BUFFALO, NY – On October 23, 2026, SWBR joined The Salvation Army of Buffalo, project partners, elected officials, and community members to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of the first phase of Hope on Main, a major redevelopment effort that will expand access to shelter, affordable housing, and community services in the heart of Buffalo.
Hope on Main was developed in response to growing housing needs across the region. More than half of Buffalo households spend over 30% of their income on housing, underscoring the need for additional affordable and supportive options within walking distance of jobs, healthcare, transit, and neighborhood resources. Resident input helped shape the vision through a series of engagement sessions that identified shared priorities and opportunities for long-term investment in the surrounding area.
Spanning three acres and approximately 215K SF, Hope on Main will transform a prominent city block and strengthen the connection between Buffalo’s Medical Campus and the surrounding Allentown neighborhood.
The newly completed first phase includes an 80-bed emergency family shelter that will replace the organization’s previous aging facility. Construction was carefully phased to ensure families remained housed and services continued uninterrupted throughout the project. The new shelter provides communal dining and gathering spaces, dedicated activity areas for children and teens, and office space for the Salvation Army’s support services.
The next phase will add 143 affordable apartments, 17 townhomes, and shared amenities. It will also expand The Salvation Army of Buffalo’s community presence with offices, program space, and a food pantry designed to serve both residents and the broader neighborhood.
Superseding the typical road-to-building sequence, a generous plaza will position Main Street as an open civic stage. Framed by preserved brick and modern accents, its transparent two-story venue will become an inviting “porch” for gatherings.
“The completion of the new family shelter marks an important milestone in a larger vision for Hope on Main and will have an immediate impact in the lives of residents who will call this building home,” said SWBR Architect Jim Vekasy, who served as Project Manager. “From the beginning, this project was shaped around creating a sense of community and a dignified environment to support families. It’s rewarding to see this first phase come to life with the promise of more to come.”
Pictured: members of the SWBR project team, including Jason Burkhartzmeyer; Kirsten Kelleher; Joe Gibbons; Jim Vekasy; and Kenzie DeLong.
Serving as Architect of Record, SWBR partnered with the ARC Building Partners (Construction Manager) to design and deliver the $18M project, with the shelter officially opening its doors in October of 2026.