Latest News

November 8, 2024

Spectrum News: "Buffalo group looks to bring emergency responders to Erie County for nonviolent 911 calls"

Mark Goshgarian | November 8, 2024 The Partnership for the Public Good, a community-based think tank in Buffalo, is the latest group in New York state looking to pilot a community responder program. They're teams of social workers and mental health professionals tasked with showing up to …

November 3, 2024

Buffalo News Editorial Board: "Community responder pilot program could free up Buffalo police and address behavioral health issues"

Buffalo News Editorial Board | November 3, 2024 This valuable initiative could help both police and people in need. It deserves a tryout in Buffalo. A new community responder pilot program will put into practice the concept that traditional police responses are not always ideal for nonviolent, …

October 24, 2024

Investigative Post: "Buffalo asks judge to dismiss lead inspection lawsuit"

I'Jaz Ja'ciel | October 24, 2024 The City of Buffalo is asking a judge to toss out a lawsuit accusing the city of failing to enforce a rental inspection law aimed at reducing lead paint in its aging housing stock. Here’s why the case has no merit, according to the …

August 19, 2024

Buffalo News Editorial Board: "Buffalo's rental registry needs more work"

Buffalo News Editorial Board | August 19, 2024 Buffalo’s rental registry needs improvement – as soon as possible. The registry’s purpose is to enhance housing quality through tracking and revenue generation. Instead, it is struggling due to persistent issues with delinquent …

July 17, 2024

Buffalo News Editorial Board: "It's no surprise that community groups are pressing for inspections"

Buffalo News Editorial Board | July 17, 2024 Safe housing should be at the top of any city government’s priority list. Families in New York State rental properties have the legal right to expect an environment free of toxic lead paint and other threats. Regular inspections of rental …

July 11, 2024

WKBW: "Community organizations and residents sue City of Buffalo for failure to implement rental inspections law"

Jeff Russo | July 11, 2024 Community organizations and residents came together on Thursday to announce that they are suing the City of Buffalo for failure to provide safe rental housing. The petition filed in Erie County Supreme Court claims The City of Buffalo, Mayor Byron Brown, and Catherine …

July 11, 2024

WGRZ: "Lawsuit filed vs. City of Buffalo over rental inspections"

Claudine Ewing | July 11, 2024 Several organizations have filed a lawsuit against the City of Buffalo. They want the city to implement the proactive rental inspection law.  Andrea Ó Súilleabháin, executive director of Partnership for the Public Good,  cited a …

July 11, 2024

WBFO: "Lawsuit against City of Buffalo seeks full implementation of Proactive Rental Inspections Law"

Thomas O'Neil-White | July 11, 2024 Eight plaintiffs including four City of Buffalo residents and four community organizations filed a lawsuit to compel the city to fully implement the Proactive Rental Inspections Law. The law is intended to protect residents living in rental properties from health …

July 11, 2024

Buffalo News: "Community groups, residents ask judge to order Buffalo to do more lead paint inspections"

Deidre Williams | July 11, 2024 Dorothy Oatmeyer says the Duerstein Street house where she and her family reside feels as though it is falling apart. There are holes between bricks and in the corners of windowsills. Bricks are falling off the back of the house. The kitchen floor is missing in large …

July 11, 2024

Investigative Post: "Buffalo sued over inner-city lead poisoning"

I'Jaz Ja'ciel | July 11, 2024 Tenants and community organizations are taking the City of Buffalo to court, contending it is failing to enforce rental inspection laws aimed at reducing lead paint in the city’s aging housing stock. The inspection law, enacted in 2020, was in response to the …

May 15, 2024

Buffalo News: "Housing inspection program is hot topic at rally, Buffalo Common Council budget hearing"

Harold McNeil | May 15, 2024 Housing Opportunities Made Equal, or HOME, is a local nonprofit agency that helps tenants deal with housing issues, among the most prevalent of which is unsafe housing conditions, according to Steven Haagsma, education manager for the agency. It's why he and a …

April 27, 2024

Buffalo News Editorial Board: "City priorities should include housing, infrastructure and key amenities"

Buffalo News Editorial Board | April 27, 2024 It’s time to look forward. We’re expecting ideas and projects that will move Buffalo in a robust, innovative direction, as well as discussion of improvements in services and infrastructure when Mayor Byron W. Brown presents his State of the …