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Buffalo Non-Profits Unite to Form Progressive Policy Think Tank To Release Report on Overcoming Buffalo’s Housing Crisis on Eve of “High Road” Economic Development Conference

On Tuesday, September 25th at 2 PM, leaders of several area non-profits will mark the founding of a new progressive policy think-tank with the release of a report highlighting strategies to address Buffalo’s housing crisis. Founding members of the new policy and advocacy collaborative—called the Partnership for the Public Good (PPG)—include the Coalition for Economic Justice, Buffalo ReUse, PUSH Buffalo and the WNY Homeless Alliance.

The PPG chose to address Buffalo’s housing crisis in its first report due to the severity of the challenges facing Buffalo’s neighborhoods and the opportunity for implementing creative solutions, especially at the state level. PPG will dramatize the impact that the State can have on Buffalo’s housing by releasing its report in front of a West Side home devastated by the neglect of the State MBBA, an agency that recently relinquished control of 1,499 derelict properties after more than four years of irresponsible stewardship. The PPG report calls for an integrated, strategic approach by both State and City actors, which would include a comprehensive program of demolition, rehabilitation, deconstruction, weatherization and green space management.

The release of the report also coincides with the “High Road Runs Through the City” conference, which will convene national leaders in sustainable economic development at the Hyatt Regency on Thursday and Friday. The PPG founding organizations have assisted in the planning and development of the conference.

WHO: Leaders of several area non-profits
WHAT: Release of housing strategy report by new regional policy collaborative
WHERE: 376 Rhode Island, a house devastated by neglect of a NYS agency
WHEN: Tuesday, September 25th at 2 PM
Definite Photo Opportunity
Copies of the report will be available

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— Jessica