The need for HOME
HOME is the only agency in Western New York providing comprehensive services for victims of housing discrimination. These services include recording and investigating reported incidents of discrimination, paralegal counseling, client advocacy, case preparation for legal action, and support services for victims and their families. The affordable housing crisis in WNY also increases the need for organizations such as HOME. The affordable housing crisis consists of a combination of unsustainable housing costs, housing discrimination and growing poverty rates, which often forces many families into homelessness. Thus, the need for affordable housing is growing rapidly in WNY. For example, the homelessness statistics in Buffalo and surrounding areas, which was undertaken at the request of the Homeless Alliance of Western New York, show an increase in the homeless population between 2010 and 2017, which directly correlates with the rapid decline in affordable housing and rapid rent increases. As a result, with hopes of ameliorating the current affordable housing crisis in WNY, HOME’s mission is to provide families with equal opportunities to fair housing.
How HOME impacts the WNY Community
