Lawmakers Seek Funding to Address Neighborhood Blight BUFFALO (wned) - Buffalo's large number of abandoned properties led to a visit by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan on Friday. His tour of the city's blighted neighborhoods was led by Senator Charles Schumer and Congressman Brian Higgins.

The lawmakers are sponsoring legislation that would provide funding to rehab vacant homes. Donovan says HUD can provide more than just money. He says the federal government can also provide planning.

"Too often we look to the federal government just as a regulator, not as a partner," said Donovan.

Donovan says flexibility would prevent HUD from taking a "one size fits all" approach to vacant housing in cities with different issues.

The legislation that would establish a $300 million program to address vacant housing. Schumer says the program would provide the resources, but not tell cities how to spend it.

"A program that's good for Phoenix might not be good for Buffalo," Schumer said. "A program that's good for the East Side might not be good for the West Side. And so we need flexibility."

Schumer and Higgins are looking to Donovan to encourage President Obama to support their bill. Schumer says the goal is to have the legislation approved by the end of the year.

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