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HEART OF THE CITY NEIGHBORHOODS INC
BUFFALO, NY · EIN 161544656 · Form 990 · FY2025 · NTEE L20 · Housing & Shelter · Medium ($1M-$10M) · hocn.org
revenue
$4.3M
expenses
$4.5M
net assets
$126K
employees
7
program ratio
94%
mission · from form 990

HEART OF THE CITY NEIGHBORHOODS, INC. IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION ORGANIZED FOR THE PURPOSE OF WORKING TOWARDS WESTERN NEW YORK NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND PRESERVATION.

profile · synthesized from sources

Heart of the City Neighborhoods Inc. (HOCN) is a Buffalo-based nonprofit focused on neighborhood development and preservation in Western New York. The organization advances affordable housing through homeownership initiatives, rental property development, and home repair programs for low- to moderate-income residents. HOCN also leads community revitalization efforts, including commercial corridor improvements and lead-safe housing initiatives.

named programs · 7 · from sources

What they call their work

Buffalo Main Streets Initiative Program
Administered façade and building renovation grants for commercial and residential properties on Niagara and Grant Streets
Cynthia Gardens
Constructed and manages affordable rental housing units on Hudson Street for low-income families
Emergency Assistance Program
Offers emergency repair funding for urgent issues like roof leaks, heating system failures, and electrical hazards to eligible homeowners
Green and Healthy Homes Rehabilitation Program
Addresses lead paint, water, and soil hazards in homes, particularly for developmentally disabled homeowners
Plymouth Avenue Block Reclamation Project
Acquired and rehabilitated vacant homes on Plymouth Avenue for resale to first-time homebuyers, beginning in 2002
RESTORE Program
Provides financial assistance to senior homeowners aged 60+ for emergency repairs that threaten health and safety
Target Streets Rehab Program
Provides income-eligible homeowners with grants and no-interest loans for code-related repairs on designated streets in Buffalo
activities · 6 groups

What they do

  • Capital Infrastructure Funding 1 activity
    • Administers capital grant programs for neighborhood development
      Manages grant funds to support building and site improvements in Buffalo neighborhoods, including a $10 million fund for capital grants ranging from $100,000 to $2 million and a Small Projects track offering up to $400,000 for renovation projects on the East Side. Also administered the Buffalo Main Streets Initiative, providing financial assistance for commercial and residential renovations.
  • Affordable Housing Development and Management 1 activity
    • Administers rental housing and homeownership programs
      Manages eight affordable rental units in Buffalo’s Lower West Side and provides first-time homebuyer programs with grant assistance. The organization also acquires and sells rehabilitated homes to low- and moderate-income families, supporting sustainable homeownership.
  • Neighborhood Revitalization Initiatives 1 activity
    • Conducts community improvement and stabilization projects
      Implements neighborhood stabilization and beautification initiatives including tree planting, traffic calming, housing court advocacy, cleaning and greening public spaces, and organizing community workshops. These efforts have expanded to Buffalo’s East Side and Ellicott District using an asset-based community development model.
  • Affordable Home Construction & Rehabilitation 1 activity
    • Develops and rehabilitates affordable housing units
      Acquires, renovates, and constructs residential properties to create or restore affordable housing units for low- and moderate-income families in Buffalo. The organization has created and restored 939 units of affordable housing and completed over $7 million in development for Black faith-based communities, including projects such as Cynthia Gardens Apartments and Mt. Aaron Manor.
  • Home Repair Assistance for Low-Income Households 1 activity
    • Provides home repair and rehabilitation assistance to homeowners
      Offers grant and loan programs, application assistance, and direct services to support home repairs for low- to moderate-income and senior homeowners. Programs include the 50/50 Rehab Program and Target Streets Rehab Program, addressing critical systems such as heating, roofing, plumbing, electrical, and structural safety, with support for over 605 owner-occupied homes.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Provides housing resources and referrals
      Offers housing information, application assistance, and referrals to homeowners, tenants, and landlords, including support for accessing grant programs and low-interest loans, even when individuals are outside the organization’s direct service area.
financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$4.32M
Contributions & grants$4.33M100%
Program service revenue$26K1%
Investment income$-34K-1%
Other revenue$228
expenses
Total expenses$4.51M
Program expenses94%
Admin / overhead6%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$621K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$4.50M
Cash$145K
Investments$0
Liabilities$4.37M
Net assets$126K
Liquid reserves0.4 mo
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +28.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025

Who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
STEPHANIE SIMEON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40 $153K
MICHELLE WOOTON DIRECTOR OF FINANCE 20 $60K
board members · 10
  • ALEX CARDUCCI — MEMBER
  • ALEXANDER DRAINVILLE — SECRETARY
  • CHRIS FILLION — TREASURER
  • ELIZA FRANK — MEMBER
  • ERIC LANDER — PRESIDENT
  • HOWARD BLOCK — VICE PRESIDENT
  • LISA VAHAPOGLU — MEMBER
  • PAUL MCDONNELL — MEMBER
  • SHARONNDA BAXTER — MEMBER
  • THERESA GAY — MEMBER
relationships · 48

Who they work with

  • Bank of America Partner — Partner mortgage lender providing financing options for homebuyers.
  • Belmont Housing Resources for WNY Partner — Partner providing foreclosure prevention assistance.
  • Belmont Housing Resources for WNY Partner — Referral partner for HUD-certified homebuyer education and financial counseling services.
  • Breezer Development LLC Partner — Assisted with administration of a Buffalo Main Streets Initiative Program for the renovation of 1225 Niagara Street.
  • Broadway Fillmore Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. Partner — Partner offering housing services and homeowner assistance.
  • Brush Up Buffalo Partner — Collaborated to paint 13 homes in one day as part of neighborhood beautification efforts.
  • Buffalo Metropolitan Federal Credit Union Partner — Partner mortgage lender providing financing options for homebuyers.
  • Buffalo Urban League Partner — Referral partner for HUD-certified homebuyer education and financial counseling services.
  • Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency Government — Co-administers the Emergency Assistance Program with HOCN and accepts applications on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency Government — Co-administers the Target Streets Rehab Program, sets eligibility criteria, and processes applications in partnership with HOCN.
  • Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency Government — Co-administrator of the 50/50 Rehab Program and recipient of federal funds used to support the program.
  • City of Buffalo Government — Administers the Emergency Assistance Program in partnership with HOCN and provides funding through CDBG and HOME programs.
  • City of Buffalo Government — Partner in administering the 50/50 Rehab Program and source of funding through CDBG and HOME programs.
  • City of Buffalo Government — Partner in administering the Target Streets Rehab Program through funding and designation of eligible streets.
  • City of Buffalo Partner — Collaborates on housing resources and services within the city.
  • City of Buffalo Community Partnerships Initiative Programs Government — Partnered since 2015 to connect residents with HOME and CDBG funded home repair programs.
  • Community Action Organization of WNY Partner — Partner agency providing homeowner counseling and support services.
  • Community Bank Partner — Partner mortgage lender providing financing options for homebuyers.
  • Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Buffalo, Inc. (CCCS) Partner — Referral partner for HUD-certified homebuyer education and financial counseling services.
  • Empire State Development Government — Local nonprofit partner administering state-funded programs in Buffalo.
  • Empire State Development Partner — Co-funder of the East Side Anchor track, providing grants up to $2 million for large-scale renovation projects.
  • Evans Bank Partner — Partner mortgage lender providing financing options for homebuyers.
  • Fillmore Leroy Area Residents Inc. Partner — Partner offering homeowner assistance programs.
  • Five Star Bank Partner — Partner mortgage lender providing financing options for homebuyers.
  • Homefront, Inc. Partner — Referral partner for HUD-certified homebuyer education and financial counseling services.
  • Key Bank Partner — Partner mortgage lender providing financing options for homebuyers.
  • Learning Disability Association of WNY Partner — Partnered on the Green and Healthy Homes Rehabilitation Program to support developmentally disabled homeowners.
  • Lt. Col. Matt Urban Human Services Center Partner — Partner agency delivering weatherization assistance.
  • M&T Bank Partner — Partner mortgage lender providing financing options for homebuyers.
  • Mt. Aaron Missionary Baptist Church Partner — Partnered to construct Mt. Aaron Manor, affordable senior housing in the Pratt-Willet community.
+ 18 more
strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Aging in Place through Emergency Repair
    methodology: aging-in-place support
    By offering emergency home repair assistance specifically to seniors, the organization enables safe and independent living at home, reducing displacement and preserving community continuity among aging residents.
  • Community-Driven Revitalization
    methodology: community-driven_revitalization
    By engaging residents in locally developed programs and neighborhood improvement, the organization strengthens social connections and fosters long-term community solidarity, leading to sustained economic and physical revitalization in mixed-use districts.
  • Green and Healthy Housing Model
    methodology: green-and-healthy-housing
    By addressing environmental health risks such as lead exposure from paint, water, and soil during home repairs, the organization improves housing safety and supports long-term resident well-being, particularly for vulnerable populations like seniors and children.
  • Housing-First with Integrated Support
    methodology: housing_first
    By providing fully furnished, move-in-ready affordable rental units with full appliances and in-unit laundry, the organization reduces barriers to stable housing; this is combined with homebuyer assistance, homeowner support, and rental development to create a comprehensive pathway to housing stability and neighborhood preservation.
  • Targeted Neighborhood Investment
    methodology: targeted-neighborhood-intervention
    By concentrating resources—such as emergency repair grants, high-cost-share renovation funding, and application assistance—in designated low-to-moderate income or capacity-ready neighborhoods, the organization maximizes impact on community revitalization and housing stability where needs are greatest.