Work begins on new affordable housing in Buffalo

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - State officials have announced the start of work on a new $2.3 million affordable housing project on Buffalo’s west side.

Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Thursday that the work will renovate a vacant building damaged by fire into affordable housing units. The facility will also have space for a community arts and cultural center.

Cuomo says the project is part of a broader effort to give a boost to the surrounding area, and just one piece of the state’s work to add new affordable housing units throughout the state.

While the new complex will boast only nine two-bedroom units, Democratic state Sen. Tim Kennedy hailed it as “another piece in the puzzle” of strengthening Buffalo’s west side.