In the 1980s, Canisius College was criticized for buying up homes in the Hamlin Park neighborhood to use for student housing.

Homeowners complained then that the move caused traffic and parking problems and had a destabilizing effect on the historic neighborhood.

On Tuesday, college officials reversed course, announcing they were teaming up with a local nonprofit organization to renovate eight Canisius-owned homes and then sell them to owner-occupants.

“Homeowners are the key ingredient to maintaining vital and vibrant neighborhoods in Buffalo,” said John J. Hurley, Canisius president.

The homes on Glendale Avenue and Humboldt Parkway were no longer being used for student housing since the college built new residential facilities.

Hurley acknowledged during an interview that placing students in scattered houses wasn’t an ideal scenario.

“It provides us with a big logistical challenge in keeping track of students,” he said.

The college is partnering with Belmont Housing Resources of Western New York, which will oversee renovation and sale of the properties.

“We’re essentially giving them back to the community,” Hurley said.

To discourage landlord investors, only buyers who agree to live in the homes for at least 15 years will be considered.

Work will begin within a few weeks on the first two properties—17 Glendale Ave. and 231 Humboldt Parkway.

Canisius plans to use the sale proceeds to renovate other properties in the future. All of the homes are expected to be sold within a year or two.

The properties are structurally sound and will not require complete gutting, said Michael D. Riegel, Belmont’s vice president for housing development.

Hamlin Park residents said they were encouraged by the prospect of more houses becoming owner-occupied.

“They bring the life back,” said Stephanie Barber, president of the Hamlin Park Community and Taxpayers Association. “There’s nothing better than having a person who owns the house living there.”

jtokasz@buffnews.comnull