The Salvation Army of Buffalo Announces Construction Underway on $20 million Emergency Family Shelter
Hope on Main Phase I Emergency Family Shelter Includes 32 Units and 80 Beds of Emergency Housing for Families Facing Homelessness
Rendering of Hope on Main Emergency Family Shelter
The Salvation Army of Buffalo broke ground today on Phase I of the Hope on Main project. Building for the future and addressing the needs of the community, The Salvation Army’s new Emergency Family Shelter will provide 32 units and 80 beds of emergency housing at its Main Street campus. Replacing the existing shelter, the $20 million project will continue to provide a safe place for families in need and offer additional resources for the community. The new space will allow The Salvation Army the opportunity to keep families together, including those with teen boys and single fathers, rather than splitting them up, giving them a space to heal together and the opportunity to get back on their feet.
“Today marks a significant milestone as we break ground on The Salvation Army’s new Family Emergency Shelter; a symbol of hope, resilience, and the power of community. Together, we are building a brighter future for families in need, providing them with safe shelter and resources to rebuild their lives,” said Major Annette Lock, Director of County Operations at The Salvation Army. “We are deeply grateful for the unwavering support of our community whose generosity and commitment have made this possible. Thank you for standing with us in this vital mission. This is the beginning of the Hope on Main project, and with each phase, we will continue to build on this foundation of hope and possibility.”
In addition to the emergency beds, the Emergency Family Shelter will provide a space for all operations staff, food service kitchen and dining facility, common areas to support the various programs planned, laundry facilities, as well as other amenities for the residents. The new shelter will replace The Salvation Army's existing 77-bed shelter located on another parcel, so no residents will be displaced during construction. The Emergency Family Shelter will give those staying there a chance to find stability, feel the support from their community, and work through their next steps.
Part of a larger campaign, Hope on Main is a three-phase project to support the local community and provide affordable housing and relevant programs to help those in need. The Salvation Army met its fundraising goal for Phase I in June 2024 and is currently working through Phase II of the campaign focused on the Affordable Housing and Townhomes on Main Street, as well as Phase III, the East Buffalo Community Center, both buildings of which are scheduled to be complete in 2027.
The Hope on Main Phase II and III includes:
The construction of 143 one- and two-bedroom permanent affordable housing apartments for families on Main Street with wrap-around services on the first floor, and 17 three-bedroom townhomes for larger families in need on North Pearl.
The construction of the East Buffalo Salvation Army Church and Community Center, which will be home to a chapel, offices, an after-school program, summer camps, a youth mentoring program, gymnasium, fitness center, client choice food pantry, a kitchen, dining areas, and a music program.
And the establishment of an operations endowment to ensure the sustainability of the Hope on Main projects for years to come.
Through the state’s support and the community’s generosity, the first phase of construction for the Hope on Main project is now underway. Capital funding for Hope on Main Phase I includes $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, $1.5 million from The Salvation Army, and several additional major gifts from area foundations and corporate partners. Additionally, the site is participating in the Department of Environmental Conservation’s successful Brownfield Cleanup Program and, when complete, will be eligible for $3.7 million in tax credits administered by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. The Hope on Main campaign is pursuing a total fundraising goal of $100 million for its three phases.
In addition, operating funding for the project will be provided by the Erie County Department of Social Services, City of Buffalo Emergency Solutions Grant, United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, and New York State Department of Health Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program via FeedMore WNY.
"Today's groundbreaking on the Hope on Main project is a reminder of our shared commitment to ensuring that no family is left without shelter, support, or hope”, said City of Buffalo Mayor Christopher P. Scanlon. “The Salvation Army has long been a beacon of light for those facing hardship, and this expanded emergency shelter will provide a safe and dignified space for our most vulnerable residents. The City of Buffalo is proud to support this initiative through BURA’s HOME ARP program, contributing $3.6 million to help bring this vision to life. By working together, we are ensuring that individuals and families in crisis have not just a place to stay, but a foundation to rebuild their lives."
“It’s important that communities have a range of housing types to address the needs of those experiencing homelessness, and this shelter will allow families to live together with dignity while they work to secure permanent housing,” said New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn. “We are pleased to support The Salvation Army of Buffalo’s development and look forward to the completion of this shelter and the positive effect it will have on the community.”
The Salvation Army Main Street location has been serving the community and helping those in need since opening its doors in 1957. With a mission to help others, The Salvation Army offers more than a dozen programs, including Employment Services, Youth Empowerment Program, Neighbor for Neighbor, and Pathway to Hope. Hope on Main will allow The Salvation Army to continue providing these services and offer those in need a safe haven.
“People experiencing homelessness face barriers to achieve basic needs such as adequate nutrition and health care, which can potentially lead to preventable illnesses or delayed development in children,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald. “Access to temporary housing and nutrition assistance are vital supports for families experiencing homelessness.”
"For 140 years, The Salvation Army has been a beacon of hope in Buffalo, helping individuals and families overcome hardship," said Fillmore District Council Member Mitch Nowakowski. "The next phase of the Hope on Main redevelopment is more than just housing—-it's a foundation for stability, opportunity, and a brighter future for our most vulnerable residents. Investing in this project strengthens our community and ensures that no one is left behind.”
Several leaders in the community have championed this project since the beginning, including and especially Charles Balbach, a determined and generous local leader who passed away in May 2024 and had been serving as an Honorary Chair of the project.
“Melissa, John, Jennifer and I are very excited to represent our father, Charles Balbach, and his commitment to The Salvation Army,” said Teo Balbach of the Balbach Family Foundation. “He believed in the Hope on Main project, and we are proud to continue to champion this project and see the impact it will have on this community.”
As Phase I breaks ground, The Salvation Army and key partners, like Buffalo-based construction management firm Arc Building Partners, have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to move Hope on Main toward the official start of construction.
"Hope on Main is more than just a project—it’s a reflection of our shared commitment to strengthening our community alongside The Salvation Army,” said Frank L. Ciminelli II, President and CEO of Arc Building Partners. “This groundbreaking represents years of dedication and teamwork, and now that we’re here, I know our team is ready to get to work and get the job done for The Salvation Army. Today, we take that pivotal first step, and we look forward to seeing this vision come to life, providing hope and opportunity for those who need it most."
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/.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army helped nearly 24 million people in 2023 overcome poverty, addiction, and spiritual and economic hardships by preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and meeting human needs in His name without discrimination in nearly every ZIP code. By providing food, shelter, eviction prevention assistance, emergency disaster relief, rehabilitation, after-school and summer youth programs, spiritual enrichment, and more, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at nearly 7,000 centers of operation around the country. For more information, visit salvationarmybuffalo.org.