Development partners People Inc. President and CEO Anne McCaffrey and Mt. Olive Baptist Church Pastor Dwayne Gillison welcomed Buffalo Mayor Christopher Scanlon, Governor Hochul's Regional Director Bonnie Lockwood, New York State Housing and Community Renewal Assistant Commissioner Leonard Skrill, New York State Senator April Baskin, and several other dignitaries and community partners in celebrating the grand opening of the $27 million project.

Co-owned and co-developed by the Mt. Olive Development Corporation and People Inc., Mt. Olive Senior Manor is a three-story affordable senior housing development on the south end of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church property at 227 Sheridan Avenue in Buffalo, New York.

“The partnership between Mt. Olive Development Corporation and People Inc. stands as a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration and shared purpose—and this project is a shining example of that success. We are proud of what has been accomplished, and grateful for Pastor Gillison’s unwavering commitment to this mission,” said McCaffrey.

The project was first envisioned by the late Rev. Dr. William Gillison Jr., the beloved founding pastor of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, who recognized a need for safe, affordable senior housing in the area and then worked tirelessly to make his dream become a reality.  People Inc. was selected by Mt. Olive Development Corporation following an extensive RFP process to serve as its development partner.

“Nearly three decades ago Pastor (William) Gillison recognize the profound need for a community for safe and affordable housing for our seniors,” said Dwayne Gillison. “This is about honoring our seniors and that they can remain in the community they helped build.”

With 65 total 1- and 2-bedroom apartments, the development includes several Supported Apartments, with 20 apartments set aside for frail elderly tenants with housing instability, eight apartments for people with mobility disabilities, and three apartments for people with vision or hearing challenges. The building features a number of amenities, including a community room with a kitchen, on-site laundry facilities, 24-hour, on call emergency services, central air conditioning, and more.

The head of household must be 55 years or older and in-come eligible or 55 years or older and identified as frail elderly/with housing instability or on an affordable housing wait list. Eight units are for those 62 years or older.

Funding for the project comes from several sources, including NYS Homes and Community Renewal, the City of Buffalo/BURA, Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Brownfield Tax Credits, Homeless Housing Assistance Program, NYS Energy Research and Development Authority, and Federal Home Loan Bank. The project could also not have been completed without its partners: Silvestri Architects, PC, Creative Structures Services, Inc., M&T Bank, Red Stone Equity Partners, Roux Inc., and Oxford Consulting Inc.

Additional speakers at the June 3 event included Robert Mootry, chair of the Mt. Olive Development Corporation, Pastor Dennis Lee of Mount Olive Baptist Church, Antonia Gillison, wife of the late Pastor William Gillison, and Damon Billingsley, Mt Olive Senior Manor tenant.

“To be a tenant in the building is wonderful. Cheaper rent, no gas bill, and we have central air,” said Billingsley. “We are definitely looking forward to being here. We want to be a part of the community and help the community.”