A new apartment building has opened inside an historic building on Buffalo's East Side. Evergreen Health Services cut the ribbon on Monday on its 56-unit Evergreen Lofts on Genesee Street near Michigan Avenue.
Ron Silverio, Evergreen's President and CEO, says the building offers affordable housing to people who are in danger of, or experiencing, homelessness.
Silverio says the Lofts also provide a safe option for people who may have faced housing discrimination elsewhere.
"One of the communities that has not been targeted in the past, locally, is the LGBTQ community. So we made sure that that community was aware that we were looking for them to apply, as well, and that the building would be very affirming and supportive of whatever folks were in the building," Silverio said.
The completely renovated old factory includes one-, two- and three-bedroom energy-efficient units. The $16.5 project was made possible with state historic tax credits and other government assistance.