Building Better Services for New Americans | Buffalo in Transition

Regine Ndanga — Jun 6, 2025

Buffalo has a longstanding tradition of welcoming immigrants and refugees, whose contributions have fueled the City’s economic growth, population increase, and cultural vitality. But persistent obstacles, especially in language access, prevent many from fully engaging in civic life.  This brief calls for a comprehensive language access law, renewed investment in the City’s Office of New Americans, and steps toward achieving Certified Welcoming status to ensure Buffalo remains a …

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How To Better Welcome Refugees and Secondary Migrants

Laila Rahbari — Sep 7, 2022

This report examines assets, challenges, and potential recommendations for supports for refugees and migrants in Buffalo. 

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Census 2020: Making Western New York Count

Anna Blatto — Jun 10, 2019

This policy brief offers an overview of the 2020 Census: what it is and why it matters for Western New York.

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Urban Expressway Removal in Buffalo: The Historical Context

Daniel Cadzow — Mar 30, 2018

This policy brief was drafted by Daniel Cadzow, Policy Fellow at PPG and an advocate for environmental justice and equitable traffic infrastructure.  

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Advancing Racial Equity and Public Health: Smarter Marijuana Laws in Western New York

Andrea Ó Súilleabháin — Nov 14, 2017

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Buffalo Niagara - How Are We Really Doing

Lawrence Brooks — Jan 20, 2016

There has been a lot of good news lately in Buffalo: Harbor Center and Canalside, RiverBend and Solar City, the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus expansion, new hotels and restaurants, even an uptick in employment and population.  But most of this good news is economic, and there is much more to our region than just economic activity.  These positive developments have prompted reactions such as “rebirth” and “resurgence.”  But perspectives on Buffalo vary …

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