Safe haven in Buffalo is vandalized

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Haven for victims of domestic violence has become the target of crime at a home.

Thieves have hit one house, robbing families of their chance to start over.

It's a transitional home for Buffalo area women and their children.

A safe haven.

News 4 won't reveal its location because many of the residents are getting away from abusive relationships.

As you're about to see, the security of that safe haven has been violated with costly consequences.

Water down below. A flood basement is a sign of trouble.

Chief Executive Officer of the YWCA of Western New York, Deborah Lynn Williams said, "We had the copper pipes and the water meter stolen from the basement. And of course, that left the water running so we had three feet of water in the basement."

It's not clear if the furnace still works.

"They took anything they could drive to a scrap yard and sell," she also explained.

And Williams means anything.

Pieces of aluminum from the stairs were taken and the downspouts are gone.

Aluminum around the chimney was taken.

Anything metal that could mean money was targeted.

Now this is a different kind of home.

It's a transitional home.

The women and children who come here can stay here from anywhere from six months up to two years.

"There's a big need for transitional housing for women and their families who become homeless for a host of reasons. But particularly for women of domestic violence," Williams also stated.

The YWCA has offered transitional housing help for more than a decade.

A success story is moving out of the upstairs unit.

Because of the vandalism, two families won't have a place to call home for awhile.

"The real impact is two families that are going to have to spend more nights in a homeless shelter," Williams exclaimed. "It's additionally frustrating these scrapyards. They know when someone comes walking in with an armful of gutters and a water meter. It was obtained legally, likely."

It is expected to cost thousands of dollars to make repairs to the home.

It's money the YWCA doesn't have right now.

If you can help, you can call the YWCA at 852-6120.