Temporary Relief Order Extended for Sylvia’s House by Neighborhood Legal Services 06/30/25 Buffalo, NY – On June 27, 2025, New York State Supreme Court Justice Dennis E. Ward extended the Court’s temporary restraining order preventing Code Blue provider Sylvia’s House from being displaced by the City of Buffalo Department of Permits and Inspection Services until July 16, 2025. In so doing, the Court cited the need for additional time to review the parties’ legal arguments and for shelter residents to find alternative housing. The Erie County Department of Social Services is assisting Sylvia’s House with identifying alternative shelter for its remaining 59 residents. Judge Ward ruled that the City of Buffalo Department of Permits and Inspection Services will be able to enforce its order to cease operations against Sylvia’s House following the July 16th temporary restraining order extension. “We are pleased with the outcome of the hearing for our clients,” said Todd Schiffmacher, Neighborhood Legal Services Housing Unit Supervising Attorney. “It is unreasonable and impractical for Sylvia’s House residents to be forced to move with only 24-hours’ notice. Having a bit more time from the Court will allow Sylvia’s House staff to try to find new placements for the residents. Given the lack of available local shelters and affordable housing, and with the residents’ special needs, this will be a daunting task.” On June 23, 2025, Neighborhood Legal Services obtained emergency relief to prevent the 65 residents of Code Blue provider Sylvia’s House from being displaced by the City of Buffalo Department of Permits and Inspection Services. Neighborhood Legal Services filed suit against the city of Buffalo on behalf of Sylvia’s House and a resident of the shelter in response to the city’s 24-hour notice to cease all operations by Sylvia’s House at its current location, 1947 Bailey Avenue, served without warning on the federal Juneteenth holiday last week. On Monday, June 23, 2025, New York State Supreme Court Justice Michael A. Siragusa issued a temporary restraining order to halt the city’s closure of Sylvia’s House. Neighborhood Legal Services Housing Unit Supervising Attorney, Todd Schiffmacher, said Erie County funds this Code Blue expansion and recently received an additional $700,000 to continue the program into the summer. Sylvia’s House, a nonprofit organization, was selected by Erie County, through a competitive RFP process, to run Code Blue for the 2024 – 2025 season. Code Blue has been in operation for over 15 years and the Western New York Coalition for the Homeless was founded in 1980. ###### About Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc. – Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc. is a nonprofit public interest law firm, founded in 1976, to provide free legal representation for western New York residents who face financial vulnerability, disability, discrimination, or abuse. Its offices serve Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming counties.