Issue
Housing bonds, trust funds, and county programs that pay to build and keep affordable homes.
City Council
Council may track how developers use the affordable housing bonus available in the new zoning code. Proposed legislation would require the Department of City Planning to send a semiannual report to council. The department will also issue any recommendations for changes to the program in two years.
City Council
Until now, the Pittsburgh Land Bank has sold properties one at a time, directly to owner-occupants. In a second pilot, it's looking to sell bundles to developers and contractors. The director said the land bank will try to favor buyers who commit to reselling to owner-occupants. Council advanced her request to acquire two bundles, in Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar and Homewood.
County Council
In her Feb. 10 address to council, Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato reported progress on snow clearing, public safety, and housing. She said homicides fell last year to the lowest level since electronic records began, crediting violence interruption teams. Her Feb. 5 executive order introduced a Housing Investment Fund. Her goal is $50 million to $100 million in public and private money for affordable housing.
City Council
Money for affordable housing could take a hit as council looks to cut $30 million from the mayor's 2026 budget. That could include the Urban Redevelopment Authority's proposed $10 million for its Housing Opportunity Fund. Council members strongly support the fund, which helps build and preserve affordable housing. For now, council is holding the bill for two weeks.
City Council
A nearly $31.6 million housing bond from 2023 was meant to address the city's housing crisis. So far, the Urban Redevelopment Authority has used $3.25 million of it. Combined with other funding, that led to 61 preserved or newly affordable units. The council president has called for a follow-up meeting to dig into the report.
City Council
In 2024, the county and its partners helped house about 1,700 people, including some couch surfing or living in cars. Efforts to address camps along riverfront trails and in the Business District have moved 75 people into shelters. The county expects to hit its goal of 500 affordable units in 500 days this October, the human services director said.