In 1976, a development team from the Urban Reinvestment Task Force came to Buffalo, New York, to assess the feasibility of developing a Neighborhood Housing Services organization. The Kensington-Bailey-Delavan neighborhood was selected and ultimately became the location of the first NHS in Buffalo. Although originally incorporated as Buffalo NHS, the organization did business as Kensington-Bailey NHS. Later, when additional NHSs were created in other Buffalo neighborhoods, Kensington-Bailey NHS was formally incorporated as an organization separate from the original Buffalo NHS.

To offer a variety of services and programs to identify and resolve issues and empower residents in improving housing and community needs, through a partnership of volunteers, government and private funders for the benefit of the residents, businesses and property owners of the Kensington-Bailey community.