Howe, Buffalo, NY

Howe Neighborhood Overview

Overview

Located on Buffalo's vibrant East Side, the Howe neighborhood is a historic and resilient community defined by its strong sense of identity and architectural heritage. Bordered by Main Street to the west, Jefferson Avenue to the east, Ferry Street to the south, and North Street to the north, it sits just east of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus and downtown core. The neighborhood's name derives from the historic Howe Theater on Clinton Street, a landmark that symbolizes the area's rich past as a bustling commercial and residential hub for Buffalo's African American community throughout much of the 20th century.

Howe's history is deeply intertwined with the Great Migration, as it became a primary destination for Black families seeking opportunity in the North. This legacy is preserved in its streetscapes and community institutions. While the latter half of the 20th century brought significant challenges, including disinvestment and population decline, the 21st century has seen a wave of revitalization efforts. Today, Howe is a neighborhood in transition, balancing its profound historical significance with new energy from community developers, non-profits, and residents committed to its future.

Housing & Real Estate

Howe's housing stock is predominantly composed of classic Buffalo one-and-a-half and two-story wood-frame houses, many featuring attractive front porches and detailed Craftsman or Victorian-era millwork. These homes, built closely together on tree-lined streets, represent a mix of single-family and multi-unit dwellings. A significant portion of the neighborhood's historic fabric is also made up of larger, stately brick homes along wider avenues like Michigan and William Street, which speak to the area's former prosperity.

The real estate market in Howe is among the most affordable in the city, with home prices significantly below the Buffalo median. This has attracted first-time homebuyers, investors, and community-focused developers. Recent trends show a concerted push towards rehabilitation over demolition, led by organizations like the Buffalo Erie Niagara Land Improvement Corporation (BENLIC) and Heart of the City Neighborhoods. The mix is shifting, with an increase in owner-occupied renovations alongside long-term rental properties, aiming to stabilize the community and rebuild equity for residents.

Schools & Education

Howe is served by the Buffalo Public Schools district. The neighborhood is home to several school buildings that play central roles in the community, including BUILD Academy, a Pre-K through 8th-grade school located on Fougeron Street. The quality of schools in the district varies, and many families explore the city's school choice lottery system for options. Higher education institutions are close at hand, with the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus and the University at Buffalo's downtown campus just a short walk or drive to the west.

Beyond traditional public schools, community-based educational programs are vital. The Massachusetts Avenue Project (MAP), located on the neighborhood's western edge, operates a nationally recognized urban farm and youth development program that provides hands-on education in food systems, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. These place-based initiatives are crucial assets, offering practical learning and skill-building opportunities for Howe's youth and reinforcing the neighborhood's focus on grassroots growth and self-sufficiency.

Parks & Recreation

Howe's primary green space is the expansive Masten Park, a multi-faceted recreational complex at the neighborhood's southern border. The park is home to the Johnnie B. Wiley Amateur Athletic Sports Pavilion, a major venue for track and field, football, and community events. This facility provides critical recreational programming for residents of all ages. Additionally, Masten Park features swimming pools, basketball courts, and open fields, making it a central hub for outdoor activity and organized sports on the East Side.

Smaller pocket parks and community gardens are increasingly important for neighborhood cohesion and access to green space. The Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor, which runs along the neighborhood's western edge, is not a park in the traditional sense but serves as an outdoor cultural and historical recreational pathway, connecting significant sites. The ongoing efforts of groups like MAP also contribute to recreational green space through their urban farm, which serves as both a food source and a community gathering point.

Local Dining & Shopping

Howe's commercial life is centered along its main thoroughfares, particularly Jefferson Avenue and Michigan Avenue. These corridors feature a mix of longstanding community institutions and new entrepreneurial ventures. Dining options include classic soul food restaurants and carry-outs, such as the renowned Sweet_ness 7 Cafe's location on Jefferson, which serves as a community anchor. The neighborhood is also home to essential services like barbershops, beauty salons, and churches that function as social and commercial centers.

For grocery shopping, residents have access to a Tops Friendly Markets on Jefferson Avenue, a vital full-service supermarket for the area. The Massachusetts Avenue Project's Farmstand & Market provides a crucial source of fresh, locally grown produce. While the retail landscape has faced challenges, there is a growing movement of small, locally-owned businesses focused on serving the immediate community. The redevelopment of the historic Michigan Street Baptist Church and the nearby Nash House Museum also draws cultural tourism, supporting local economic activity.

Who Lives Here

Howe is a historically African American neighborhood with a deep-rooted population of multi-generational families who have called the area home for decades. This core community is characterized by strong social bonds, church affiliations, and a powerful sense of shared history and resilience. Residents often have deep personal and familial connections to the neighborhood's landmarks and its role in Buffalo's civil rights and cultural history.

Today, the demographic is expanding to include a new wave of residents drawn by the affordable housing stock and the

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