Corporate Profile

Mission Statement

To provide housing, employment and services for Veterans and other special needs populations.

Program Description

WNY Veterans Housing Coalition, Inc. (WNYVHC) was founded in 1987 to provide housing for Veterans with special needs.  Since then the organization has expanded its focus by developing and managing residential housing for “low income” persons, severely disabled, homeless, and other persons who have “special needs”.

The agency currently manages four apartment complexes consisting of 100 units in urban Buffalo. It provides housing, case management & program services to individuals who might otherwise face homelessness.

WNYVHC conducts it operations in accordance with standard multi-family housing practices, and is responsible for managing a wide range of housing portfolios as well as a myriad of housing regulations and policies at all levels of government.

What separates us from other property development and management organizations is the “continuum of care” component that provides case management services.  The focus is on creative problem solving; and homeless prevention and refer them to agencies that can meet their needs.

In our 20+ year history WNYVHC has assisted well over 2000 clients and veterans with housing and services.

In 1996, WNY Veterans Housing Coalition, Inc. was nationally recognized as a recipient of the prestigious “All American City Civic Empowerment Award” for its ability and reputation for implementing specialized and unique veteran and non-veteran special needs housing initiatives and partnerships commensurate with its Mission.

In May 2000, the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, in Washington, D.C., presented a special recognition award for demonstrated leadership within the homeless provider network.

WNYVHC conducts it operations in accordance with standard multi-family housing practices, and is responsible for managing a wide range of housing portfolios as well as a myriad of housing regulations and policies at all levels of government.

Management and Development

Management consists of property development, property and facilities, fiscal, human resources, and case management that provide operational, administrative, and case management oversight of all activities.

Two commercial operations rent storefront space from WNY Veterans Housing Coalition, Inc (WNYVHC). A daycare center located at 1125 Main Street, and an environmental consulting firm at 1416 Main Street.

The demand for excellence from the Governing Board has established a respected reputation locally, statewide, and nationally in the Veteran’s community.

Unlike private sector developers who have large unrestricted cash resources to initiate new development projects, the not-for-profit corporation has taken a very deliberate and conservative risk-taking approach in its developmental growth.  The risk associated with development is carefully measured and reviewed by the organization’s Governing Board, whose composition is represented by a cadre of professionals with experience in a multitude of business and legal fields.  This approach allows each project to reach the profit and return objectives necessary for achieving the maximum potential while competing in an environment of increased competition and diminishing funding sources.

WNYVHC governing board and development team members have successfully completed $19 Million in housing development since 1990. 

Development and construction initiatives often include an assortment of unique Public and Private Sector Funding partnerships, including Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Municipal Bonds, Conventional Financing packages, and Federal Home Loan Bank programs.  WNYVHC actively addresses the strong need for affordable housing in all segments of the Western New York Community.

Housing Portfolio

1125 MAIN STREET - Rehabilitated in 1989 and funded through New York State Housing Trust Fund and the City of Buffalo, this four floor facility operates 26 residential units, and a 3000 sq. ft. commercial area leased by a private Day Care Center.  Apartments range from two (2) bedroom, fourteen (14) one bedroom and ten (10) efficiency. This facility operates under a New York State Housing Trust Fund regulatory agreement.  Fiscal audits and management reviews are conducted onsite annually.

BOWEN MANOR - This Capital Advance New Construction Program located at 17 West Utica Street, consists of a three (3) floor, 24 unit complexes which was dedicated in June 1993 and funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  Designed specifically for physically handicapped and disabled persons with low incomes, this complex consists of four (4) 2-bedroom units and twenty (20) 1-bedroom units with six (6) first floor apartment reserved for residents confined to wheelchairs.  The complex has state-of-the art security monitoring and life safety systems, including automatic door openers and transmitters for the severely disabled.  Compliance with HUD regulations and policies are strictly enforced through a series of yearly comprehensive performance reviews.  This project is 100% subsidized.

ENGINE #16 FIREHOUSE - This 110 year old historic building located at 1416 Main Street has been converted into a “Special Needs: facility.  The building is a combination of rehabilitation and new construction and is fully accessible to people who are severely physically challenged.  There are two (2) bedroom and seven (7) 1 bedroom units.  The complex has 24 hour, in site “shared aide’ home care service.  Funding for this project was provided by the New York State Homeless Housing Assistance Program, the City of Buffalo and the U/.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  This facility has been in operation since 1995. The first floor commercial space is currently leased by an environmental consulting firm.

STRATFORD ARMS HOUSING - Located at 25 W. Utica Street it is also houses the WNYVHC office. The determination of WNYVHC, and the creative partnerships and support from both private and public sectors, turned a 67 year old historic brick hotel (Stratford Arms Hotel) into a forty-one (41) unit, four (4) – 2 bedroom, four (4) efficiencies, and 33 one bedroom fully accessible and affordable housing complex. Dedicated in June 1996, this project represents the final phase of a 3 phase development plan for 74 housing units bordering the West Utica and Main Street Rapid Transit Corridor.  The $4.7 million housing development project was funded by partnerships which included the City of Buffalo, NY State Housing Trust Fund, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Key Bank Low Income Housing Tax Credit Corp.  This project represents a key component in the City of Buffalo’s planned neighborhood renaissance movement and has a full complement of case management services and programming for “at risk” veterans and non-veterans.

Shelter and Care Program
“Shelter + Care” is a subsidized sponsor based housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, administered by the County of Erie, and managed by WNY Veterans Housing coalition, Inc for persons who are homeless, disabled, and receiving incomes in the HUD established “Very Low” income levels.

This grant awarded to WNYVHC in 1996 is geared towards homeless clients who are 1. Seriously mentally ill; 2. Chronic substance abusers; 3. Both seriously mentally ill and chronic substance abusers; and 4. HIV and related diseases. The grant is for 40 clients however it can accommodate more because of the funding amount.

“Shelter + Care” provides much more than just rental assistance to qualified persons.  It places heavy emphasis on stabilizing and improving their personal situations. Referrals and assistance in accessing public assistance, Social Security, Veterans benefits, vocational counseling and linkages to employment opportunities; facilitation of medical and psychiatric treatment, nutritional guidance and money management skill training.  Accordingly, case manager(s) require and assist program participants to fully comply with policies and regulations that apply to ALL tenants.  They also require that each participant maintain his/her ongoing treatment and/or counseling regimen, legal obligations, and other special requirements established by WNYVHC tailored to each participant’s individual situation based on both short term & long term goals.  Failure to meet these requirements can mean termination of the subsidy and a request to vacate his/her apartment. The case manager works very hard with the client to prevent this from happening.

Performance and progress are tracked through Case notes, forms, appointment verifications and monthly tracking grids

Homeless Prevention Program

WNY Veterans Housing Coalition, Inc recognizes that its responsibility to our clients far exceeds that normally assumed by most landlords. WNYVHC works closely with all clients; it is clear those clients who have access to the many services available within the community and realize that someone in authority really cares about their individual welfare are more optimistic about their futures. These clients are the ones who are more likely to make rent payments promptly, to abide by housing regulations and policies, and to be "good neighbors" to their fellow residents.

Homeless Veterans Reintegrantion Program (HVRP)

The Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) is a grant through the US Department of Labor in collaboration with Goodwill Industries of WNY. The purpose is to provide outreach employment, training and job search to homeless Veterans. The HVRP is the only employment service that addresses both components of the need of homeless Veterans for employment and housing.

The WNY Veterans Housing Coalition also addresses other barriers to employment for homeless veterans including the high unemployment rate in Western New York; the Veteran’s lack of employable skills; drug and/or alcohol abuse; chronic legal, medical or financial problems; personal, sometimes chronic, health and/or mental health problems; lack of a functioning support system; and in many cases, a general air of hopelessness and despair.

Veterans Placement Group of Buffalo/Niagara

The Veterans Placement Group of buffalo is a 3 year grant provided through the John R Oishei Foundation in collaboration with Goodwill Industries of WNY Inc and the City Mission. The purpose is to provide employment, training and job search to All military Veterans. This service is a branch of the HVRP and will provide another level of service for WNYVHC to provide for our veterans