Homeless Alliance of Western New York

07/09/2025

🌟All organizations are welcome to apply, regardless of previous CoC experience! Participation from a diverse range of providers is encouraged to ensure that the most effective partners, including faith-based organizations, are involved in addressing homelessness in our region. You can find the form and more details here ⬇️
https://wnyhomeless.org/continuum-of-care/funding-competition/

📃The Intent to Apply form is the first step in the local application process and is required for any organization seeking to be considered for inclusion in the CoC’s federal application. Important details:

🔹 This is not a renewal application, only for new projects
🔹 Total requests should not exceed $500,000 per projects.
🔹 Deadline to submit: 7/30/2025 4:00 PM

☎️If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to contact Executive Director Kexin Ma at [email protected].

07/08/2025

🌟Our event is this week!🌟 Come meet your fellow outreach workers, housing case managers, program directors and dozens of other industry staff that work alongside you each day to serve the most vulnerable in our community! 🤝

Have non-industry partner, friends, or family you'd like to bring along? Please do! For every beverage sold, $1 goes to the Homeless Alliance of WNY at no extra cost! 🍻

We can't wait to see you there!💙

06/23/2025

⚠️Extreme heat is here! ⚠️

Take precautions, monitor yourself for heat-related illnesses like heat-stroke, and seek out cooling centers if your community has them!

For more information and Erie County resources, click the link below ⬇️

The City of Buffalo has opened several cooling centers to help residents stay safe and cool.

Cooling centers will be open today, Monday, June 23 through Wednesday, June 25. Hours vary.

Other spaces in Erie County to stay cool are listed on our web site, www.erie.gov/staycool.

06/20/2025

🌟In our latest blog post, Ashley Matrassi, CoC Director at the Homeless Alliance, reflects on her recent panel experience at the Supportive Housing Network of New York’s Annual Conference as well as the importance of advocacy at this critical time for housing and homeless response:

"This conference reminded me that while the mountain ahead may be steep, we are not climbing it alone. Across New York and beyond, people are coming together with conviction and clarity. Housing is not a privilege; it is a HUMAN RIGHT. And we are building a system that reflects that truth." 👏

🔗Check out her entire blog post at the link below ⬇️

https://wnyhomeless.org/coming-together-to-build-a-better-future/

06/12/2025

✨🎊 The Homeless Alliance team is growing! 🎊✨

Check out our Careers page to see the current opportunities to join our dedicated team! ⬇️

The Homeless Alliance of WNY is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We focus on inclusive hiring practices and welcome the best talent across all background.

06/10/2025

➡️ Did you know we ended Veteran homelessness in WNY per federal criteria and benchmarks in 2017? 🎉

Furthermore, New York State has decreased Veteran homelessness by 79.9% since 2009—the largest percentage decrease of any state in the country! 📉👏

Several partners in our community continue working together to ensure every Veteran in WNY that experiences homelessness quickly finds a home to this day. ❤️🤍💙

06/05/2025

✨ The Homeless Alliance of WNY is hosting a fundraiser Industry Night happy hour! ✨

🎉Join us at 500 Pearl on July 10th to grab a drink 🍻 , put a face to the name of that colleague you're always emailing 🤝 , and meet others working to serve the most vulnerable in our community!

We'll be serving free pizza 🍕, raffling off a 42" TV 📺 , and two $100 gift cards 🤑 to industry staff person present!

🏙️ Feel the vibe at W XYZ Bar or take in the views from Patrick's Rooftop bar. You can even embrace the night and visit both! 🥂

While prizes are exclusive to industry staff, the event is open to the public! For every drink sold, $1 is raised for the Homeless Alliance 💙 🏠

RSVPs are encouraged, but not required at the link below ⬇️ We can't wait to see you there!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScxnfE7Yjz0Vt7_5BZmzomR8HwAihopgWaCTi4aD_wouQzrjg/viewform

06/04/2025

🚨 New Details on Devastating HUD Funding Cuts 🚨

Last Friday, the White House released more details about its FY2026 budget proposal—including deep cuts to the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD).

If passed, these cuts would worsen homelessness across the U.S. and right here in Western New York. 🏘️

⚠️ Cuts include eliminating Permanent Supportive Housing - a program that supports people experiencing homelessness with diagnosed disabilities. Over 2,000 people with disabilities supported by this program in WNY would lose their homes without these programs.

📢 We MUST speak up! Contact your representatives NOW and demand they protect these critical programs. Use the link below ⬇️

We’re proud that the main independent charity evaluators have given us their highest honor. meaning the Alliance uses the most possible of your gift to help those in need.

05/28/2025

🌟 Earlier this month, a dynamic gathering of leaders and changemakers from across WNY united with a shared mission: to tackle the pressing challenges of affordable housing and create community-driven solutions.

🤝 The Homeless Alliance of WNY partnered with Nyla Ga***rd, Executive Director of United Way of Orleans County and Nick Coulter, Community Housing Consultant for this innovative event. The Summit left attendees energized and empowered, and was a reminder that rural communities like Orleans County are not just sites of need—they are sources of strength, innovation, and care.

💙 HAWNY is grateful to sponsor this event and to work alongside everyone working to end homelessness and improve our rural, suburban, and urban communities across WNY!

A dynamic gathering of leaders and changemakers from across WNY united by a shared mission: to tackle the pressing challenges of affordable housing and create community-driven solutions.

05/23/2025

🌟➡️ A great training opportunity by the Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) and Opioid Response Network not only for homelessness and housing providers, but for any health professionals!

✍️ Sign up today here:
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=SMh2unaEEUy_CV7h9VyiIhoLfZnumLJIlRj5OQ6tWg1UN0dHMDNOWk9STUw0UzU2SE45SEJEMEJWSy4u&origin=lprLink&route=shorturl

05/21/2025

📢 Do you know your tenant rights?
If you have questions, we’re here to help!

📞 Call us or stop by 1542 Main Street between 9am-1pm, Monday through Thursday. We're ready to assist you!

05/19/2025

🌟Last week more than 50 homelessness and housing staff attended a training sponsored by the Homeless Alliance and led by New York State Homes & Community Renewal on how to better understand and access subsidized housing for those experiencing homelessness, families with low income, people with disabilities, and more! 🏘️

After the presentation a panel shared their experience and expertise on how to build in these resources into their work with people experiencing homelessness. Panelists included:
✨ Amanda from Heart, Love & Soul
✨ Stephanie from Evergreen Health
✨ Terri from Belmont Housing Resources for WNY, Inc.

Our community remains committed to finding every possible resource and opportunity to link people to safe, dignified housing and support resources in their most vulnerable time of need. 💙

Thank you to NYS Homes and Community Renewal, our panelists, and our participants for a great morning of learning together 🙌