HELP HEART OF THE CITY NEIGHBORHOODS

MAINTAIN OPERATING FUNDING!

The Neighborhood Preservation Program funding is being threatened by the States proposed budget cut spending. The State says ELIMINATING FUNDING for the Neighborhood Preservation Programs (NPP) in the coming budget year could save the state $12 million. BUT WHAT WILL BE LOST?

THE NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION PROGRAM

VITAL FUNDING FOR HARD-WORKING NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION COMPANIES LIKE HEART OF THE CITY NEIGHBORHOODS.

L FOR CAL

N CTIO A

Heart of the City Neighborhoods depends on the Neighborhood Preservation Program for operating expenses. Almost 35% of the organizations annual budget comes from NPP. The organization currently operates over $2.4 million in community based housing programs; The level of investment greatly outweighs what we need for operating support ($55,783). Who will operate these programs and ensure this investment is not lost to the community?

The Division of Housing and Community Renewal provides nancial support for 222 not-for-prot community-based housing corpora ons to perform housing and community renewal ac vi es statewide. These corpora ons, known as Preserva on Companies, provide assistance including, but are not limited to, housing rehabilita on, home buyer counseling, tenant counseling, landlord/tenant media on, community rehabilita on and renewal, crime watch programs, employment programs, legal assistance, and Main Street Development. A majority of Preserva on Companies are also involved in the planning and development of capital projects including new construc on and/or rehabilita on of older housing stock.

IF THE STATE ELIMINATES THIS FUNDING, THE LOWER WEST SIDE COMMUNITY WILL BE
WITHOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING SERVICES.

Vacant, dilapidated homes will go un-rehabbed creating more crime and safety hazards, gaining owner-occupied homes will go without financing for necessary repairs, there will be a lack of quality, affordable rental opportunities for tenants, environmental hazards in homes will go unalleviated, and the community will lose their voice for housing court issues.

YOU CAN HELP!

OUR F AX Y US T O UR IKE TO O OU L THEM ULD Y D A WO ST SEN , SUITE T? JU STREET S OU R INI A LETTE G! 1 VIRG N.OR AT 25 @HOC FICE FO OF AIL IN OR EM

WRITE TO OUR STATE LEADERS USING THE ATTACHED SAMPLE LETTERS AND TELL THEM YOU DONT WANT TO SEE HEART OF THE CITY NEIGHBORHOODS LOSE THEIR OPERATING FUNDING!
SIMPLY COPY & PASTE THE SAMPLE LETTERS INTO YOUR WORD PROCESSING DOCUMENT!

[Your Name] [Street Address] [City, ST ZIP Code] January 31, 2012 The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo Governor of New York State NYS State Capitol Building Albany, NY 12224 Fax: 518-486-4466

RE: Neighborhood Preservation Program Funding Dear Governor Cuomo: Heart of the City Neighborhoods, Inc. is a not for profit Community Development Corporation dedicated to providing quality affordable housing opportunities to Buffalos Lower West Side communities. For over fourteen years Heart of the City Neighborhoods has partnered with private developers, neighborhood leaders, the City, and other not-forprofit organizations to develop sustainable projects to improve these neighborhoods. In order to continue the much-needed work to revitalize the community and boost the local economy, the Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP) in the NYS HCR Budget is essential to Heart of the City Neighborhoods. The 2011 appropriation to this program was a continued cut from 2010 and had a detrimental effect on many Lower West Side residents and businesses. Heart of the City Neighborhoods depends on the Neighborhood Preservation Program for operating expenses. Almost 35% of the organizations annual budget comes from NPP. The organization currently operates over $2.4 million in community based housing programs. Who will operate these programs and ensure this investment is not lost to the community? The level of investment greatly outweighs what we need for operating support ($55,783). If the State eliminates this funding, the Lower West Side community will be without affordable housing services. Vacant, dilapidated homes will go un-rehabbed creating more crime and safety hazards, gaining owner-occupied homes will go without financing for necessary repairs, there will be a lack of quality, affordable rental opportunities for tenants, environmental hazards in homes will go unalleviated, and the community will lose their voice for housing court issues. It is imperative that the Neighborhood Preservation Program be fully funded, or increased, and sufficient funding be allocated to the Housing & Capital budget. We are aware of the enormous fiscal crisis that the State is facing, but NPP is a cost-effective economic program with a well-established return on investment. Help us preserve and maintain affordable housing and a thriving community. Sincerely, [Your Name]

[Your Name] [Street Address] [City, ST ZIP Code] January 31, 2012 Senator Timothy M Kennedy Legislative Office Building, Room 506 Albany, NY 12247 RE: Neighborhood Preservation Program Funding Dear Senator Kennedy: Heart of the City Neighborhoods, Inc. is a not for profit Community Development Corporation dedicated to providing quality affordable housing opportunities to Buffalos Lower West Side communities. For over fourteen years Heart of the City Neighborhoods has partnered with private developers, neighborhood leaders, the City, and other not-forprofit organizations to develop sustainable projects to improve these neighborhoods. In order to continue the much-needed work to revitalize the community and boost the local economy, the Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP) in the NYS HCR Budget is essential to Heart of the City Neighborhoods. The 2011 appropriation to this program was a continued cut from 2010 and had a detrimental effect on many Lower West Side residents and businesses. Heart of the City Neighborhoods depends on the Neighborhood Preservation Program for operating expenses. Almost 35% of the organizations annual budget comes from NPP. The organization currently operates over $2.4 million in community based housing programs. Who will operate these programs and ensure this investment is not lost to the community? The level of investment greatly outweighs what we need for operating support ($55,783). If the State eliminates this funding, the Lower West Side community will be without affordable housing services. Vacant, dilapidated homes will go un-rehabbed creating more crime and safety hazards, gaining owner-occupied homes will go without financing for necessary repairs, there will be a lack of quality, affordable rental opportunities for tenants, environmental hazards in homes will go unalleviated, and the community will lose their voice for housing court issues. It is imperative that the Neighborhood Preservation Program be fully funded, or increased, and sufficient funding be allocated to the Housing & Capital budget. We are aware of the enormous fiscal crisis that the State is facing, but NPP is a cost-effective economic program with a well-established return on investment. Help us preserve and maintain affordable housing and a thriving community. Sincerely, [Your Name]

[Your Name] [Street Address] [City, ST ZIP Code] January 31, 2012 Assemblymember Sean Ryan Room 324 Legislative Office Building Albany, NY 12248 RE: Neighborhood Preservation Program Funding Dear Assemblymember Ryan: Heart of the City Neighborhoods, Inc. is a not for profit Community Development Corporation dedicated to providing quality affordable housing opportunities to Buffalos Lower West Side communities. For over fourteen years Heart of the City Neighborhoods has partnered with private developers, neighborhood leaders, the City, and other not-forprofit organizations to develop sustainable projects to improve these neighborhoods. In order to continue the much-needed work to revitalize the community and boost the local economy, the Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP) in the NYS HCR Budget is essential to Heart of the City Neighborhoods. The 2011 appropriation to this program was a continued cut from 2010 and had a detrimental effect on many Lower West Side residents and businesses. Heart of the City Neighborhoods depends on the Neighborhood Preservation Program for operating expenses. Almost 35% of the organizations annual budget comes from NPP. The organization currently operates over $2.4 million in community based housing programs. Who will operate these programs and ensure this investment is not lost to the community? The level of investment greatly outweighs what we need for operating support ($55,783). If the State eliminates this funding, the Lower West Side community will be without affordable housing services. Vacant, dilapidated homes will go un-rehabbed creating more crime and safety hazards, gaining owner-occupied homes will go without financing for necessary repairs, there will be a lack of quality, affordable rental opportunities for tenants, environmental hazards in homes will go unalleviated, and the community will lose their voice for housing court issues. It is imperative that the Neighborhood Preservation Program be fully funded, or increased, and sufficient funding be allocated to the Housing & Capital budget. We are aware of the enormous fiscal crisis that the State is facing, but NPP is a cost-effective economic program with a well-established return on investment. Help us preserve and maintain affordable housing and a thriving community. Sincerely, [Your Name]

[Your Name] [Street Address] [City, ST ZIP Code] January 31, 2012 Assemblymember Vito Lopez LOB 943 Albany, NY 12248

RE: Neighborhood Preservation Program Funding Dear Assemblymember Lopez: Heart of the City Neighborhoods, Inc. is a not for profit Community Development Corporation dedicated to providing quality affordable housing opportunities to Buffalos Lower West Side communities. For over fourteen years Heart of the City Neighborhoods has partnered with private developers, neighborhood leaders, the City, and other not-forprofit organizations to develop sustainable projects to improve these neighborhoods. In order to continue the much-needed work to revitalize the community and boost the local economy, the Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP) in the NYS HCR Budget is essential to Heart of the City Neighborhoods. The 2011 appropriation to this program was a continued cut from 2010 and had a detrimental effect on many Lower West Side residents and businesses. Heart of the City Neighborhoods depends on the Neighborhood Preservation Program for operating expenses. Almost 35% of the organizations annual budget comes from NPP. The organization currently operates over $2.4 million in community based housing programs. Who will operate these programs and ensure this investment is not lost to the community? The level of investment greatly outweighs what we need for operating support ($55,783). If the State eliminates this funding, the Lower West Side community will be without affordable housing services. Vacant, dilapidated homes will go un-rehabbed creating more crime and safety hazards, gaining owner-occupied homes will go without financing for necessary repairs, there will be a lack of quality, affordable rental opportunities for tenants, environmental hazards in homes will go unalleviated, and the community will lose their voice for housing court issues. It is imperative that the Neighborhood Preservation Program be fully funded, or increased, and sufficient funding be allocated to the Housing & Capital budget. We are aware of the enormous fiscal crisis that the State is facing, but NPP is a cost-effective economic program with a well-established return on investment. Help us preserve and maintain affordable housing and a thriving community. Sincerely, [Your Name]

PHONE SCRIPT:
Please Call Governor Cuomo at 1-518-474-8390

I am a supporter of Heart of the City Neighborhoods, Inc. of the Lower West Side of Buffalo. They are an NPC providing essential quality, affordable housing opportunities in our community. Please tell the Governor that the Neighborhood Preservation Program funding is essential for community revitalization. We support having the NPP fully funded.