Tenant Resource Guide

Rental Assistance/Mortgage Assistance

• Call 211 to apply for Stand Up Buffalo program that can assist with rental arrears (Full 211 number—(888) 696-9211)
• Catholic Charities may have ongoing program to assist folks with rental assistance, call to ask—(716) 856-4494
• Belmont Housing (716) 884-7791 or HOME, Inc. (716) 854-1400, may be able to provide you with updated information about what rental assistance programs are available. Be sure to also ask specifically about programs available to help you with the housing issues you are facing!
• Community Action Organization of WNY 716-881-5150, are you behind on bills? The CAO of WNY can help. They are helping with the following: Rental Assistance up to $2,000—rental arrears or first month’s rent; Mortgage Assistance up to $2,000—past due mortgage; utility assistance up to $400—Electric, Heat, or Water Bills. Learn more about the program. PROGRAM ENDS SEPT. 30th!

Tenants’ Rights

• Tenant Help Website this is a website that has information for tenants from legal services providers.
• New York State Attorneys General Tenants Rights Guide

Homeless Resources

Erie County is a “Right to Shelter” County, which means if you are experiencing homelessness, shelter options are available to you.

If you are homeless, and in need of shelter, please go downtown to 158 Pearl St. to the Department of Social Service for assistance.

If it is after 4pm or a weekend, please call 211 to be assisted.

Shelter Contacts

There are a few different shelters that folks could be placed in. Unfortunately, you won’t know which shelter until you talk to someone at Social Services.

Although going through shelter can be very difficult, once you are there you will be screened to see if you are eligible for many more resources and programs.

• Buffalo City Mission: (716) 854-8181 at 100 E Tupper St.
• Corner Stone Manor: (716) 852-0761 at 150 E North St.
• Haven House is a shelter specifically for individuals experiencing homelessness as a result of domestic violence.

Erie County Crisis services can screen people of all genders for Haven House, the domestic-violence shelter, and they do provide in-person emergency response for severe mental health crises. Please note: They will arrive onsite with police.

Emergency and/or Crisis Services

• Crisis Services 24/7 hotline: 716-834-3131 This resource can be used if you are experiencing domestic violence, a mental health crisis, or another kind of crisis. Please note, if this resource is dispatched, they typically arrive onsite with the police.
• Mental Health Advocates of WNY: 716-886-1242
• Call or text 211 (716-898-211): for help, community resources, or food assistance. Ask what is available for your specific needs!
• 911: While calling the Buffalo Police is not a safe option for everyone, it is the only agency that is equipped to handle ongoing, violent or potentially-violent events. If you are in immediate danger and you feel comfortable calling BPD, that is an option available to you.
• Here is a link to other community resources that can be used instead of contacting police. (Black Love Resist in the Rust emergency services resources, #copout list. Screenshot at ⇩ end of the page ⇩)

Mediation Services

This resource is best where the tenant and landlord have a working relationship. Mediation requires both parties to consent to the process, so your landlord has to agree to do mediation.

• Center for Resolution and Justice: (716) 362-2323 (Tenant/Landlord Mediation)

Legal Services

We highly recommend contacting legal services if your landlord is threatening eviction or if the landlord is actively harassing and/or intimidating you.

• Neighborhood Legal Services: (716) 847-0650
• Center for Elder Law and Justice: (716) 853-3087
• Volunteer Lawyers Project: (716) 828-8460
• Legal Aid Bureau: (716) 853-9555
• WNY Law Center: (716) 855-0203

Reporting Housing Conditions

You deserve and have a right to safe housing. You also have the right to report bad housing conditions. Please be aware that it is likely the property owner will find out if you make formal complaints about conditions.

• Erie County Health Department: (716) 961-6800
  • Report rats
  • Reporting sub-standard housing
• City of Buffalo Dept. of Permit and Inspections: (716) 851-4972
• Fair Housing Office: (716) 851-4212

Reporting Discrimination In Housing Searches

If a landlord tells you that they will not rent to you because of Section 8, or another rent subsidy, that is likely discrimination of income and not allowed. Additionally, if your landlord tells you they will not take your rental assistance funds, that is also typically not allowed.

• HOME, Inc.: (716) 854-1400, Report Discrimination

Reporting on an Illegal Eviction

• • Applications must be completed by September 15, 2022, so if you may be interested, reach out now!
  • Work must be completed by September 15, 2023 by an Empower Contractor in the Area.
• Community Action Organization of WNY 716-881-5150, are you behind on bills? The CAO of WNY can help. They are helping with the following: Rental Assistance up to $2,000—rental arrears or first month’s rent; Mortgage Assistance up to $2,000—past due mortgage; utility assistance up to $400—Electric, Heat, or Water Bills. Learn more about the program. PROGRAM ENDS SEPT. 30th!

—

Two Main Types of Heat Pumps

• Ground Source Heat Pump (Geothermal) – Lower operating cost
• Air Source Heat Pump – Lower Installation costs

What are Heat Pumps?

Heating AND Cooling in 1 system!

Heat pumps are an energy efficient, all electric system that work using the same technology as your refrigerator or air conditioner.

People who heat with oil, propane, typical electric heat or older gas equipment should see savings with a heat pump.

by not burning fossil fuels, heat pumps are one step towards cleaner air in our homes communities!