Anne McCaffrey, president and CEO of People Inc., RuthAnne Visnauskas, commissioner of New York State Home & Community Renewal, Willow Baer, commissioner of the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), Jeremy Zellner, New York state senator, and Angela Marinucci, Town of Amherst deputy supervisor, spoke at the April 9 ribbon cutting ceremony about the importance of affordable housing in the community.

“The Blocher Apartments represents a transformative investment in both people and community. By thoughtfully integrating inclusive design, supportive services and proximity to local amenities, the Blocher campus creates real opportunity for residents to live independently and thrive,” said McCaffrey. “Enhancing communities through innovation and supportive services is at the heart of the People Inc. mission, and we are proud to help meet this important need.”

Located on Evans St. in Williamsville, N.Y., the $42.6 million project includes 93 apartments for income-eligible residents, with 23 units specifically set aside to support individuals with disabilities. There are also ten units to accommodate residents with mobility disabilities and five units to accommodate residents with sensory disabilities.  

The community offers a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments in a walkable neighborhood near Main Street in Williamsville, providing residents with convenient access to shops, services and public amenities such as a playground, central air conditioning and activity and community rooms.

Gay Meyers, a Blocher Apartment resident who also attends the Arts Experience program at People Inc., spoke at the event about how her new apartment truly feels like home.

“This is what I love about my apartment:  I look out on Evans Street. I am very lucky because I have a porch. I have a hall closet. I’ve never had a hall closet before. I had to put my coat on a chair,” said Meyers.

Blocher Apartments reflects a collaborative effort between funders and partners New York State Homes and Community Renewal, Low Income Housing Tax Credits & State Low Income Housing Tax Credits, OPWDD, the Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable Housing Program, the Town of Amherst HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan, NBT Bank, Raymond James and Webster Bank.

For nearly 30 years, People Inc. has been recognized for its leadership in the development of affordable housing and the delivery of services to residents, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the frail and elderly, and those at risk of homelessness. Today, People Inc. owns or manages more than 30 affordable housing properties, which includes 1,300 units across Western New York. Learn more here.

Scroll through a photo gallery of the ribbon cutting event!