Latest News

October 29, 2018

WBFO News: "New report highlights 'cultural significance' of Buffalo's Outer Harbor"

"A coalition formed to resist a proposal to privatize and redevelop public lands along Buffalo's Outer Harbor released a report Monday which, according to those who commissioned it, highlights the cultural significance of that part of the city's waterfront. It's part of an effort to preserve green …

October 26, 2018

Intersection of Human Rights and the Environment

Please join the environmental law and human rights committee of the Erie County Bar Association to discuss climate issues and human rights. Speakers include Sam Magavern of PPG and Arthur Wheaton of the WNY labor and environmental programs of Cornell University. Topics range from state and local …

October 22, 2018

WBFO News: "Employment racial disparity persists among minorities"

"Things are looking good on the jobs front as unemployment rates have been on a national downswing. But, local experts say it’s not all good news. In Erie County, research shows, black and hispanic unemployment rates are higher than national averages. It’s orientation day for a new crop …

October 15, 2018

New Fact Sheet on Rental Housing Costs in Buffalo

Our new fact sheet summarizes the data currently available on the changing costs of rental housing in Buffalo, NY. It explores six data sources for rent figures and what each one can tell us about Buffalo’s rental market. The sources include U.S. Census data, online rental listing sites, …

October 8, 2018

Buffalo News: “Editorial: State tax incentive is successful, but misused”

"In Buffalo, the developers of the downtown building known as One Canalside received $5.9 million in subsidies because the project meets the mixed-use qualification of 485-a by containing one 900-square-foot apartment inside an eight-story building. Assemblyman Sean Ryan, D-Buffalo, and Sam …

September 29, 2018

Buffalo News: "Critics take aim at Benderson over city tax break — for one apartment"

"When the public invests money in things, it should yield a benefit for the community," Magavern said. "It should be providing affordable housing and quality jobs for city residents, not just padding the profit of wealthy developers."

September 17, 2018

The 501(c)(3) Advocacy Lab Follow Up

On Wednesday, September 12, 2018, Buffalo Commons, a joint collaboration between PPG and Cornell in Buffalo, hosted its first Lab in what will be a series of educational programs beginning this fall. It was free and open to the public. Sam Magavern, Executive Director of Partnership for the Public …

August 17, 2018

FB Community Land Trust Seeks Interim Executive Director

The F.B. Community Land Trust (FBCLT) seeks an interim executive director to oversee the day-to-day operations of the first-ever community land trust in the historic Fruit Belt neighborhood. The successful candidate will be familiar with how community land trusts can be used to ensure long-term …

August 7, 2018

Buffalo Commons Researcher Directory is Live!

We are excited to launch our navigable Researcher Directory featuring researchers both in and out of academia whose work focuses on the Buffalo Niagara region. The intent of this directory is to encourage partnership and collaboration between university and community. We would love …

August 7, 2018

New Climate Justice Publications

Partnership for the Public Good just released four policy briefs for the Crossroads Collective, which is comprised of nine organizations working at the intersection of climate justice with economic and racial justice in Western New York. 

July 31, 2018

WBFO: "Local developer has voluntarily set aside 15 percent of his new project for below-market-rate apartments"

  After years of fighting over more affordable housing, one local developer has voluntarily set aside 15 percent of his new project for below-market-rate apartments... PUSH Buffalo Organizing Director John Washington said..."this is an example that this can be done, that there is …

July 23, 2018

Press Statement: Directly impacted communities, grassroots organizations & the #FREEnewyork campaign call on the Erie County Legislature and New York State to end the jail crisis

On July 19, 2018 the New York State Commission of Correction’s Medical Review Board found that India Cumming’s death in the Erie County Holding Center “should be ruled as a homicide due to medical neglect” in a report issued on June 26 and made public by the Buffalo News on …