Author name: Buffalo Latino Village

THE HOMELESS VERSUS AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Leave a Comment / Community /

THE HOMELESS VERSUS AFFORTABLE HOUSING The holidays are here, and we’ll be entering 2021 along with President Biden and his Vice-President Kamala Harris when they take office in January.  Let’s hope this new administration will address the homelessness nightmare in America. The homelessness and housing situation must be resolved. It has gotten much worse, especially here in Western New York. The combination of rising and sustainable housing cost is causing an affordable housing crisis. Housing costs are wreaking havoc on families and individuals across America, especially in New York, where the cost of housing is continuously increasing. While the population in Western New York grows rapidly, more residents are becoming homeless. Statistics on homelessness in Buffalo and surrounding areas show an increase with the homelessness population by 46% between 2010 and 2017, which correlates with rapid decline in affordable housing. The cost of housing is getting much higher across America. Despite severe poverty, in the city, fair market rent for housing continues grow, driving the cost of living higher than the income level of many families.  A resident needs to make $32,400 annually  to afford a 2-bedroom apartment, but the city’s median income sits far below that at just $27,400. It has become a struggle to be able to afford housing in Western New York. About 60%  of the local renters are spending 1/3 of their income on housing, jeopardizing funds for other necessities, such as groceries, clothing and transportation. Others look for residence in the market-rate rentals, which are not restricted by affordable housing laws. Gentrification is transforming previously affordable properties into higher rental costs, creating luxury  apartments. Poverty is the root cause of homelessness. Families are being faced with the reality that they cannot find housing or afford rent. Over 45% of Buffalo residents and Erie county are living below the poverty line. Each year an estimated 5,500 individuals are homeless in Western New York, according to the Western NY Homeless Alliance of Western New York. For those affected by this reality, contact the Crisis Hotline; it operates 24-hours per day, assisting with food, clothing, and financial support. (716) 834-3131. Read More From This Writer All Post Business Culture Entertainment Food Government Health Interviews Lower West Side Business & Economic Development Medical Military & Veterans Our Community Peace People Sports THE HOMELESS VERSUS AFFORDABLE HOUSING December 25, 2020/No Comments POST TITLE (CAPITAL) Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus Read More THE NEW ERA OF IMMIGRANTS IN AMERICA October 25, 2020/No Comments THE NEW ERA OF IMMIGRANTS IN AMERICA This is the new era of immigrants entering the United States! I have Read More TRUMP AND THE CORONAVIRUS IS DOING A JOB ON US! PLEASE BE CAREFUL September 25, 2020/No Comments  TRUMP AND THE CORONAVIRUS IS DOING A JOB ON US! PLEASE BE CAREFUL Did you know that crime has risen Read More Load More End of Content.

THE HOMELESS VERSUS AFFORDABLE HOUSING Read More »

TARJETA DE NAVIDAD

Leave a Comment / Community, español /

La navidad fecha llena de amor, fe y esperanza. Esta tarjeta de Navidad es para mis amigos y seres queridos quienes apoyan y conocen de la justicia social. Mi tarjeta de Navidad es un recordatorio para que cada uno nos comprometamos a participar individualmente y colectivamente a edificarnos y a edificar nuestros diversas comunidades. De mi parte, le doy gracias a un amigo, quien me motivo a seguir escribiendo cuando me dijo: “el que escribe necesita sus instrumentos, conecta tu computadora.” Porque a traves de su motivacion, continue escribiendo.  Esta columna, es dedicada a la memoria de nuestra amistad y de las conversaciones de edificacion y justicia social que siempre teniamos al caminar por la calle 19 en Centre City, en Filadelfia.  La justicia social y el trabajo hacia una comunidad inclusiva y democratica es un trabajo colectivo y a la vez empienza con una decision muy personal. Mi estimado colega, fue para mi un gran maestro y una gran leccion de la vida. Al motivarme a seguir escribiendo, me ayudo a reafirmar el compromiso personal que tengo con la edificacion comunal. Algun dia, oire que el estara en estrado como juez o tal vez continua su labor de activismo comunal junto a su familia y a su comunidad. Edificando intergeneracionalmente y a traves de las barreras raciales y etnicas que todavia existen. Mi proxima meta es motivar a la biblioteca publica de Filadelfia, conocidad como “Free Library” a ir conmigo mano a mano y juntos dar a luz a una serie de dialogos de participacion civica para todos interesados en la edificacion de la comunidad progresista e inmigrante de Filadelfia. Mi tarjeta de Navidad es ese gran deseo, de entablar tertulias de participacion civica que envueltanmente se llevaran a la mesa de cada  comunidad para edificarnos y levantarnos de lo que ha sido un gran desafio: el impacto a la vida del Covid 19. Espero que la tarjeta de Navidad te motive a continuar o tal vez a empezar el trabajo tan necesario del activismo y edificacion comunal. Juntos hasta la victoria y Mas! Como es tu tarjeta de Navidad? A quien se la dedicas y por que? Un abrazo de luz para ti! ——————————————————- Note: Angelica Aquino is waiting for approval to be one of the National/White House Correspondents. Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books Business Community Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health Interviews Military & Veterans Peace People Politics EL CALOR ESTA ENCENDIDO: NUEVO LIBRO DE CUMPLIMIENTO DE LEYES CORPORATIVAS July 4, 2023/No Comments Tom Fox, es una lumina y guia para miles de abogados quienes ejercen en el area corporativa anti corrupcion y Read More A SENSIBLE HUMANE IMMIGRATION REFORM IS NEEDED NOW June 23, 2023/No Comments A SENSIBLE HUMANE IMMIGRATION REFORM IS NEEDED NOW A bipartisan sensible humane immigration reform is needed now by our nation. Read More MADRE SOLO UNA:FELICIDADES A TI MADRE! May 23, 2023/No Comments MADRE SOLO UNA:FELICIDADES A TI MADRE! A todas las madres que son nuestras lectoras especialmente a aquellas quienes con mucho Read More Load More End of Content.

TARJETA DE NAVIDAD Read More »

SIEMBRA COMO EL JIBARO SIEMBRO

Leave a Comment / Business /

SIEMBRA COMO EL JIBARO SIEMBRO December is upon us, and while colder weather and the holiday season is in full swing, it is not too late to start planting or watering seeds. It is quite common practice while scrolling through social media to see folks engage in online “challenges” for attention. Some of these challenges start off with good intentions however many are just idiotic, and I usually scroll right past them. This however did get me to thinking of a new challenge: support a local entrepreneur or business. Our people come from remarkably diverse backgrounds and experiences, and through these experiences our entrepreneurial spirit has always been strong. Unfortunately, many small businesses suffer early on before they can successfully turn profit due to the lack of support they receive from the people closest to them.  On my visit to Buffalo a few months back, I was glad to see many of “our businesses” on Niagara Street and elsewhere throughout the Puerto Rican West Side. Whether they were restaurants, small grocery stores, hair, and nail salons or even clothing shops, I am glad to see that entrepreneurial spirit live on within our people.  These seeds are not only relegated to businesses, they can also be ideas in the form of art or cultural programs. The term “starving artist” is well known in the English lexicon; however, it does not have to be. If you know an artist, share their work, buy their work and wares, and make sure you spread their art through word of mouth or social media. That exposure goes a long way, especially now with the holiday season in full swing.  Buying locally produced goods from your neighbors would mean the world to an artist struggling to get by. It will help stimulate the local economy but more importantly, help stimulate the growth of a local business owner or dreamer. The phrase “support your own” is one I have heard for years and I cannot repeat it enough. Support our people, be the cultivators of their dreams and wishes and spread their works so that others may enjoy it.  Do you know of a great hidden gem that sells amazing pinchos? Tell a friend!  Do you know a lady who crochets awesome newborn baby outfits? Share their work! The Latino Community on the West Side is so full of talented people who have either planted seeds or have some in need of being planted and supported with sunshine, fertile earth, and water.  With the holidays coming, the best gift you can give someone could very well be the support they need to continue growing their businesses or ideas.  Be the water or sunshine that helps that seedling spout. Cultivate their ideas like our ancestors worked the cane fields, machete in hand, sowing the fruits of their labor that fed their communities. This community here on the west side will only go as far as those who support one another. Siembra Como el Jíbaro Siembro. Read More From This Writer All Post Business Culture Food Government Health Interviews Lower West Side Business & Economic Development Medical Our Community Peace People Sports SIEMBRA COMO EL JIBARO SIEMBRO December 18, 2020/No Comments POST TITLE (CAPITAL) Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus Read More MY BUFFALO LOWER  WEST SIDE STORY November 18, 2020/No Comments MY BUFFALO LOWER  WEST SIDE STORY In early October I returned to my hometown of Buffalo to film interviews for Read More

SIEMBRA COMO EL JIBARO SIEMBRO Read More »

Scroll to Top