Last Updated on: May 14, 2026
This page is for people leaving incarceration, their families, and case workers looking for reentry support in Buffalo.
Buffalo has several strong reentry resources for people with criminal records. Below you will find an updated list of all reentry tools, programs and resources. You will find support with housing, employment, legal aid, education, mental health, substance use counseling, and related reentry needs and more.
Notice: For statewide help and/or other New York cities, see our full guide to Reentry Programs in New York. You may also find our Reentry Survival Guide for Felons helpful.
General Reentry Support in Buffalo, NY
Erie County Reentry Opportunity Center (The ROC)
Address: 120 West Eagle Street, Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 858-2808
Best For: Anyone transitioning home from incarceration seeking a one-stop shop for services and referrals.
What It Offers: One-stop reentry hub with on-site partner agencies providing connections to housing, employment, benefits, mental health services, education, legal support, and food assistance.
Peaceprints of WNY
Address: 1001 East Delavan Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14215
Phone: (716) 856-6131
Best For: Men and women seeking comprehensive reentry services including housing, employment, advocacy, and mentoring.
What It Offers: Comprehensive reentry services including transitional housing, in-prison and community support groups, job training referrals, youth mentoring (ages 16-21), and advocacy efforts.
Project Blue
Address: 1001 East Delavan Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14215
Phone: (716) 856-6131
Best For: Individuals currently in the Erie County Jail or recently released seeking pre- and post-release case management.
What It Offers: Comprehensive pre and post-release reentry program with intensive case management, employment workshops, housing coordination, court advocacy, and connections to treatment providers.
Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo – Reentry Services
Address: 290 Main Street, Suite 150R, Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 853-9555
Best For: Formerly incarcerated individuals needing help with record sealing, civil disabilities relief, professional license restoration, and child support issues.
What It Offers: Specialized legal assistance for reentry including record sealing applications, disability relief, professional license restoration, and referrals to employment, housing, and training partners.
2-1-1 WNY Helpline
Address: Countywide service
Phone: 2-1-1 or (888) 696-9211
Best For: Anyone seeking information and referrals to local health, human services, and basic needs resources.
What It Offers: Free, confidential information and referral service connecting people to food, housing, healthcare, employment, substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and more.
Halfway Houses and Transitional Housing in Buffalo
Stable housing is one of the biggest reentry needs in Buffalo and Erie County. Some programs provide transitional housing directly, while others connect people to shelters, sober living, supportive housing, or coordinated entry services.
For a larger housing guide, visit Felon Friendly Apartments & Housing – How to Find Housing With a Criminal Record.
Peaceprints of WNY – Bissonette House
Address: Buffalo, NY (call for specific address)
Phone: (716) 708-3487 or (716) 856-6131
Best For: Men and women leaving DOCCS facilities seeking a structured 120-day transitional residence program.
What It Offers: DOCCS-supported transitional housing with community living structure, weekly transition planning sessions, and assistance with job preparation and self-sufficiency.
Peaceprints of WNY – Cephas House Supportive Housing
Address: Buffalo, NY (call for specific address)
Phone: (716) 856-6131
Best For: Individuals under parole supervision seeking affordable, supportive permanent housing.
What It Offers: Supportive permanent housing with reduced structure, monthly check-ins, and continued transition support to help residents achieve independence.
Oxford House Trowbridge
Address: 51 Trowbridge Road, Buffalo, NY 14220
Phone: (716) 424-0191
Best For: Men in recovery from substance abuse seeking self-supporting, democratically-run sober living homes.
What It Offers: Eleven-bed male sober living home where residents share rent, utilities, household responsibilities, and hold each other accountable to sobriety and house rules.
Oxford House Willowlawn
Address: 93 Willowlawn Parkway, Buffalo, NY 14206
Phone: (716) 424-0373
Best For: Men in recovery seeking peer support and safe, structured living space away from substance abuse.
What It Offers: Ten-bed male sober living home with democratic decision-making, self-sufficiency focus, and peer accountability to maintain sobriety.
YWCA of Western New York – Transitional Housing
Address: 245 North Street, Buffalo, NY 14201
Phone: (716) 852-6120
Best For: Homeless women and mothers seeking safe, affordable housing and support services.
What It Offers: Temporary housing in Buffalo and Amherst with apartments reserved for domestic violence survivors, plus life skills classes, counseling, and job training.
Gerrard Place Transitional Shelter
Address: 2515 Bailey Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14215
Phone: (716) 897-9948
Best For: Single-parent families experiencing homelessness and poverty.
What It Offers: Supportive housing with education, employment, vocational training, life skills classes, and counseling to empower families toward independence.
Transitional Services Inc.
Address: 389 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14222
Phone: (716) 874-8182
Best For: Individuals with mental illness seeking community residence and supported housing with wraparound services.
What It Offers: Community residence programs and supported housing for people with mental health and co-occurring disorders, emphasizing independence and recovery.
Western New York Veterans Housing Coalition
Address: 1416 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14209
Phone: (716) 882-5935
Best For: Economically disadvantaged, disabled, and homeless veterans seeking low-cost transitional, temporary, or permanent housing.
What It Offers: Housing support, job development services, and a continuum of care for veterans in transition.
Housing Solutions for People With Criminal Records in Buffalo
Housing can be difficult with a felony record, especially when landlords use background checks. Do not pay application fees until you ask whether felony records are automatic denials or reviewed individually.
For more help, read Felon Friendly Apartments & Housing – How to Find Housing With a Criminal Record. You may also want to review our guide to Public Housing for Felons.
Erie County Department of Social Services
Address: 158 Pearl Street, 3rd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 858-8530
Best For: Low-income individuals seeking public benefits, housing assistance, and emergency support.
What It Offers: Emergency housing referrals through DSS, SNAP assistance, emergency financial help, and connections to supportive services.
FeedMore WNY – Food Bank
Address: 20 Lock Street, Lockport, NY 14094
Phone: (716) 822-2002
Best For: Individuals and families experiencing food insecurity across Erie and surrounding counties.
What It Offers: Food pantry assistance, SNAP application help, nutrition education, and connections to food assistance programs.
2-1-1 WNY Helpline
Address: Countywide service
Phone: 2-1-1 or (888) 696-9211
Best For: Anyone seeking housing, food, emergency assistance, and basic needs resources.
What It Offers: Free information and referrals to emergency housing, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, and basic needs assistance.
Evergreen Health
Address: Multiple locations in Buffalo and Jamestown
Phone: (716) 847-2441
Best For: Uninsured and underinsured individuals seeking primary care, mental health, and supportive housing.
What It Offers: Primary care, mental health services, pharmacy services, food pantry assistance, and limited supportive housing (Evergreen Lofts) for homeless individuals.
Emergency Food, Clothing, and Basic Needs
If you just got out of jail or prison and need food, clothing, hygiene items, emergency shelter, or benefits, start with these resources.
For more options, read Emergency Financial Help for Felons. You can also check whether you qualify for Food Stamps (SNAP) as a Felon.
Erie County Department of Social Services – SNAP
Address: 158 Pearl Street, 3rd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 858-7239
Best For: Low-income individuals and families seeking food assistance and emergency benefits.
What It Offers: SNAP/Food Stamps, expedited benefits (within 5 days for urgent need), and connections to emergency assistance programs.
Food For All SNAP Outreach – Erie County
Address: 1272 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14209
Phone: (716) 882-7705
Best For: Individuals and families who may qualify for SNAP and need in-home or direct application assistance.
What It Offers: SNAP outreach, in-home application assistance, recertification help, and facilitated enrollment for food assistance programs.
FeedMore WNY Food Bank
Address: 20 Lock Street, Lockport, NY 14094
Phone: (716) 822-2002
Best For: Individuals experiencing food insecurity seeking immediate food assistance and food pantry access.
What It Offers: Emergency food from food pantries and soup kitchens, SNAP application help, and nutrition education programs.
2-1-1 WNY Emergency Food Hotline
Address: Countywide service
Phone: 2-1-1 or (888) 696-9211
Best For: Anyone needing immediate access to food pantries, soup kitchens, and emergency food resources.
What It Offers: Real-time referrals to the nearest open food pantries, soup kitchens, and emergency food assistance.
Peaceprints of WNY Community Food Pantry
Address: 1001 East Delavan Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14215
Phone: (716) 856-6131
Best For: Community members experiencing food insecurity.
What It Offers: Free food pantry assistance and emergency food support.
Free or Low Cost Healthcare and Mental Health Help
Many people coming home from jail or prison need medication, therapy, addiction treatment, dental care, mental health care, or a primary doctor. These Buffalo resources may help. You can also read our guide to Health Insurance for Felons for more coverage options.
Evergreen Health
Address: Multiple locations in Buffalo and Jamestown
Phone: (716) 847-2441
Best For: Uninsured and underinsured individuals seeking primary care, mental health, and behavioral health services.
What It Offers: Primary care, pediatric care, mental health services, substance use counseling, HIV/Hepatitis C care, and pharmacy services on sliding fee scale.
Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) Behavioral Health
Address: 462 Grider Street, Buffalo, NY 14215
Phone: (716) 898-3415
Best For: Individuals seeking comprehensive behavioral health, mental health, substance use treatment, and psychiatric services.
What It Offers: Inpatient and outpatient mental health services, psychiatric evaluation, substance abuse treatment, detoxification, dual diagnosis programs, and 24/7 emergency psychiatry.
Community Health Center of Buffalo – Behavioral Health
Address: Multiple locations
Phone: (716) 816-1800
Best For: Low-income individuals and families seeking mental health counseling and behavioral health services.
What It Offers: Individual and group counseling, telehealth/virtual visits, flexible scheduling, and sliding fee scale based on ability to pay.
Endeavor Health Services
Address: 1526 Walden Avenue, Suite 400, Cheektowagaa, NY 14225
Phone: (716) 895-6700
Best For: Individuals seeking mental health and substance use treatment with multiple service locations.
What It Offers: Mental health services, substance use treatment, medication-assisted treatment, dual diagnosis care, and comprehensive behavioral health programs.
Catholic Charities – Monsignor Carr Clinics
Address: 76 West Humboldt Parkway, Buffalo, NY 14214
Phone: (716) 895-7718 or 1-877-448-4466
Best For: Individuals seeking psychiatric services, mental health counseling, and family services.
What It Offers: Psychiatric and social work services for children ages 5+, adolescents, and adults, with sliding scale fees and most insurance accepted.
Buffalo Psychiatric Center
Address: 400 Forest Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14213
Phone: (716) 885-3200
Best For: Individuals with serious mental illness seeking inpatient and outpatient psychiatric services.
What It Offers: Comprehensive mental health services, psychiatric treatment, crisis intervention, and recovery-oriented care.
Erie County 24-Hour Addiction Hotline
Address: Countywide hotline service
Phone: (716) 831-7007
Best For: Anyone struggling with substance abuse seeking immediate help and referral to treatment.
What It Offers: 24/7 crisis support, treatment referrals, and family support resources for substance abuse and addiction.
SAMHSA National Helpline
Address: National phone and referral service
Phone: 1-800-662-4357
Best For: Substance abuse and mental health treatment referrals nationwide
What It Offers: SAMHSA provides free, confidential referrals to local treatment providers for mental health and substance abuse needs.
Legal Help, Expungement, and Documents
Legal help can make a major difference after incarceration. People may need help clearing records, reducing charges, getting IDs, handling warrants, dealing with child support, fixing tickets, or understanding employment rights. For more on record clearing, see our Felony Expungement & Sealing Information. You may also find our guides to Background Check Laws and Seven Year Background Check States helpful.
Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo
Address: 290 Main Street, Suite 150R, Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 853-9555
Best For: Low-income individuals in Erie County seeking free legal representation and reentry services.
What It Offers: Specialized reentry legal services including record sealing, civil disabilities relief, professional license restoration, child support modification, expungement assistance, and referrals to employment and housing partners.
University of Buffalo Law School Reentry Practicum
Address: Buffalo, NY (law school clinic)
Phone: (716) 645-2110
Best For: Formerly incarcerated individuals seeking post-conviction legal assistance from law students and faculty.
What It Offers: Free legal representation through law student clinics focused on expungement, record sealing, and post-conviction relief.
Federal Reentry Court – Western District of New York
Address: Buffalo, NY federal court
Phone: (716) 551-1700
Best For: Federal defendants and reentrants seeking alternative sentencing and reentry support through specialized court.
What It Offers: Specialized reentry court services, case management, treatment connections, and judicial supervision to support successful reentry.
Employment Help for Felons in Buffalo
Employment is one of the most important reentry needs. Many of these programs specifically help people with criminal records find work.
For more help, read Jobs For Felons & Companies. You can also review our guide to Background Checks for Employment.
Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) Buffalo
Address: Buffalo, NY (contact for location)
Phone: (716) 842-1800
Best For: Individuals leaving incarceration or on probation seeking job placement and employment coaching.
What It Offers: Four-day Pathway to Employment class, job matching and placement, immediate part-time work, job coaching, and employment retention support (62% of participants reach 180-day retention).
Buffalo Employment & Training Center (BETC)
Address: 77 Goodell Street, Buffalo, NY 14203
Phone: (716) 816-3335
Best For: Job seekers including justice-involved individuals seeking free employment training and job search services.
What It Offers: Free job search assistance, career counseling, resume preparation, interview training, computer access, labor market information, and connections to training programs.
Workforce Buffalo Downtown Career Center
Address: 77 Broadway Street, Buffalo, NY 14203
Phone: (716) 816-3335
Best For: Veterans, young adults, justice-impacted individuals, and others seeking comprehensive career assistance.
What It Offers: Employment counseling, job readiness training, career planning, connections to training programs, and job placement assistance.
Buffalo Urban League – Workforce Development
Address: 15 Genesee Street, Buffalo, NY 14203
Phone: (716) 250-2444
Best For: Buffalo residents seeking workforce development, job readiness, and career advancement services.
What It Offers: Job training, career counseling, job placement assistance, youth employment programs, and connections to employers.
Catholic Charities – Education and Employment Programs
Address: 741 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14209
Phone: (716) 289-4508
Best For: Adults ages 16+ seeking high school equivalency, job training, and employment support.
What It Offers: High school equivalency instruction, employment search assistance, job training programs (including telecommunications), and college/training placement services.
Education and Job Training
People leaving incarceration often need high school equivalency (GED/TASC), vocational training, or college preparation. These Buffalo programs can help.
Buffalo Public Schools Adult Education Division
Address: Multiple locations throughout Buffalo
Phone: (716) 816-3335
Best For: Adults age 17+ seeking free high school equivalency (GED/TASC) and English as a second language instruction.
What It Offers: Free GED/TASC preparation classes, ESL instruction, computer literacy, career technical education, and college prep services at 35+ sites throughout Buffalo.
Career Collegiate Institute (CCI)
Address: 425 South Park Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14204
Phone: (716) 816-3549
Best For: Young adults ages 17-21 seeking intensive GED preparation and pathway to college or employment.
What It Offers: Intensive four-to-six week GED preparation, career and technical education exposure, college entrance prep, and career counseling.
Erie Community College – Pathways to Success
Address: 121 International Drive, Buffalo, NY 14227
Phone: (716) 851-1322
Best For: Adults needing college preparation, developmental coursework, or high school equivalency before entering ECC.
What It Offers: FREE developmental and college entry services, GED preparation, math and English courses, ESL classes, and direct pathways to ECC degree programs.
Catholic Charities – Tomorrow’s Youth Today
Address: 741 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14209
Phone: (716) 289-4508
Best For: Out-of-school or unemployed youth ages 16-24 seeking education and employment support.
What It Offers: High school equivalency preparation, tutoring, employment search assistance, college/training placement services, and case management.
The Service Collaborative
Address: Buffalo, NY
Phone: (716) 856-7746
Best For: Individuals seeking GED preparation combined with job training and support services.
What It Offers: GED Prep Program with job training, employment support services, and wrap-around assistance.
Buffalo Educational Opportunity Center (EOC)
Address: Buffalo, NY
Phone: (716) 816-3335
Best For: Adults and youth seeking college access support and educational pathways.
What It Offers: College readiness preparation, financial aid assistance, academic advising, and connections to higher education opportunities.
Substance Abuse Treatment and Addiction Services
People often struggle with substance abuse and addiction during reentry. These programs provide medication-assisted treatment, counseling, detoxification, and support.
Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) Substance Use Treatment
Address: 462 Grider Street, Buffalo, NY 14215
Phone: (716) 898-3471
Best For: Individuals seeking comprehensive substance abuse treatment including detoxification and medication-assisted treatment.
What It Offers: Detoxification, inpatient rehabilitation (20-bed program), outpatient treatment, medication-assisted treatment, and dual diagnosis services.
Horizon Health Services
Address: Multiple locations
Phone: (716) 831-1800
Best For: Individuals seeking mental health and substance abuse treatment with multiple service locations.
What It Offers: Detoxification, inpatient/residential treatment (Horizon Village), outpatient services, medication-assisted treatment, and dual diagnosis care.
BestSelf Behavioral Health / Lakeshore Behavioral Health
Address: 255 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 884-0888
Best For: Individuals seeking outpatient substance use and mental health treatment with sliding scale fees.
What It Offers: Outpatient treatment, mental health services, medication-assisted treatment, recovery coaching, and support groups.
Beacon Center
Address: 3354 Sheridan Drive, Amherst, NY 14226
Phone: (716) 831-1937
Best For: Adolescents and adults seeking outpatient substance abuse treatment without waiting lists.
What It Offers: Outpatient substance abuse services, dual diagnosis treatment, drinking driver programs, specialized groups for professionals, and immediate evaluations.
Alba De Vida/Hispanics Unidos
Address: 254 Virginia Street, Buffalo, NY 14201
Phone: (716) 768-4040
Best For: Bilingual, bicultural individuals seeking substance abuse treatment tailored to Hispanic/Latino community.
What It Offers: Bilingual group and individual counseling, medication-assisted recovery (methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone), and family services.
Endeavor Health Services
Address: 1526 Walden Avenue, Suite 400, Cheektowaga, NY 14225
Phone: (716) 895-6700
Best For: Individuals seeking innovative, evidence-based substance use and mental health treatment.
What It Offers: Mental health and substance use services, medication-assisted treatment, dual diagnosis care, and comprehensive behavioral health programs.
Cazenovia Recovery Systems
Address: 605 Fillmore Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14212
Phone: (716) 852-4331
Best For: Individuals seeking dual diagnosis treatment for substance abuse and mental health disorders.
What It Offers: Residential and outpatient treatment, medication-assisted treatment, psychiatric services, and peer support.
Veterans Affairs Western NY Healthcare System – Substance Abuse Program
Address: 3495 Bailey Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14215
Phone: (716) 862-8565
Best For: Military veterans and active duty personnel seeking substance abuse treatment and mental health services.
What It Offers: Inpatient and outpatient substance use treatment, mental health services, medication-assisted treatment, and support groups (veterans only).
Erie County 24-Hour Addiction Hotline
Address: Countywide service
Phone: (716) 831-7007
Best For: Anyone struggling with substance abuse seeking immediate help and treatment referral.
What It Offers: 24/7 crisis support, treatment provider referrals, and support for individuals and families affected by addiction.
SAMHSA National Helpline
Address: National referral line
Phone: 1-800-662-4357
Best For: People who need free, confidential referrals to local substance abuse or mental health treatment
What It Offers: SAMHSA connects callers to treatment providers, support groups, and community-based organizations nationwide.
Family, Youth, and Community Support
Reentry affects families, children, and the whole community. These organizations may help with mentoring, family support, youth programs, community connection, and advocacy.
Peaceprints of WNY – Empower Youth
Address: 1001 East Delavan Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14215
Phone: (716) 856-6131 or (716) 907-5706
Best For: Youth ages 12-18 seeking pre and post-release case management, mentoring, and support.
What It Offers: Intensive case management, mentoring, and linkage to education, workforce development, substance use treatment, and mental health services.
Buffalo Division of Youth Services
Address: City of Buffalo
Phone: (716) 851-5888
Best For: At-risk youth ages 7-20 seeking counseling, gang awareness, and violence prevention programs.
What It Offers: Individual, group, and family counseling; gang awareness workshops; violence prevention; conflict resolution; and character education.
City of Buffalo Mentoring Program
Address: Citywide
Phone: Contact City of Buffalo Parks & Recreation
Best For: Youth ages 7-17 seeking mentoring, guidance, goal-setting, and community connection.
What It Offers: Weekly mentoring, guest speakers on career planning and health, field trips, and life skills development.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo
Address: Multiple locations in Buffalo
Phone: (716) 888-5400
Best For: Youth seeking academic support, career development, leadership training, and safe community space.
What It Offers: Academic enrichment, career development programs, mentoring, youth leadership, health and wellness activities, and community engagement.
Buffalo Urban League – Family Preservation and Support
Address: 15 Genesee Street, Buffalo, NY 14203
Phone: (716) 250-2444
Best For: Families raising at-risk youth facing behavioral health, social, emotional, or mental health challenges.
What It Offers: Home-based intensive services, wraparound family support, evidence-based Homebuilders model, and community health worker services.
Other Helpful Resources
These guides may also help if you are rebuilding your life in Buffalo or Erie County:
Jobs For Felons & Companies
Best For: People looking for work with a criminal record
What It Offers: A list of companies and job types that may be more open to hiring people with felony convictions.
Felon Friendly Apartments & Housing
Best For: People who need housing after incarceration
What It Offers: Practical advice for finding apartments, asking about background checks, and locating housing options that may review applicants individually.
Emergency Financial Help for Felons
Best For: People who need immediate help with money, food, bills, or basic needs
What It Offers: Emergency assistance ideas and places to look for short-term help.
Grants for Felons
Best For: People looking for financial assistance to rebuild after incarceration
What It Offers: A guide to grants that may be available to people with felony records.
Scholarships for Felons
Best For: People with records who want to pursue education
What It Offers: A list of scholarships that may be available to formerly incarcerated people and those with criminal records.
Resources for Felons
Best For: General reentry help
What It Offers: A broader collection of resources for people with felony records.
What Makes a Good Reentry Program in Buffalo?
A good reentry program should do more than hand you a phone number. Look for programs that offer direct help, clear intake steps, realistic services, and staff who understand criminal records.
Strong reentry programs usually help with:
- Housing or housing referrals
- Job readiness and employer connections
- Substance abuse or mental health support
- Legal aid or expungement referrals
- Identification documents
- Family reunification
- Case management
- Transportation or basic needs referrals
- Long-term support, not only one appointment
Tips for Choosing a Reentry Program in Buffalo
Call before you go. Ask whether you need an appointment, ID, proof of release, probation paperwork, parole paperwork, Medicaid information, or referral documents.
Ask these questions:
- Do you work with people who have felony convictions?
- Do you help with housing, or only give referrals?
- Do you help people who are homeless right now?
- Do you help with jobs or only resume classes?
- Do you help with expungement or record clearing?
- Is there a waitlist?
- Do I need to live in Buffalo or Erie County?
- Do you accept walk-ins?
- Are services free?
- What should I bring to my first appointment?
Disclaimer
This page is for general information only. Reentry program details, eligibility rules, phone numbers, locations, funding, and services can change at any time. Always contact the program directly before visiting. Help For Felons does not guarantee that any organization will accept you, provide housing, offer financial help, remove a criminal record, or place you in a job. This information is not legal advice. Program information on this page was gathered from official program websites, county and city sources, and direct program listings. If you find outdated or incorrect information, please contact us.
