January 2024

Ona-Java Soul Café to Open in Southside

Landmark Building

After many proposals and presentations to the SMNC Board of Directors and HHQ staff, a winning finalist was finally chosen to occupy the first floor of the iconic building at the corner of Kennedy Avenue and South Salina Street. Reggie Pickard, a lifelong Syracuse resident, offered the winning proposal resurrecting a Syracuse favorite: Ona-Java Soul Cafe. Reggie owned and operated Ona-Java both as a stand-alone establishment on Syracuse's Southwest side and as a coffee shop at the VA Hospital. He also grew up in the business, helping his family manage entertainment at the Pan American Village at the NYS Fair, and helping his mom who owned a restaurant on South Salina Street in the early 1990s called Nellie & Jean’s.

Reggie, who lives just four blocks from the 1555 South Salina location, plans to open the coffee shop and neighborhood gathering place with lots of family help at some point in May. Watch for updates on plans, construction and signs, coming soon!

"I want this jewel of a building to reflect family and everything that is great about the city’s Southside."

Are you Ready to be a Homeowner?

Image of HHQ's 2024 HomeBuyer Education Course Schedule

Buying a home, especially in the current market, will probably be one of the biggest investments you will make in your lifetime. It makes sense then to talk to the experts, and by experts, we mean HHQ's HUD-certified housing counselors. Sign up for the 8-hour HomeBuyer Education Course and put yourself in the best possible position to purchase now or in the near future. HHQ's Course Certificate is required for most First-Time Homebuyer Programs including the HomeBuyer Dream Program. Learn more about Home HeadQuarters' HomeBuyer Classes on our website.

Quick Links

HHQ Calendar for Classes, Events, Etc.

HHQ Home Repair Loans & Grants

Syracus e Financial Empowerment Center

HHQ Rental Property Loans & Grants

Bringing the Heat in Buffalo

photo of Mr. Floyd in front of his house in Buffalo

Charles Floyd remembers when the heat finally went out for the last time in his childhood home in Buffalo's MLK Park Neighborhood. The city at Christmastime 2022, was being buffeted by one of the worst blizzards on record. The old heating system, coupled with grid issues from the storm, could not keep up.

Charles sat out the storm with no heat, but reached out after to see if the State's Disaster Relief Program could help him to get his heat back up and running. For whatever reason, Charles couldn't take advantage of the State's program, so he turned to some local "handymen" to fix the problem. After multiple failed inspections by the utility company and lost money, Charles turned to propane space heaters to make it through the rest of the winter.

When last winter turned into this winter, Charles again started to look for help. After calling 211, he was directed to HHQ's Buffalo Office. Within a week, staff closed on a 50/50 Loan/Grant and a local contractor was dispatched (Thank you to Roy's Plumbing, Heating & Cooling!). Because the heat was out for so long, gas lines had begun to corrode and Charles' chimney liner collapsed--the repair was much larger than anticipated.

This past Christmas, Charles Floyd once again had heat in his home and a new, high-efficiency venting boiler and hot water tank that should keep him warm for many holidays to come.

"HHQ came through when I need them the most," said Charles. "I don't have thousands and thousands of dollars. This is a blessing."

Visit our website at www.homehq.org/buffalo for a listing of all our programs available in Western New York.

Get Your Home Floodproofed & Climate-Ready

The NYS Resilient Retrofits Program provides up to $50,000 in a 50/50 loan/grant to homeowners throughout the state to floodproof and make energy improvements to their homes. There is no minimum credit score to participate in this program! Click on the QR code to see if you are eligible to apply!

flyer with photo of flooded basement and QR code for program info

All the Energy Bells & Whistles - For Sale!

The second home in Home HeadQuarters Green Corners Project on Syracuse's Westside is ready for a new homeowner! The high energy efficiency, 3-bedroom, 1.5 bath, home, should produce as much energy as the home requires. Buyer must meet income eligibility and be a first-time homebuyer. If interested in learning more, contact Mary Jo at (315) 474-1939 or at info@homehq.org.

Thank You Mother Cabrini Health Foundation

HHQ is proud to once again be selected as a grant recipient from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation for 2024. Founded to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable New Yorkers, the Foundation has made more than $800 million in grants across NYS in its first four years of operation. As HHQ did with previous awards, we’ll be using the funding to correct health hazards in homes that we rehab for sale to low-income buyers. Health hazards in the home are tied to a variety of poor health outcomes, including lead poisoning and asthma, and these hazards are especially prevalent in upstate New York due to the aging housing stock. HHQ has been a regional leader in expanding the accessibility of housing that is affordable, safe, and healthy in Central New York for more than two decades. Funding from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation is a critical tool in our safe and affordable housing efforts. Our sincere thank you to the Foundation for continuing to support our work in Central New York.