Resources

Emergency Housing & Homeless Services

BestSelf Homeless Services
716-856-9711
1050 Niagara St., Buffalo, NY 14213
www.BestSelfwny.org

Buffalo City Mission
716-854-8181
100 East Tupper St., Buffalo, NY  14203
www.buffalocitymission.org
Fees: None
Serves men.

Buffalo City Mission/Cornerstone Manor
716-854-8181
150 East North St., Buffalo, NY 14203
Fees: None

CAO of Erie County New Venture Housing
716-881-6543
469 Dodge St., Bldg. 400, Buffalo, NY 14208
Fees: None
www.caoec.org

Community Services for the Developmentally Disabled, Inc.
716-877-1111x566
1170 Kenmore Ave., Buffalo, NY 14217
www.csdd.net

Compass House
24 hour hotline: 716-886-0935
1451 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14209

Emergency Shelter:
370 Linwood Ave., Buffalo NY 14209
www.compasshouse.org

Family Justice Center
716-558-7233  (SAFE)
438 Main St., Ste. 201, Buffalo, NY  14202
Fee: None
www.fjcsafe.org

Two satellite offices:
Orchard Park Office, 4383 Buffalo St., Orchard Park, NY 14127 716-662-0259
Amherst Office, 330 N. Forest Rd., Williamsville, NY 14221 716-634-4309

Haven House/Child & Family Services
Hotline 716-884-6000
Office 716-884-6002
PO Box 451, Ellicott Station, Buffalo, NY 14205

Little Portion Friary
716-882-5705
1305 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14209
Adults 18+. Cannot be actively psychotic or substance abusing. Closed during August.

Matt Urban Hope Center/ Lt. Col. Matt Urban HSC of WNY
716-893-7222
385 Paderewski Dr., Buffalo, NY 14212
www.urbanctr.org/matturbanhopecenter.html
Fee: None

Transitional Services, Inc./Emergency Housing Service
716-886-0363
336 Forest Ave., Buffalo, NY 14222
www.tsiwny.org

WNY Veterans Housing Coalition
716-882-5935 x 26
25 W. Utica St., Buffalo, NY 1420
Fees: None
www.wnyvhc.org

Community Missions of Niagara Frontier
716-285-3403
1570 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls, NY 14303
www.communitymissions.org

LOCATIONS:

·Emergency Housing Shelter
716-285-3403
1570 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls, NY 14303
Fees: None

·Hope House – The Peer Recovery Respite Center
716-433-6543
344 Walnut St., Lockport, NY  14094
Fees: None

·Niagara Falls Respite
716-285-3403
1570 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls, NY 14303
Fees: None

Erie County Housing Programs

Individuals with severe mental illness in need of housing should call Erie County Single Point of Access (SPOA) at 716-858-7059 or apply using this form to determine if they are eligible for housing assistance and other intensive coordinated services through this County program. Online application for housing programs can be made by going to the Erie County Department of Mental Health website. Family member caregivers and providers may also file a housing request and application on behalf of an individual.

A description of the Erie County SPOA housing options obtained from the Erie County Department of Mental Health website are:

Descriptions of Housing Programs

Supportive (Non-Licensed) Housing Programs:

Supported/Supportive Housing Programs (SHP) – these programs operate scattered site apartments selected by and leased by the consumers themselves. The SHP programs provide rental payment assistance, furniture, household supplies, and supportive services. Staff provide services designed to assist consumers to obtain or refine skills necessary for more independent living and increased self-sufficiency. Staff generally meet with the consumer two or more times per month depending on individual consumer needs. Consumers are expected to develop individual goals which focus on living more independently. The typical length of stay is 3-4 years. Referrals are coordinated through the SPOA and the Erie County Housing Coordinator. OMH funded SHPs require verification of significant impairment in functioning due to a mental disability. HUD funded SHPs also require verification of homelessness at the time of admission. The Erie County Housing Coordinator is responsible for agency assignment. The SHP providers include Transitional Services, Inc., Living Opportunities of DePaul, BestSelf Behavioral Health, Spectrum Human Services, Horizon Human Services, Southern Tier Environments for Living, Housing Options Made Easy, Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers, Cazenovia Recovery Systems, Restoration Society, and WNY Veteran’s Housing Coalition.

Licensed Housing Programs:

Supervised Community Residences – SCR & SOCR are congregate care facilities (group homes) which house 8 to 24 residents 18 years of age or older. These Programs are considered transitional and rehabilitative in nature, as the resident’s goal is to move to a less restrictive living environment within 24 months. Bedrooms are often shared but some programs have single bedrooms. Residents participate in the upkeep of the house which includes meal planning and preparation. Recreation activities are provided. Some group homes include an attached training apartment (TSI) for residents ready to test independent living skills. Staff is on site 24/7. SCR services are provided by The Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers, DePaul Community Services, Southern Tier Environments for Living, Transitional Services, Inc., CMI and the Olmstead (SOCR)* and Pathways Residences (SOCR).

*State Operated Community Residence (BPC)

Supervised Senior Community Residences – SSCR operate the same as Supervised Community Residences but are for consumers who are 55 years of age or older. Residents are encouraged to identify independent living goals but there is less emphasis placed on moving to an apartment. SSCR are provided by Greenwood Residences (all single bedrooms), Southern Tier Environments for Living, and Transitional Services, Inc.

Treatment/Supervised Apartments – TSA provide transitional housing in shared one, two and three bedroom apartments in the community. The apartments are either located at a single site which has staff on site 24/7 or scattered site apartments which staff visit from 3 to 7 days each week and are on call for emergencies 24/7. Staff provide services designed to assist residents obtain or refine skills necessary for independent living. Cash allowances for groceries and clothing are provided by some programs. Residents are expected to develop individual goals which focus on living more independently. The typical length of stay is 18 to 24 months. TSA housing services are provided by The Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers, Living Opportunities of DePaul, Southern Tier Environments for Living, CMI and Transitional Services, Inc.

MICA Housing – MICA – are Group Home and Treatment Apartment Programs capable of providing specialized staffing and services for consumers who are diagnosed with an addictions disorder as well as a psychiatric disability. MICA Group Homes are operated by Transitional Services, Inc. and the Waterfront Residence (BPC). Transitional Services, Inc. also operates a 10 bed supervised apartment program for MICA. Single bedrooms are available.

Young Adult Housing – YAH is a group home and supported housing program providing specialized services for individuals 18 to 21 years of age who are transitioning from Residential Treatment Facilities or congregate living environments for adolescents. Services are similar to other group settings. There is staffing capacity to provide more intensive services for individuals participating in the supported housing component of the program. YAH services are provided by Transitional Services, Inc.

Residential Care Centers for Adults –  RCCA offers congregate care support facilities for transitional and extended stays for up to 101 residents. While it is anticipated that, over time, residents will move to more independent housing, there is no set time for completing the program. RCCA’s are designed to work with individuals who need more focused Adult Daily Living (ADL) skills training and other rehabilitative services. Staff is on site 24/7, and nursing staff is available 5 days a week. The RCCA is operated by BPC.

Family Care – FC provides housing for up to four adults with an unrelated family in the community. Providers offer support, furnished rooms, meals, companionship and security. The host family also provides 24-hour supervision, laundry, housekeeping and medication management services. The Family Care Program is operated by BPC.

Single Room Occupancy-CR – SRO’s provide housing that is specifically designed to offer longer term housing (but still transitional in nature) in a service-enriched setting. These programs are intended to provide housing and services for individuals who need to work on developing and improving upon daily living skills. Residential staff provide services on-site which includes medication management, money management, symptom management, assertiveness training, community integration, and other recovery-oriented services. SRO housing is provided by Living Opportunities of DePaul.

Supportive/Supervised/Subsidized Housing Resources

This list includes licensed and unlicensed housing programs offered through Erie County and other organizations. It also includes organizations that can assist you in finding housing. This list is not intended to be all inclusive. Contact the Erie County Department of Mental Health or WNY211 for additional agencies.

Belmont Housing Resources for WNY
716-884-7791 x 116
1195 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14209-2196
Fees: None
www.belmonthousingwny.org

Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers, Inc. (BFNC)
716-852-5065
45 Jewett Ave., Buffalo, NY 14214
www.bfnc.org

Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority
716-855-6711
300 Perry St., Buffalo, NY 14204
www.bmhahousing.com

Buffalo Psychiatric Center
716-885-2261
400 Forest Ave., Buffalo, NY 14213
www.omh.ny.gov/omhweb/facilities/bupc/
Housing options include: RCCA, SOCR, FC, Supervised and Supportive.

Cazenovia Recovery Systems Inc. Housing Program
716-894-7298
1430 Main St., Buffalo, NY  14209
www.cazenoviarecovery.org
Fees:  Social Services or Social Security, private pay, sliding scale if these do not cover.

Etaria Rehabilitation Ctr./Northwest Community Mental Health & TSI
716-871-7092
1300 Niagara St., Buffalo, NY 14213
admin@northwestcmhc.org
Fee: accepts all insurances
Fourteen-bed residence and continuing day treatment program.

Family Care Program
716-885-2261
Buffalo Psychiatric Center
400 Forest Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14213-1298
www.omh.ny.gov/omhweb/adults/family_care.html

Housing Opportunities Made Equal, Inc. (HOME)
716-854-1400
1542 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14209
www.homeny.com

Housing Options Made Easy, Inc.
716-532-5508
75 Jamestown, Gowanda, NY 14070
Fees: None once eligible.
www.housingoptions.org
Supportive housing for those who meet eligibility requirements.

Independent Living Center (ILC) /Mental Health Peer Connection
716-836-0822
3108 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14214
www.wnyil.org/mhpc

Living Opportunities of DePaul
(716) 391-5400
2475 George Urban Blvd Suite 201, Depew, NY
www.depaul.org

 

National Call Center for Homeless Veterans
817-424-3838
On-line chat available: www.va.gov/homeless/nationalcallcenter.asp

NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH)
518-402-4233
Office of Housing Development & Support
SONYMA Home of Your Own (HOYO) program and CCAP (Closing Cost Assistance Program)
44 Holland Ave., 7th flr.; Albany, NY 12229

Rental Assistance Corporation of Buffalo
716-882-0063
470 Franklin St., Buffalo, NY 14202
Fees: None
www.racbny.org

Restoration Society Inc. Housing Solutions Program
716-832-2141
66 Englewood Ave., Buffalo NY 14214
www.rsiwny.org

Spectrum Human Services
716-662-2040
1280 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14209
www.shswny.org
26 supported housing beds in Southtowns area.

STEL (Southern Tier Environments for Living)
716-366-3200
715 Central Ave., Dunkirk, NY 14048
www.stel.org
Fees: Accepts Medicaid, SSI, SSD, VA, private insurance

Transitional Services, Inc. (TSI)
716-874-8182
389 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, NY 14222
www.tsiwny.org

Community Missions of Niagara Frontier, Inc.
716-285-3402
1570 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls, NY 14302
www.communitymissions.org
Provides supervised, support and transitional housing
Service Area: Niagara County