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Community Development
Helping to Build Better Neighborhoods and a Better Community!
Hamburg Community Development has been making a better community for Town of Hamburg residents since 1985. Our department utilizes the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the Home Investment Partnership (HOME) programs as funded from the United States Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD). We have also applied for and have been awarded other grant funding to assist the community. Since 1985, Hamburg Community Development has brought in over $40 million in funding for the town and its villages. As part of these programs, we built two affordable housing subdivisions, while currently offering several housing programs including renovations for homes/mobile homes and our first-time buyer program. We also created numerous public service programs and completed millions of dollars of public facility projects throughout the entire town, including the Villages of Blasdell and Hamburg. Our client services are available to income eligible residents, see the chart under "Service Information" below. However, our "First Time Homebuyer" (FTHB) program is available to all "income eligible" persons/families looking to purchase their first home (single family) within the township, regardless of their current residence. Our primary funding agency is the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, thus we must follow their rules/regulations, which includes the income limits per family size. The Town of Hamburg became a CDBG Entitlement Community in 1985 and has administered its own program since then. The Town of Hamburg is an Equal Housing Opportunity provider and has had its own Fair Housing Law since 1986. The towns Fair Housing Law includes "Source of Income" protection, among many other statutes (see the towns Fair Housing Law under the Fair Housing section below).
The Town of Hamburg has housing programs that can assist you to:
* Become a first time home owner; conditional grants up to $20,000
* Renovate your home or mobile home
Certain restrictions apply to each program - Income levels are set by the US Department of HUD
Call our office at 716-648-6216 for details or click on a program application link below within "Service Information" below.
Section 8 Housing (Housing Choice Voucher) program is NOT administered by the Town of Hamburg:
Please contact your Section 8 provider or Belmont Housing Resources for WNY for assistance with the Housing Choice Voucher program (716-884-7791).
See a list of Countywide assistance program phone numbers > assistance programs/phone numbers.
- Temporary Assistance Programs Erie County Social Services:
- Homeless Alliance Homeless Alliance of WNY
PY 2026 CDBG/HOME Public Hearings
PUBLIC NOTICE - TOWN OF HAMBURG COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
The Town of Hamburg Community Development Department is holding public hearings to seek citizen participation and input for Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership program funding anticipated from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development for PY 2026 (4/2026-3/2027). These public hearings provide an opportunity for all residents to express community development and housing needs and to discuss possible projects which would benefit low/moderate income persons and others eligible for use with CDBG and HOME funding. Proposed projects must meet US Department of Housing and Urban Development national objectives and eligibility criteria. Public hearings will be held on the following dates and times. All hearing will be held at 6122 South Park Avenue (Hamburg Community Development):
September 22, 2025 6:30pm 6122 South Park Avenue
September 29, 2025 6:30pm 6122 South Park Avenue
October 6, 2025 6:30pm 6122 South Park Avenue
October 20, 2025 6:30pm 6122 South Park Avenue
Residents are urged to attend these hearings to make known their funding requests and/or comments on the town’s CDBG and HOME programs. 6122 South Park Avenue is an accessible site. For further information or questions, please contact the Hamburg Community Development at (716) 648-6216.
All funding requests are due by noon; October 23rd (6122 South Park Avenue).
Fair Housing
Hamburg has had its own Fair Housing Law since 1986!
The Town of Hamburg continues its partnership with Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) to provide Fair Housing services for town residents. HOME, Inc. provides tenant and landlord workshops either in-person or online. You can access their workshops and training by clicking on the following link to HOME: www.homeny.org/education-training
The Town of Hamburg is an "Equal Housing Opportunity" provider! Officially, the month of April is Fair Housing Month each year, yet in Hamburg, it is always Fair Housing Month. The Town of Hamburg has had its Fair Housing Law since 1986, which includes "source of income" protection. This form of discrimination is illegal within the Town of Hamburg, Erie County and the State of New York. If you feel you have been discriminated against at all, call our office and/or Housing Opportunities Made Equal, Inc. at 716-854-1400.
See Hamburg's Fair Housing Law (PDF).
***Annual Marketing Plan Requirement***
For landlords/realtors/developers renting 20 or more units per year, the Town of Hamburg "requires" a Marketing Plan to be on file! These plans are due in January of each year to the Department of Community Development. The specific requirements of these marketing plans are within Section 109-10 of the Town of Hamburg's Fair Housing Law. See the pdf of the law by clicking on the link above. The Town of Hamburg contracts with Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME, Inc.) to assist with this requirement. Correspondence from HOME, Inc. is sent out in January each year (this is currently underway).
Legal/Eviction Services:
As part of the town's Homeless Prevention Program, Hamburg Community Development works with "The Center for Elder Law & Justice" and "Neighborhood Legal Services" to provide free legal assistance to qualified residents dealing with evictions, eviction issues, or other eligible legal services. Call our office for information at 716-648-6216 or directly contact the listed agency below at their phone number:
* Center for Elder Law & Justice 716-853-3087 (Primary contact)
What to expect if you fall behind on rent.
* Neighborhood Legal Services 716-847-0650 (Secondary contact)
Housing Services:
Housing Opportunities Made Equal, Inc (HOME) is on site the 1st Wednesday of each month between the hours of 2:00pm & 4:00pm at 6122 South Park Avenue (Community Development Office). Topics relating to fair housing, tenant rights, landlord rights, plus more can be discussed. All are welcome! FREE! If you need assistance from HOME stop in then or call 716-854-1400.
Belmont Housing Resources for WNY (Belmont) is on site the 4th Tuesday of each month between the hours of 2:00pm & 4:00pm at 6122 South Park Avenue (Community Development Office). Topics relating to budget, credit, debt counseling as well as housing issues can be discussed. All are welcome! FREE! If you need assistance from Belmont stop in then or call 716-884-7791.
Affordable Housing Reporting
In May 2016, the town's law established an "inclusionary zoning" statute which put into effect all new multifamily developments of eight or more units must provide for 10% of said project as affordable housing.
Affordable Housing reporting form (PDF). PY 2025 Affordable Reporting Form
All Rental Housing Providers
Are you trying to advertise an apartment for rent? Before you do anything, please read through Fair Housing law(s) for the jurisdiction you are trying to rent in or trying to rent to. The Town of Hamburg has had its own Fair Housing Law since 1986 (see below): There are also Erie County, New York State and federal Fair Housing laws that pertain (see below):
- Hamburg Fair Housing Law (PDF)
- Erie County Fair Housing Law
- New York State Fair Housing/Equal Opportunity