Pittsburgh Housing Authority secures $50M HUD grant to boost affordable housing development

The Pittsburgh City Council held a budget hearing on November 26, 2024, focusing on housing initiatives and funding programs aimed at improving affordable housing in the city. The meeting highlighted various housing programs, occupancy rates, and funding strategies employed by the Housing Authority of Pittsburgh.

The session began with an overview of the Low-Income Public Housing (LIPH) program, which currently manages 2,138 units. The discussion then shifted to the Housing Choice Voucher Program, which serves approximately 4,916 participants. A key point raised was the effectiveness of the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program, which assists participants in enhancing their employment prospects and income levels, showing nearly double the income compared to non-participants.

Occupancy rates were reported as follows: 95% for low-income public housing, 98% for mixed finance developments, and 88% for the Housing Choice Voucher Program. The council noted ongoing efforts to collaborate with landlords and tenants to improve these rates. The waiting lists for these programs were also discussed, revealing 2,689 applicants for low-income public housing and nearly 12,000 for the Housing Choice Voucher Program.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the Gap Financing program, which has allowed the Housing Authority to create three times the number of affordable housing units compared to traditional methods. Since its inception in 2016, the program has invested $47 million, resulting in 2,153 new units at an average cost of $81,000 each, compared to the typical $500,000 per unit for affordable housing.

The council also discussed the successful application for the Bedford Choice Neighborhood competition, where Pittsburgh secured a $50 million grant from HUD. This funding is expected to generate $520 million in development activity, creating 865 new units over a seven-year period. The first phase of this project has already commenced, with additional phases planned.

Lastly, the meeting touched on the completion of the Lorimer project, which added 334 affordable housing units in a high-income area, demonstrating the city's commitment to integrating affordable housing within diverse neighborhoods.

In conclusion, the budget hearing underscored Pittsburgh's ongoing efforts to enhance affordable housing through innovative funding strategies and collaborative programs, aiming to address the growing demand for accessible housing options in the city.