Construction has finished on the Riley Brook Apartments, a $25 million affordable housing project in Hamburg, Erie County. The development consists of 70 units designed for families and is situated near schools, recreational facilities, shopping areas, and public transportation. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts by New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) to increase affordable housing options in Erie County. According to state officials, more than 11,000 affordable homes have been created or preserved in the county under Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration.
“As a former Hamburg Town Board Member, it is so exciting to bring housing that families can afford to the community where my dedication to serving New Yorkers began,” Governor Hochul said. “I know first-hand the importance of finding an affordable place where you can raise a family and have access to schools, stores, parks and more. Our investment in Riley Brook Apartments mirrors the efforts my administration is making across the state to help address the housing crisis impacting our communities.”
The project features seven all-electric apartment buildings with ten units each. These apartments are available for households earning up to 60 percent of the Area Median Income and offer up to three bedrooms per unit with either a balcony or patio. The location provides walking access to nearby educational institutions and town amenities. Sidewalks were added as part of the construction for safer pedestrian access.
Riley Brook was developed through a partnership between Park Grove Development and Southern Tier Environments for Living. Amenities include a clubhouse, fitness center, laundry facilities, playground, and accessible units equipped for people with mobility or sensory impairments.
Other HCR-supported projects in Erie County this year include another multi-family project in Hamburg, senior housing in Tonawanda, and reconstruction of over 400 affordable units in Buffalo’s First Ward.
Financing for Riley Brook came from several sources: $13.4 million was raised via Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits administered by HCR; $1.5 million came from State Low-Income Housing Tax Credits; just over $5.4 million was provided through the Low-Income Housing Trust Fund; eight apartments are supported by project-based vouchers ensuring tenants pay no more than 30 percent of their income on rent; NYSERDA contributed $385,000 from its Clean Energy Initiative; Erie County supplied $500,000 through its HOME Fund.
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas stated: “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, HCR’s investments are ensuring more families across New York have access to the stable, affordable housing they need to thrive. Riley Brook Apartments does just that by providing units that have up to three bedrooms and are within walking distance of an elementary school and high school. Thank you to Park Grove, Southern Tier Environments, as well as local and state leaders, on making this vital 70-unit project in the Town of Hamburg a reality.”
NYSERDA President Doreen M. Harris commented: “The completion of the Riley Brook Apartments is proof that affordable housing can provide clean, modern, and healthy environments for residents. NYSERDA is proud to continue to invest in all-electric projects like Riley Brook that provide New Yorkers with quality living and supportive amenities they need while advancing the State’s clean energy transition.”
Senator Charles Schumer said: “Every family in Western New York deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. I’m proud that the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit that I worked hard to protect and expand has delivered more than $13 million to help build 70 brand new units at Riley Brook Apartments in Hamburg. High housing costs are a key driver of inflation so we must build more housing for working people to bring down those high prices. I applaud Governor Hochul’s work increasing access to housing for working families in Erie County and across Western New York, and I will continue working to deliver federal resources to deliver more affordable housing across New York.”
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand added: “New Yorkers deserve access to affordable and secure housing, and I am grateful that the Riley Brook Apartments will benefit families and businesses in the Buffalo area. I am pleased to see this federal funding having a positive impact on New Yorkers, and I will continue to work tirelessly to make housing more accessible across our state.”
State Senator Patrick M. Gallivan said: “Riley Brook Apartments is the result of a public-private partnership and helps meet the demand for quality, affordable housing in a vibrant community. Individuals and families of all abilities will enjoy living close to schools, stores and restaurants. I congratulate everyone involved in making this project a reality.”
Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera remarked: “Riley Brook Apartments is a major step forward in addressing the growing need for affordable housing in our community. I’m proud to see Governor Hochul’s historic five-year, $25 billion Housing Plan, which is on track to create or preserve 100,000 affordable units across the state, taking root. Too many working families are being priced out of safe, quality homes close to schools, jobs,and transportation.This development ensures that more families can put down rootsand thrivein Hamburg without being burdenedby risinghousing costs.”
County Executive Mark C.Poloncarz noted:“AffordablehousingisacriticalneedeverywhereandthisprojectaddressestheissueinHamburg ,bringingseventymuch-neededunits onlineandfurtherbuildingonGovernorHochul’sHousingplanforNewYork.Thisisanexampleofgovernmentworkingtoaddresstheneedsofitsconstituentsandmaketheirlivesbetter,andIthankGovernorHochulforherfocusonaffordablehousing.”
Hamburg Town Supervisor Catherine Rybczynski stated:“ThecompletionofRileyBrookApartmentsrepresentsamajorinvestmentinHamburg’sfuture.We’regratefultoGovernorHochulandourstatepartnersforrecognizingtheimportanceofprovidingquality ,affordablehousingoptionsthatallowfamiliesofallbackgroundstolive ,work,andthriverighthereinourcommunity.”
Park Grove Realty Managing Partner Andrew Crossed commented:“WeareproudtointroduceRileyBrookApartments ,anewdevelopmentbringingmuch-neededaffordablehousingtoErieCounty.Ibelieveprovidingaffordable ,quality,safe,state-of-the-arthousingingoodneighborhoodsisthemostimportantthingwecanprovidefamiliesinneedinourcommunities.Thisthoughtfullydesignedcommunityoffersresidentsspaciousopen-conceptfloorplans ,modernfinishes ,privatebalconiesorpatios,andgenerousstoragethroughout.Thisprojectisanexcellentexampleofapublicandprivatepartnershipwhichrequiredthecollaborationandcooperationofsomanyvariousgroupsandentities.ParkGroveextendsitssincerethankstothetownofHamburg ,ErieCounty,andNewYorkStateHomesandCommunityRenewalfortheirpartnershipandsupportinmakingthismeaningfulprojectareality.”
Southern Tier Environments for Living Executive Director Thomas Whitney said:“WewouldliketoextendoursincerethankstoGovernorHochulandNewYorkStateHomesandCommunityRenewalforapprovingthisveryworthwhileaffordablehousingprojectinHamburg.Theirsupporthasmadeitpossibletobringquality ,affordablehomestoErieCounty.WealsowanttothankourpartnersatParkGrovefortheirdedicationandvisionindevelopingthisbeautifulnewapartmentcommunity.”
Governor Hochul has prioritized tackling New York’s statewide shortage of available homes by introducing measures such as tax incentives for new construction projects,cash support programs,and new policies aimed at helping renters.Budget agreements passed recently include over$1 .5billion infundingforhousing anda pilotvoucherprogramtoimproveaccessibility.Morethan68 ,000homes havealreadybeencreatedorpreservedthroughtheseefforts statewide.A separate program gives certified municipalities exclusive eligibility fora pool offunding worthupto$750million;currentlymorethan370communitieshaveachievedcertificationwithover540havingexpressedinterest—includingthetownofHamburg.
