Stuyvesant Apartments in Buffalo, NY

Pros

• One reviewer notes that a very nice man from the office explained all the details about applying and submitting the paperwork.
• BMHA is described by a reviewer as a great place to live.
• Another reviewer says the staff provided clear guidance on the application process.
• A reviewer characterizes the overall experience as good.
• A reviewer praises the helpfulness of staff during office visits.

Cons

• They are very unprofessional, leaving people on a six-month waiting list with no call or update.
• They never answer the phone, even in urgent situations.
• They lose applications and tell people to reapply, causing needless delays.
• The program is privately managed with subcontractors delivering horrible, unlivable conditions.
• They shut off hot water and plumbing for days, then blame others or fail to fix it.
• Management and subcontractors do not care as long as rent is paid.
• The properties are filthy and in unsafe, unhealthy condition.
• Vacate notices are issued within 10 days with little resolution or explanation.

Review

Stuyvesant Apartments is best suited for budget-conscious seniors or disabled adults who must rely on public housing subsidies in Buffalo and don't mind an opaque, sometimes adversarial application process. The reviews signal a neighborhood where the rent remains affordable because the property is managed under a city program, but the everyday experience hinges on the ability to press for information and tolerate irregular service. This is not a place for those seeking smooth intake, predictable maintenance, or proactive outreach; it rewards persistence, documentation, and independent problem-solving to secure and sustain a livable address.

Alternatives become appealing as soon as reliable responsiveness, clean conditions, and functioning systems become non-negotiable. Several reviewers describe unreturned calls, lost applications, and relationships with subcontracted managers that feel distant or disorganized, with water and plumbing issues left unresolved for days. Families and individuals with health concerns, urgent housing needs, or limited time to navigate red tape should weigh options elsewhere - private facilities or other subsidized avenues - where staff are expected to answer, follow up, and keep water and heat reliably on. For the seriously vulnerable, the risk calculus tips toward greener pastures.

On the upside, the most concrete pro is the housing affordability tied to BMHA oversight, which can stabilize monthly costs when income is fixed. A staff member's in-person explanation of how to apply offers a hint of the bureaucratic clarity that some residents will appreciate, and at least one reviewer labels BMHA as a great place to live. These signals matter: when a subsidized program works as intended, it can be a lifeline. Yet those positives are consistently undercut by reports of persistent maintenance failures, dirty conditions, and a management approach that often seems to prioritize rent collection over resident well-being.

Decision-making should focus on whether the operational reality will align with needs. Prospective residents should demand a current, written maintenance and response-time commitment, and seek direct lines of contact who can escalate urgent repairs and service interruptions. Verify the status of any application, understand the current wait times, and confirm who is responsible for repairs - whether it is the building management or a private contractor - and how accountability is tracked. Visit units to assess cleanliness and safety, and probe recent inspections, hot-water reliability, and the timeliness of notices or updates from management.

Critical risk factors emerge quickly from the reviews: multi-month to multi-year wait times, the possibility of being removed from the list after showing interest, and the ominous prospect of vacate notices when rent or paperwork falters. The portrayal of water shutoffs and uninhabitable conditions in some units creates a stark contrast with the expectation of a stable, safe home. The involvement of subcontractors adds another layer of variability, making consistent service a moving target. The practical effect is clear: affordability alone cannot compensate for ongoing service uncertainty and safety concerns.

Bottom-line guidance is decisive: this community serves a narrow clientele - the truly budget-dependent - who can tolerate ongoing institutional frictions in exchange for subsidized housing. If health, timely service, and predictable maintenance are priorities, explore alternatives before committing. For those who can champion their own housing journey, keep expectations calibrated, secure written commitments, and recruit a reliable advocate to monitor issues and enforce timelines. Stuyvesant Apartments may be a viable stop in Buffalo's subsidized housing map, but only with a clear plan to navigate its administrative and operational rough edges.

This part of Buffalo, New York, offers a variety of amenities that cater to the needs of seniors. With multiple pharmacies in close proximity, access to medication and healthcare services is convenient. Additionally, there are several cafes and restaurants nearby for social gatherings and dining out. For medical care, there are reputable physicians and hospitals within a short distance, providing quality healthcare options. The area also boasts beautiful parks for leisurely walks and outdoor activities. Places of worship offer spiritual support, while theaters provide entertainment options for cultural enrichment. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded living experience with essential services readily available for seniors looking to settle in a welcoming community.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.2 miles)
• Rite Aid (0.3 miles)
• Rite Aid (0.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (0.8 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.9 miles)
• Top's Markets (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.6 miles)

Cafes

• Tim Hortons (0.4 miles)
• Wegmans Food Markets (2.4 miles)
• Starbucks (3.6 miles)
• Tim Hortons (3.6 miles)
• Tim Hortons (6.3 miles)
• Tim Hortons (6.4 miles)
• Wegmans Food Markets (6.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Anchor Bar (0.4 miles)
• Betty's Restaurant (0.5 miles)
• Club Marcella (0.9 miles)
• Sidelines Sports Bar and Grill (1 miles)
• Big Ditch Brewing Company (1.1 miles)
• Jack Rabbit (1.4 miles)
• Liberty Hound (1.8 miles)

Physicians

• Ross Eye Institute (0.4 miles)
• Urban Family Practice (0.8 miles)
• The Evergreen Exchange (0.9 miles)
• Jericho Road Community Health Center (1.3 miles)
• 50 Gate Circle (1.6 miles)
• Primary Care Of WNY Primary Care Of Western New York Kenmore (3.9 miles)
• Kenmore Family Medicine (5 miles)

Hospitals

• John R Oishei Children's Hospital (0.5 miles)
• Roswell Park Cancer Institute (0.7 miles)
• Erie County Medical Center (2.7 miles)
• Mercy Hospital Operating Room (5 miles)

Parks

• Delaware Park Marcy Casino (1.4 miles)
• Wilkeson Pointe (2.3 miles)
• Beaver Island State Park (6.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Saint John Gualbert Catholic Church & Diocesan Shrine (4.3 miles)
• Queen of Angels (6.6 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Walden Galleria 4Dx & RPX (5.8 miles)
• AMC Maple Ridge 8 (7.2 miles)