Refugee resettlement, which helped turn around Western New York’s decades-long population slide, is getting a boost from state lawmakers.
The $220 billion state budget approved Saturday includes $6 million to aid refugees in building a new life after fleeing countries torn apart by war or political strife. It’s double the amount awarded in 2021 and the most state money committed to refugee resettlement since the New York Enhanced Services to Refugees Program was created in 2017.
Much of the money will likely end up in Western New York, which has four resettlement agencies.
