BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Right now, it's an eyesore on Buffalo's east side.
"Built just over 100 years ago, the doors to School No. 57 closed to 2003 and the building has remained vacant for the past 12 years," said Rep. Brian Higgins, D-26th District.
But with more than $1 million in funding through the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, it's becoming something special.
The Matt Urban Center is transforming the building into Hope House. It will provide both temporary and permanent housing for homeless women and their children, featuring a shelter with dozens of beds and 18 housing units predominately for single women.
"It will also be a place where they can get the support services they need in order for them to be successful in life," said Marlies Wesolowski, executive director of The Matt Urban Center.
Wesolowski said any given night, there are about 500 homeless women in the Queen City, many who have children.
"We find families living in cars, abandoned buildings, many of which do not have running water, heat, no electricity," said Wesolowski.
Hope House will offer them one-on-one access to social workers, and job development services.
"We're going to have a medical office, a dental office, we're going to have a commercial kitchen, all of which will be open and available not only to the residents within Hope House, but also, within the community, because this community sorely lacks those kind of services," said Wesolowski
This grant is the first funding the project's received, and it's expected to cost about $12 million. The Matt Urban Center is applying for both historical and low income tax credits as well as other forms of assistance.
"We're going to be very busy. Staff is going to be working overtime to make this project a reality," said Wesolowski.