BUFFALO, N.Y. — Pastor Dwayne Jones of Mt. Aaron Baptist Church has developed a $26 million plan to create more affordable housing on Buffalo's East Side.

Jones purchased a lot at the corner of Genesee and Grey Street and hopes to break ground on a three-story apartment building by the end of the year.

Mt. Aaron Village is a 78-unit complex that will have private parking, a playground and a community center.

"It's part of a master plan to help develop the East Side," said Jones.

He says the project is supported by the Buffalo Common Council and Mayor Byron Brown.

Mt. Aaron Village is one of 40 affordable housing projects Brown made note of in his State of the City address in February.

The project is now in the running for a state grant that is worth over $14 million.

Pastor Jones told Spectrum News the grant is the missing link in finalizing the project. 

"There's a great deal of competition, but I'm a man of faith and I believe that God will certainly make a way and that I could have some good news after June," said Jones.