Rebuilding Community through Owner Occupancy
For the city to prosper, Buffalo needs property owners to invest in the improvement of their properties. Yet hundreds of properties across the city are owned and rented out by a small number of landlords, many of who live out of state. These landlords have little connection to the city or to the properties they are expected to upkeep and maintain. Codes are violated, heating and plumbing deteriorates, and properties that are vacant only collect garbage and breed crime. For many absentee landlords, these properties are strictly a source of income and are not viewed as an integral part of a functioning community.

Addressing Buffalo's Housing Situation:
The Nickel City Solution
The Nickel City Housing Corporation was formed by a group who saw how absent owners had affected their own communities and took the initiative to create an alternative. Following the examples that exist in many Midwest cities, these individuals developed a model of affordable home ownership that allows for the participation of multiple owners. In this model, a nonprofit corporation holds the title to the property; in turn the members who reside at the property control the corporation.

Mission
Ultimately the goal of the Nickel City Housing Corporation is to spur community growth and to create a unique and affordable home ownership model within the city of Buffalo. Although Ol' Wondermoth and Plankton are still intact as they were originally designed in the 1880's, parts of the houses have fallen into disrepair as a result of being vacant for a number of years. An immediate goal of Nickel City is to do a proper restoration of the properties with a focus on retaining the original design.

The organization of the houses will function similar to a single family dwelling, with shared common space and kitchen. Ol' Wondermoth is expected to have fourteen residents and Plankton eleven. All of the residents will share the responsibilities necessary to operate a house. The expenses and responsibilities of home ownership are distributed equally among members. The corporation hopes to create a situation where everyone that lives in the house will have a sense of pride and desire to renovate, restore and maintain the property.

Vision
Nickel City Housing's vision is to create a living situation that is rewarding and inspiring. The foundation that has been laid down to create the corporation will hopefully be inspiration for others to do the same. Nickel City Housing Corp intends to play a prominent role in Buffalo's communities, especially Allentown, and wishes to be seen as a viable and refreshing alternative to the current housing situation in Buffalo. Ultimately, Nickel City hopes to purchase more properties, renovate them, and thereby create more owner-occupied dwellings.