New York State Governor Kathy Hochul and several other elected officials and community partners joined People Inc. President and CEO Anne McCaffrey today in celebrating the opening of People Inc. Folwell Senior Apartments, a $15.3 million conversion of the former Women and Children’s Hospital building into affordable house for seniors. 

The People Inc. development, at 140 Hodge Ave., Buffalo, includes 44 affordable and supportive apartments for qualifying residents aged 62 and over and is part of the Elmwood Crossing project in the historic Elmwood Village neighborhood. The complex includes seven units for seniors in need of supportive services to live independently.

“Folwell Apartments will provide safe, stable homes for seniors while breathing new life into Buffalo’s Elmwood Village neighborhood," Governor Hochul said. Hochul's comprehensive Housing Plan for New York includes creating approximately 100,000 new or repurposed affordable homes across the state.

“Today we celebrate another step in the right direction in expanding access to affordable housing for seniors in the City of Buffalo,” McCaffrey said. “It has been well-documented that our region is in need of additional affordable housing options, especially for some of our most vulnerable citizens.” 

Folwell is People Inc.’s seventh affordable housing initiative using Low Income Housing Tax Credits, including 413 new housing units in Western New York. “The housing we have created is life-changing for many of our residents who have been moving in over recent weeks,” said McCaffrey.  

New Folwell resident Michael Cureton agreed his life has changed, telling the audience, “I love my apartment,” he said. “From Day 1, people here have been just fantastic.

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown thanked Governor Hochul and other partners in the project and mentioned the city’s longstanding relationship with People Inc. “I’m honored to continue our collaboration and to see yet another affordable housing initiative flourish,” Mayor Brown said. 

Approximately 30 of the 44 apartments are currently occupied. 

For more information about Folwell Senior Apartments, click here.