Business and Housing Development

 Frisch Headshot (2020)
Erik L. Frisch,
Deputy Commissioner

Welcome 

Welcome to the Bureau of Business and Housing Development (BHD). We have four main divisions that work together with our Administrative unit to achieve our goals: Business Development, Housing, Real Estate, and Credit Underwriting. 

BHD is involved in many activities that directly benefit the quality of life, health, and well-being of our city. These activities include:

  • Recruiting, retaining, and growing new and existing businesses.         
  • Reaching out to local, regional and national retailers to attract new goods and services.
  • Working with developers to create new units of affordable rental and owner-occupied housing.
  • Partnering with community service agencies to assist homeless and special needs populations with housing and other services.
  • Working with developers to create mixed use developments that include housing and commercial or retail space.
  • Helping current residents stay in their homes through foreclosure prevention, aging-in-place, and other programs.
  • Managing the City’s property inventory and selling vacant houses and lots for redevelopment.
  • Requesting development proposals for City-owned parcels.
  • Managing major development projects that offer opportunities to improve our city.
  • Providing detailed and thorough underwriting services for City loan and grant programs.

Mission 

The mission of the Bureau of Business and Housing Development is “to create great places for all to live, work and play”. 

Essential Links 

30 Church Street – Room 005A
Rochester, NY 14614