The Buffalo City Mission has a five-year plan to eradicate homelessness in the City of Buffalo, and expansion of its current facility on E. Tupper Street is a key component. The $27 million project calls for a three-story building over covered parking to create a new campus to supply more living space and needed services for guests of the Mission struggling with homelessness.

Along with collaboration from its partners within the community, the City Mission is aiming to address not only the short-term needs of the homeless—such as emergency housing—but long-term needs as well, including permanent housing, job-skill development and employment. As a result, the Mission and its partners have set an ambitious goal of eradicating homelessness in the City of Buffalo by 2020.

The City Mission’s new development project will provide housing and human services that are in line with the Homeless Alliance of Western New York’s 10-Year Plan to end homelessness. The organization had been looking to relocate from its existing facility and retained McGuire Development Company to analyze its options. After an extensive search, the Mission decided to expand in place and is working with McGuire and architecture, engineering and design firm Carmina Wood Morris on the ambitious project. A mix of public and private sources is expected to be tapped for the project.