing neighborhood movement.

The partners thus far are Housing Visions, Inc (a not for profit organization that focuses on developing property for all working families); Pinnacle Community Services (a multi services not for profit organization that has 130 years of experience in supporting the families and individuals here in Niagara Falls); Niagara Habitat for Humanity and NeighborWorks Community Partners; which provide different types of options for supports to first time homebuyers. A representative of Housing Visions at the meeting said properties developed will be added to the Niagara Falls tax rolls.

At the meeting some other potential partners were suggest that will be approached, for support including the Land Bank, Belmont Housing and the City of Niagara Falls Community Development Office. Niagara Falls Director of Community Development was in attendance.

Pinnacle and its partners invite interested community members to join in working together to meet the goals of an affordable and diverse neighborhood.

The initiative has the support of other not for profit organizations and the elected and non-elected members of Niagara Falls City Government.

Different funding options will be utilized to fund this neighborhood initiative; supporting people through an array of options of where and how to live; from renting with some supports all the way up to preparing to buy a or a duplex to rent to help pay the mortgage.

Income guidelines for program participation are inclusive. 66% of household in Niagara are paying more than should reasonably be expected for housing. Creating additional and affordable owner-occupied housing can address some of that issue.

The goal is to create a neighborhood where people can afford their housing and have opportunities to build savings and generational wealth.

The group was asked some key questions as starters to the conversations with our friends and neighbors who were present on July 11th at Niagara Falls Library's main branch.

• Describe this neighborhood as it is – in your terms
• What does the area already have in terms of “neighborhood” that you think should stay?
• What do you worry about when this area is being considered for new housing options and support to enhance the neighborhood?
• What do you suggest goes into any plan for the area?

Then some examples of potential styles of housing were shown:

• First some local buildings in the neighborhood with architectural charm
• Then some very modern designs from other areas where neighborhoods are redesigning
• And then some designs of Housing Visions, Inc. successful ventures in other cities, as well as a picture of the homes they have built on Walnut in Niagara Falls.

Comments received included:

Description of the neighborhood were : city displaced neighborhood, blight, run down, has potential and could bring in traffic, limited resources to put into the area by the city, needs more for kids, should be part of the comprehensive plan update, needs more housing

People liked the location, close to the hospital, medical providers, DSS, the areas where some jobs are, on bus routes, need to bring in more neighbors in the open unoccupied spaces. Some noted that this is a neighborhood that could prosper with a restoration of hope.

In the plan being created:

Need to build wealth without gentrification through diversity. Need something for right now (rental and mortgage assistance) and emergency shelters. More Private homes mixed in with apartments; don’t want to lose home ownership! Don’t put families above elderly, single people or new couples. Promote Home ownership and rehab of existing properties as well as build in vacant lots. With the investment could we bring in new businesses and services as well as higher paying jobs? The 13th St. Community Center was noted as a space where something for youth might work.

As we move forward remember to:

Incorporate history, be Green through renewable energy, recognize that people should work close to home, also look toward the future of the City and our Tourism trade and use the studies and data that shows what Niagara Falls NY might become. Niagara Falls NY has the intimate view of the falls, rehab the housing we have, where we can. Safety and Connectivity are key. We will need access to play space and safe way to walk to the activities that happen downtown and in the NF Park. Get more community members and feedback.

The more we share and get out there, the more we will get real feedback and ideas! See where the City can foreclose on properties that are not meeting codes and potentially offer them to homeowners going through our partner homeownership opportunities. Ensure Safety like better street lights and sidewalks and ensure cell and broadband connectivity.

While this is from our notes, there were some very specific comments and ideas that came forward about other organizations that should be involved, getting the people of the neighborhood, who live there to come. And, sharing this information on Facebook, at the Main Library and on other public venues so we might get feedback from community members.

Editor’s note: The above is shared from an email sent by Laura Pennington. Feedback and suggestions for improvement or things that should not be overlooked in this initiative is welcomed by email to lpennington@pinnaclecs.org