Belmont Housing Resources for WNY has received a $100,000 grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation for the Belmont Housing Resource Center, Elizabeth Huckabone, Belmont president, today (December 27, 2010) announced. Located at 1195 Main St. in Buffalo, NY, the Center serves low- to moderate-income individuals seeking better housing.

In 2009, more than 22,000 people visited the Center for one-to-one counseling, computer and telephone access, and use of educational materials developed for renters and potential homebuyers. Programs for landlords and homeownership classes also are offered. The Center includes a meeting room open to community groups such as the City of Buffalo Board of Block Clubs, Veterans Administration, Crisis Services and Legal Aid, and is used for programs such as free income tax preparation.

"This grant will allow us to expand our space, update and add computers, increase hours of operation and more than double our ability to serve our clients," Ms. Huckabone said. "In 2004, Bank of America provided the seed money that enabled us to establish the Center. We are grateful for their generous support of our organization's mission and programs."

"Countless individuals and families in Buffalo have benefitted from the services that Belmont Housing Resource Center provides," said Kevin Murphy, Buffalo market president, Bank of America. "Support of the Center from its very beginning reflects our commitment to affordable housing, especially in challenging economic times."

Belmont has been producing quality affordable housing opportunities for families, seniors and special needs individuals since 1977. Through its offices in Buffalo, Hamburg and North Tonawanda, it administers a variety of housing and community development programs for municipalities, develops and manages affordable housing, and provides home ownership counseling. Last year, Belmont's rental assistance to area landlords injected $26 million into the region's economy.

Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy

Building on a long-standing tradition of investing in the communities it serves, last year Bank of America embarked on a new, 10-year goal to donate $2 billion to nonprofit organizations engaged in improving the health and vitality of their neighborhoods. Funded by Bank of America, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation gave more than $200 million in 2009, making the bank one of the largest corporate cash donors in the United States. Bank of America approaches investing through a national strategy under which it works with local leaders to identify and meet the most pressing needs of individual communities. Reaffirming a commitment to develop and sustain a culture of service, the bank announced the "Million Hour Challenge," a pledge by the company's associates around the world to donate 1 million volunteer hours by the end of 2010. In 2009, bank associate volunteers contributed more than 800,000 hours to enhance the quality of life in their communities nationwide. For more information about Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy, please visit www.bankofamerica.com/foundation.

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