Neighborhood Housing Services Working to Improve Community
Eric Ortner
West Side TimesApril 2000: West Side Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. is an organization that is trying to improve the conditions on the West Side. Although, the organization has received much criticism, they have initiated several programs that should help them achieve their goals.
Michael Flynn is president of the West Side Neighborhood Housing Services Board of Directors. He explained, "We've finally realized what it's going to take as an organization, as a board of directors and as a staff to make meaningful differences in the community."
In November a new Executive Director, Lynda Shiarenza, took the helm of the organization. She had been working as staff for West Side Neighborhood Housing Services (WSNHS) for three years prior to her promotion. The organization has had several Executive Directors over the past few years, but Lynda is determined to make the WSNHS an effective organization.
She hopes to do so through a variety of initiatives. One of which is an Emergency Loan Program. If a major catastrophe occurs to your home, you can go to WSNHS for assistance. For example, Ms. Shiarenza explained, "We can facilitate funding in about a week if something like the furnace breaks." West Side Neighborhood Housing Services also has two grant programs that assist homeowners who are 80% or below HUD income guidelines. The first of which is the Minor Home Repair Program. The purpose of this program is to assist homeowners in keeping their property in good condition. The homeowner pays for all of the supplies required to repair the structure. However, WSNHS will supply a contractor to do the actual work.
The second WSNHS grant is an attempt to protect West Side residents from the surge of crime that seems to be creeping in from all sides.
Neighborhood Housing Services offers a security program as an attempt to protect single parent families, the disabled and senior citizens from burglaries. The West Side NHS will provide a security lock, security lights, along with a security system and glass block windows to those who qualify.
The West Side Neighborhood Housing Services also works to educate potential homebuyers. Lynda Schiarenza explained, "A lot of people don't think they can afford to buy a home. As an agency, we have realized that anyone who wants to own a home can. By calling our number, we can probably help them purchase their first home." Lynda continued, "We help them understand the advantages and disadvantages of home ownership."
The WSNHS' offices are located at 359 Connecticut Street. They are open to anyone who needs their help. To ensure that WSNHS is in fact an accessible organization, they offer a bilingual counselor who speaks both Spanish and English.In addition to the grant and loan programs, the organization is also forging partnerships with other community service providers like the West Side Community Center and Hispanics United of Buffalo.
They also have plans to create an extensive database. It will list every property for sale or for rent on the West Side. The database will then go so far as to rate the condition of each property. The program will help landlords by listing their property as a place for rent. At the same time it will help prospective tenants and home buyers because the condition of the property will be listed.
Neighborhood Housing Services is really a neighborhood organization. That is why anyone interested in the WSNHS can join the organization by simply filling out an application and paying a two dollar membership fee. Their next board meeting will be held on May 11, and anyone interested is invited to attend. If you would like to find out more about some of their services, please feel free to call them at 885-2344.
