Salvation Army of Buffalo celebrates completion of Family Emergency Shelter

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Salvation Army of Buffalo celebrated a milestone moment Friday with the opening of its new Family Emergency Shelter, completing the first phase of its three-phase Hope on Main project.

Located on The Salvation Army’s campus at 954 Main Street in Buffalo, the 40,000-plus-square-foot shelter gives families experiencing homelessness a safe, supportive place to regroup and connect with the services and resources they need to build long-term stability.

"We are just thrilled to be able to open the doors of this new shelter that's going to be welcoming families in - just as the weather starts to turn - giving them a safe, warm place to come in, begin rebuilding, getting the tools that they need to really start a good foundation moving forward into the path of permanent housing,” said Major Annette Lock, director of county operations at The Salvation Army.

The three-story facility features an open-concept first floor with spaces where families can gather, connect and access resources provided by The Salvation Army. Amenities include a computer lab, activity room, teen room, nursery and shared dining area for families to use throughout their stay. The first floor also includes administrative and meeting areas where staff can coordinate services for families entering the shelter.

"As they come in, it's a welcoming space. There's a large activity room and a beautiful dining room, commercial kitchen where we prepare three meals for the families each day," Lock said with WBEN. "There are our case manager offices and special clinical service offices, where they will be able to have meetings and create a path forward, and really be able to find the assistance that they need.

"It's a beautiful, clean, healthy, modern facility where people will come in and feel comfortable and welcomed, and really have the tools and resources they need. Our staff is ready, and really wanting to come alongside families to help them on their journey to really where they're going next, and that stable path ahead for them."

As families enter the building, they are greeted by “The Tree of Hope,” a mural by local artists Danielle Saeva and Naija Boles symbolizing hope, strength and the journey toward stability and a place to call home.

The second and third floors are dedicated to residential use, with 32 units and 80 beds available to incoming families. Each unit includes a private bathroom, with connecting units available to accommodate larger families. The spaces are designed to provide families with comfort, privacy and stability as they work toward securing permanent housing.

"We have some flexibility in the rooms, where if we have a smaller family - maybe a single parent and a child - the rooms are appropriate for that. But also we have some larger rooms, and rooms that also can open up, sort of in a suite situation where larger families in the community will come in, they'll be comfortable as well, being able to stay together. Just a beautiful atmosphere," Lock added.

Families currently staying in The Salvation Army’s existing shelter will transfer to the new facility in the coming weeks.

Emergency Shelter Funding Structure

Hope on Main is made possible through the generous support of state, local and corporate partners, as well as the community. The total investment in Phase I’s Family Emergency Shelter is $20.5 million, funded by:

• $10 million from the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s Homeless Housing and Assistance Program
• $3.6 million from the City of Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency
• $1.2 million from the Erie County Capital Improvement Program
• $1.9 million from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York
• $3 million from The Salvation Army, including major gifts from area foundations and corporate partners
• A $750,000 CREST (Community, Resiliency, Economic, Sustainability, and Technology) Award

Operating support for the project will also be provided by the Erie County Department of Social Services, the City of Buffalo Emergency Solutions Grant, and the New York State Department of Health’s Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program through FeedMore WNY.

Hope on Main Phases II and III

With the Family Emergency Shelter complete, Hope on Main looks ahead to Phases II and III, building on the project’s broader vision to create greater stability and opportunity for individuals and families in the community.

Phase II will expand access to affordable housing through a seven-story building on Main Street featuring 143 one- and two-bedroom apartments and a dedicated floor for community space. The phase will also include 17 three-bedroom townhouses on North Pearl Street, creating additional housing options for larger families.

Phase III will focus on East Buffalo, with the construction of the new East Buffalo Salvation Army Church and Community Center, a place for neighbors to gather, access resources and participate in supportive programs. Plans for the center include a chapel and offices, an after-school learning program, gymnasium, fitness center, food pantry and storage space, kitchen and dining areas, and a music program. For local youth, the center will provide a safe place to get help with homework, participate in activities such as basketball and volleyball, and connect with their community after school.

As Hope on Main moves into its next phases, The Salvation Army is calling on the community to help bring the project’s full vision to life. Approximately $30 million has already been committed toward the campaign’s $100 million fundraising goal across all three phases. Community members have an opportunity to build on that momentum, supporting an organization that has served Buffalo for more than 140 years while helping make a lasting impact on individuals and families throughout the community.

For more information about The Salvation Army’s Hope on Main project and opportunities to get involved, please visit https://easternusa.salvationarmy.org/empire/buffalo/hope-on-main/