African Queens finds new beginning on Centre Ave. with 12 affordable apartments
Yesterday, the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh joined Amani Christian Community Development Corporation, the City of Pittsburgh and other partners to announce the groundbreaking for the African Queens Apartments, a transformative new development that will bring deeply affordable housing and vibrant commercial opportunities to the historic Hill District neighborhood.
The project was funded in part through the URA’s Avenues of Hope Initiative. Avenues of Hope is our strategy to invest in Pittsburgh’s historically Black main streets, with a focus on inclusive, sustainable, and community-led development. African Queens Apartments represents a pivotal moment in the City’s efforts to foster equitable development in historically underserved neighborhoods.
Mayor Ed Gainey speaks at the groundbreaking.
URA Chief Housing Officer Quianna Wasler speaks at the groundbreaking.
Reverend Lee Walls speaks at the groundbreaking.
The URA's Manager of Residential Lending smiles during a conversation.
“The African Queens Apartments is special because it has deep roots in this community. Thanks to the name, we can honor the record store that once stood on this site and the cultural significance of this neighborhood, while looking forward to its future,” said Quianna Wasler, URA Chief Housing Officer.
When construction is complete, 12 new affordable rental units will fill a longstanding gap on Centre Ave. Located adjacent to the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Hill District branch, these apartments will target households earning 30% or less of the Area Median Income. The building will also feature approximately 1,700 square feet of ground-floor commercial space, strategically designed to support affordable and market rate retail opportunities.
“This is not just about bricks and mortar, it’s about investing in the people who make this community strong and vibrant,” said Rev. Lee Walls, Executive Director of Amani Christian Community Development Corporation, “The 12 affordable units will offer much-needed housing stability for people with extremely low-incomes.”
“African Queens is a shining example of what we can do when we all come together,” said Mayor Ed Gainey. “It’s what I’ve said from day one: a city for all is affordable.”
Matt Madia, Vice President of Real Estate Services at Neighborhood Allies, said the nonprofit was proud to support the project since 2019.
"We provided technical and sometimes moral support, and we provided financial support through our Neighborhood Capital Fund. Community development projects take time, but more importantly, projects like this take commitment. They take trust, and they take a belief that you can make your community better."
Mayor Ed Gainey speaks at the groundbreaking.
A group of stakeholders shovel dirt at the groundbreaking.
State Representative Aerion Abney holds a conversation before the groundbreaking.
The URA's Chief Housing Officer Quianna Wasler laughs while speaking at the groundbreaking.
As part of its commitment to investing in the revitalization of the Centre Ave. corridor, the URA provided a $840,000 Rental Gap Program loan sourced from the Housing Opportunity Fund. $80,000 of that funding is earmarked for supportive services provided to the future residents of African Queens Apartments by the University of Pittsburgh’s Community Engagement Center and Catapult Greater Pittsburgh. In support of the commercial spaces, the URA invested $200,000 through its Avenues of Hope Commercial Real Estate Program.
Wasler said, “This is what community-led development looks like. It honors the past, serves the present, and invests in the future.”
