Senior Living Apartments in Buffalo, NY

As senior apartment communities don’t offer skilled nursing care or other medical care, public assistance is rather limited to offset the cost. Residents often use personal funds to cover their monthly rent and associated fees when living in senior apartments.

However, seniors and their families should explore all their options. Assistance may still be available, especially if a senior were to require medically necessary in-home care or meet certain income levels. Below, you’ll find additional details on a variety of payment methods, including Medicaid, Medicare, VA benefits, public assistance, and private funds.

The Erie County Department of Senior Services classifies senior apartment communities as a form of independent living, which generally means residents will be 55 and older and do not require assistance in their daily activities but may benefit from a senior-friendly environment with more convenient services and social opportunities. This classification, however, doesn’t require senior apartments to obtain a license to own and operate such a community.

Being a rental property, senior apartment communities are subject to the same federal, state, and local housing laws as any other apartment community. That means all senior apartment communities must remain compliant with the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disability Act (ADA). Senior apartments are also covered under the HUD Housing Choice Voucher program. HUD vouchers are eligible for low-income seniors and can be used on housing that meets HUD standards. Please check with the landlord or property manager of the senior apartment community to see if they accept HUD vouchers.

Inspections

Much like all apartment communities, senior apartments are subject to regular inspections by the Department of Permits and Inspections – after which they will receive a Certificate of Rental Compliance. If a rental property fails to meet the standards for the certificate, the property will no longer be able to operate as an income property. This, however, doesn’t mean tenants would then be evicted. Property owners will have an opportunity to bring the property up to code.

The City of Buffalo’s Permit and Inspections Data Resources site provides links to online data around inspections and violations. This open data guide explains how to find what you are looking for and navigate the site. If you need help, reach out to the office for more information.

Additional resources

If you’d like to learn more about tenant’s rights, please feel free to review any one of the guides below:

• New York State Residential Tenant’s Rights Guide
• Warrant of Habitability FAQs
• Know Your Rights: Fair Housing Laws

New York Department of Health contact information

New York State Department of Health
Corning Tower, Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12237
Phone: 866-881-2809
Email:dohweb@health.ny.gov
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:45 p.m

COVID-19 regulations for Buffalo senior apartments communities

Senior apartment communities have no specific COVID-19 mandates in New York. However, the Erie County Department of Health recommends that property owners and residents follow CDC guidelines and safety measures. Some senior apartment communities may choose to have their own rules to prevent the spread of COVID.

Most senior apartment buildings in Buffalo are multi-story buildings that sit right alongside city streets and sidewalks. These city apartments provide easy access to public transportation, medical buildings, as well as neighborhood bars, restaurants, and coffee shops within walking distance.  Small dogs and cats are usually allowed.

No-frills apartments in convenient locations

Senior apartments in Buffalo are generally historic buildings that have been renovated. There are onsite laundry facilities as well as onsite maintenance. Most apartments provide between 500 and 700 square feet depending on the choice of studio, one- or two-bedroom options. While balconies aren’t a common feature, it’s not impossible to find.

Senior-friendly features

Buffalo senior apartments feature elevators and wheelchair accessibility for the most part. The apartments have been designed with senior-friendly features that enable both independence and accessibility, such as grab bars and roll-in showers.

Health care for seniors in Buffalo

Buffalo has a number of health care options for the senior population, many of which specialize in services geared toward aging individuals. Refer to the listing below for further information:

Transportation for seniors in Buffalo

One of the things they say about Buffalo is that you can get almost anywhere in 20 minutes, and much of it will be by car. Though the city does have a public transit system that consists of one rail line and a fleet of buses, most people find it more convenient to get around by car – that, or by bike.

The area is considered bikeable, earning a bike score rating of 63. Transportation scores, such as a bike score, are given out of a total of 100 and are based on other U.S. cities and neighborhoods. A score of 63 indicates that most areas of the city can be traversed by bike, but it may be too far or too cumbersome to travel to some locations by bike.

However, this doesn’t mean you can’t get around by foot as well. The city’s walk score is 67 out of 100, making the area somewhat walkable. If you live in the neighborhoods of Allen, Grant Ferry, the Central Business District, Bryant, or Front Park, the walkability jumps to anywhere from 85 to 94. This means that driving and walking from there will likely be the best method of transportation. Many Buffalo residents can walk to an average of two restaurants, bars, or coffee shops in no more than 5 minutes.

Seniors looking for a reliable means of getting around can turn to Going Places Transportation System, which is a senior-specific, curb-to-curb van service. All you need to do is schedule health-related trips two weeks ahead of your appointment and non-medical trips one week ahead of the day needed. The city also provides a paratransit service that is called PAL Direct.

Senior activities in Buffalo

If you’re not from the area, you may not yet know that Buffalo is home to a number of truly stunning parks. In fact, the city’s entire park system was designed by the renowned landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted. Delaware Park in particular was named one of the top 10 parks in the world, with walking paths, a carriage drive, picturesque lake, and plenty of green space to enjoy. Also available is a self-guided audio tour of the park, highlighting all the various points of interest.

Buffalo is also home to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House, which has long been considered one of Wright’s finest residential works. Tours are available, but the schedule does change throughout the year. It’s best to check the website prior to a visit. Other historic places of note are the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Historic Site, with its interactive exhibits and historically restored rooms;  Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park, with its four decommissioned Naval vessels; and, of course, Niagara Falls State Park, which, besides the scenery, offers interactive exhibits, hiking trails, and other attractions.

Those looking for an experience in culture and art can find it at the Shea’s Performing Arts Center, which has three theaters that offer an array of different performing arts. You can even catch a touring Broadway show or two. If you hit a matinee, you can make a day of it and head over to the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, which is said to be a living museum with several indoor, interconnected greenhouses on the property.

If you want to press your luck, head out to the Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino. The casino offers more than just slot machines, there are dining options and even a beautiful golf course. If sports interest you, put on some blue and white and go root on the University of Buffalo Bulls.

Seniors with the social bug can always visit one of the many community and senior centers in the Buffalo area. One such community is the  South Buffalo Community Association which provides both arts and physical activities available as well as nutrition programs. Programming varies from one center to the next, but you can choose to take part in exercise classes, music activities, arts and crafts, computer classes, and pickleball. The Erie County Department of Senior Services also regularly schedules activities for the senior population, which could include visiting local attractions, gardening, crafts, and even cars. No matter the interest, there’s something available for you to do.