BUFFALO, N.Y. — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul paid a visit to Buffalo Saturday not only to partake in the in-person return of the city’s Juneteenth parade and festival, but to announce over $50 million in state funding that aims to help aid East Buffalo residents who have long been affected by systemic issues. Echoing the theme of the day, Hochul compared the progress being made at this time to the holiday’s origins.
“That long journey toward real civil rights may have started back at that time, but it is still unfinished business,” Hochul said. “As we have seen today when there is still rampant racism and as we saw manifest itself here on May 14."
The $50 million will be designated as follows:
- $36.5 million for housing and social services
- $10 million in grants to assist over 1,000 East Buffalo residents with home repair costs
- $4.5 million to aid 150 first-time homeowners with downpayments
- $2 million to fund a public engagement unit that will help connect Buffalo residents with existing services based on eligibility and accessibility
Hochul, along with Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, also announced the establishment of a 5/14 commission to honor the 10 people shot and killed at the Tops supermarket on Jefferson Avenue on May 14.
“This will be a community-driven effort,” Brown said. “We will involve the families and members of the community. And this will be done right. So it is a fitting and lasting tribute and memorial to the 10 innocent victims of that mass shooting that occurred on 5/14.”
As East Buffalo continues to rebuild, state and city officials are hopeful that the new funding will help solve issues residents have lived with well before the May 14th tragedy.
“This is a longstanding personal commitment from the governor of New York state to this community and together,” Hochul said. “We will start to make a difference and let this community know they matter and to give them hope that better days do lie ahead.”
The governor also announced waived NFTA fairs for East Buffalo residents through the end of July to access grocery stores until the Jefferson Avenue Tops reopens.
Residents looking to apply for the new grants can receive more information in the coming weeks from the Buffalo United Resiliency Center.