Issue
Funding the Pittsburgh Land Bank and getting abandoned properties back into use.
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.
City Council
The Pittsburgh Land Bank's roughly 5,000 parcels are now mostly buildings instead of land, its director said. The Urban Redevelopment Authority has asked council for $157,175 to help pay land bank staff. She said the shift requires in-house experts to review structures and plan stabilization work. Next week, council is scheduled to vote on the request.
City Council
Across the city, 11,311 abandoned parcels account for an estimated $54.7 million in delinquent property taxes. Putting them back on the tax rolls could cost $168.5 million, the Pittsburgh Land Bank estimated. However, a Dec. 26 task force report said its five-year plan is unlikely to happen. It recommended recurring city funding and cost sharing with the county and school district instead.
City Council
After informally working together to try to move tax-delinquent properties back onto the tax rolls, the city has put together an agreement with the land bank, the county and school district.
City Council
Buying a City house can take up to two years under the existing program. With a new pilot, the City would clear titles first, cutting closing to about six months. Council has advanced the first five sales, all in the West End. Buyers would have to meet income limits and live in the home for at least five years.
City Council
The Pittsburgh Land Bank, which sells vacant and tax-delinquent properties, has relied on American Rescue Plan money. It faces a shortfall after 2026, and its acting director said it isn't self-sustaining. Now, a council member has proposed a task force to recommend long-term funding. It would start after council's final vote next week and report in time for the 2026 budget.