What we do

The City of Buffalo has a unique challenge. The once bustling city that boasted a population of over 500,000 people in 1950, now struggles with the issue of urban abandonment. With a declining population of less than 290,000, Buffalo is faced with the burden of thousands of unwanted structures and a city footprint that far exceeds its current needs. It is estimated that 23,000 housing units stand vacant in the city and an additional 16,000 vacant units in the region. The City has ambitious plans to demolish 1,000 structures a year for the next ten years at a cost to taxpayers of over $170 million.

Buffalo ReUse (BR) is an incorporated not-for-profit organization with the State of New York. BR was established in 2006 to develop deconstruction as a competitive alternative to the demolition of abandoned housing stock. Deconstruction is the disassembly of a building in the opposite order that it was originally constructed, as a strategy for removing unwanted structures, salvaging usable materials, and preserving elements of Buffalo’s unique architectural heritage.

In the United States there are 2.4 million 16 to 24 year-old low-income youth out of school and out of work. Often labeled disconnected youth, this population is at risk of long-term dependency, unemployment, homelessness or other serious problems. Lack of access to education and technical training is a significant barrier preventing youth from developing the skills and knowledge necessary to live independently and access quality job opportunities.

It is our vision to develop deconstruction in the City of Buffalo and use it as a vehicle for training and empowering youth to become leaders, entrepreneurs, and contributing members of the community.