Mayor Evans joins project partners and opens applications for second round of 'Buy the Block' homes
Mayor Malik D. Evans was joined today by Rochester City Councilmembers and project partners to open the application period for the second round of homes for the City’s “Buy the Block – Greenlining for a Better Rochester” program. The City of Rochester initiative is designed to strengthen city neighborhoods and create generational wealth for residents by increasing homeownership.
“Today, we continue in our commitment to investing in neighborhoods suffering from the long-lasting effects of redlining,” said Mayor Evans. “Buy the Block is about creating equity by providing greater access to quality and affordable homes. I am grateful for our government and community partners for their continued support enabling families to experience homeownership.”
The initiative will see up to 32 new homes built in Southwest Rochester in the coming year. The energy-efficient (all electric), high-quality homes feature a selection of floor plans which range from a ranch style to accommodate aging in place or those with special needs, to three- and four-bedroom, two-story structures for larger households.
Applications for the second phase of Buy the Block are now being accepted. Applicants must be first-time homebuyers with a household income at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income. The homes range in price from $99,000 - $155,000, and each buyer will be reviewed to be sure they spend no more than 30 percent of their income on housing. Buyers will be required to live in the home for a minimum of 15 years.
Homes are being constructed between Judson Terrace and Lenox Street, Churchlea Place and Edgewood Park, Epworth Street and Jefferson Avenue, and Van Auker and Reynolds Streets.
“We’ve only been in our home for a few months, but we absolutely love it here and couldn’t be more thankful,” said Efren Beltran Montes and Migdalia Bruno, previous Buy the Block homebuyers. “We were kept updated every step of the way during the application process and we never lost faith that our new home would come to us.
When we got the call that our application was accepted, we were so excited to be able to spend the holidays in our new home, surrounded by family and friends.”
Buy the Block is supported by $13.3 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
Project partners include the Greater Rochester Housing Partnership (GRHP), Greater Rochester Habitat for Humanity, Atlas Contractors, USC Builds, and Ibero American Development Corporation.
To learn more and begin the application process, visit www.cityofrochester/BuytheBlock.
Apply today!
Applications open December 10, 2024 and will remain open until all slots are filled. Any additional applications received after that will be added to a waiting list.