Mayor Peduto, URA and Key Stakeholders to Celebrate New Affordable Homes in Fineview

Recently renovated homes by Perry Hilltop and Fineview Citizens Councils are now available to rent

PITTSBURGH, PA (February 4, 2021) The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA), along with Mayor William Peduto and other elected officials and key stakeholders will join the Perry Hilltop and Fineview Citizens Councils to celebrate the ribbon cutting of two recently renovated single-family homes, located at 9 and 21 Lanark Street in the Fineview neighborhood.

The press conference and ribbon cutting will be both in-person and virtual, and will begin at 3 p.m. on Friday, February 5, at 21 Lanark Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15214. To view the free event virtually, register here. The celebration will also be streamed live on the Fineview Citizens Council Facebook page. In-person and virtual tours will follow. 

"Congratulations to the Perry Hilltop and Fineview Citizens Councils on this successful community-driven redevelopment project as part of their neighborhoods' five-year affordable housing plan. This project is an excellent example of how our residents and community partners can work directly with our government partners towards our shared vision to develop accessible housing and maintain affordability so that our residents can stay in the neighborhoods they call home," said Mayor William Peduto.

The former vacant and blighted properties on Lanark Street were rehabbed in less than six months by the board and staff members of the Perry Hilltop and Fineview Citizens Councils with support from public and private financing. Both properties are rental units for households up to 60% Area Median Income (AMI) and will accept Housing Choice Vouchers.

"We could not be more grateful for the tireless dedication that the Perry Hilltop and Fineview Citizens Councils bring to their work serving their communities. To go from a volunteer board to an organization with staff and two major renovations in just a few years is very impressive. Thank you for working diligently to beautify your community and bringing more affordable housing to the Northside,” said City Councilman Bobby Wilson.

“Over the last decade, we have watched areas of the City and the lower Northside become unaffordable. The result has been the displacement of residents of color. We are committed to preserving the diversity and affordability of our community and these homes are just the beginning of how we will make that vision a reality,” said Joanna Deming, executive director, Fineview and Perry Hilltop Citizens Councils.

The property at 9 Lanark is a 3-bedroom, 1.5 bath unit; the property at 21 Lanark is a 3-bedroom, 2.5 bath unit. Both have spacious yards. Work included bringing the units up to code, providing new interiors, and completing exterior maintenance. An open house is scheduled for February 6, 2021.

In 2010, the URA provided $90,000 blanket predevelopment funding to properties and parcels in Fineview – including 9 and 21 Lanark Street. In 2020, the URA approved $112,790 in development funding to 9 Lanark Street.

In addition to URA grant and loan financing, the development projects were made possible thanks to grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Neighborhood Assistance Tax Credit Program with contributions from UPMC Health Plan, Dollar Bank, and First National Bank, and Allegheny County’s Community Infrastructure and Tourism Program. Loan financing was also provided by Landmark Community Capital Corporation and Northside Community Development Fund.

Other partners critical to this development include: Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh; Emery Construction; J & L Homebuilders; and Studio for Spatial Practice. Other key supporters of this work include: One Northside; Neighborhood Allies; Hillman Foundation; and PNC Foundation.

Media interested in attending should contact Joanna Deming, executive director, Fineview and Perry Hilltop Citizens Councils, at joanna@ourfuturehilltop.org or 412-206-9402.

Note: Strict COVID-19 social distancing and safety precautions will be in place. Masks are required.