Stigma aside, the focus on developing more housing options for those in the 'affordable' or 'workforce' demographic has become a top priority for Erie County and other municipalities as well.
Understand this, 'affordable' or 'workforce' housing focuses on those residents who have a moderate income level.
"It is not low income or Section 8 housing," said Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz. "That's why we often times refer to it as workforce housing."
The 'affordable' or 'workforce' housing issue took center stage during Erie County's fourth annual housing summit, held Nov. 14 in the Town of Aurora.
Affordable housing is the centerpiece of a joint effort between the City of Buffalo and Erie County along with local land bank to turn 47 vacant lots across Buffalo and another 5 in Cheektowaga into new workforce, single family homes.
Affordable housing is also the driving force behind Buffalo's Legacy Cities initiative where 51 empty lots in the Hamlin Park and Masten Park neighborhoods into new housing options.
Deputy County Executive Lisa Chimera said turning empty lots into houses can be a stabilizing force in neighborhoods.
"We've seen that where new houses on empty lots can lift a neighborhood in so many ways," Chimera said.
Chimera said Erie County isn't just focusing on urban neighborhoods. The intent is to look to rural communities too.
"Just as it can help lift Black Rock or Riverside (in Buffalo), it can help lift Marilla or Alden, too," Chimera said.