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URA and Pittsburgh Housing Development Corporation Awarded $654,310 to Support Affordable Housing, Homeowner Accessibility, and Façade Programs

Press Release
August 3, 2021

Funding will be used for City of Pittsburgh projects with a focus on Avenues of Hope neighborhoods

PITTSBURGH, PA (August 3, 2021) The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA) announced today that it, along with the Pittsburgh Housing Development Corporation (PHDC), has been awarded $654,310 in Keystone Communities Program grant funding to support affordable housing, homeowner accessibility, and commercial façade programs in the City of Pittsburgh. Governor Tom Wolf announced the approval of $5 million in Keystone Communities grant funding for 41 revitalization projects in 21 Pennsylvania counties in a press release yesterday.

The Keystone Communities Program is designed to encourage the creation of partnerships between public and private sector that jointly support local initiatives such as the growth and stability of neighborhoods and communities; social and economic diversity; and a strong and secure quality of life. The program allows communities to tailor assistance to meet the needs of specific revitalization efforts.

“We are grateful to Governor Wolf and our partners at the state for this investment in building equity in our communities. This funding will support programs and resources that create opportunities for inclusive, community-driven development so that our neighbors and neighborhoods can realize their vision for the future," Mayor William Peduto said. 

The $654,310 in grant funding is allocated as:

  • URA- $150,000 for URA commercial façade renovations
  • URA- $300,000 for URA Homeowner Accessibility Program for Independence (HAPI)
  • PHDC- $204,310 for Rose Street townhomes project in the Hill District

The $150,000 will support façade improvements for commercial properties in Avenues of Hope neighborhoods, offering matching grants to small business and property owners.

The $300,000 will be used to provide grant assistance to City homeowners and renters in need of upgrades or modifications to their homes in order to make them safe and more accessible. The goal of the HAPI is to allow these individuals and families to continue living independently in their homes and communities.

The $204,310 will go towards the development of two new construction, for-sale 3-bedroom townhouses located along a vacant section of Rose Street in the Middle Hill District. The units will be made available to household at or below 80% of the Area Median Income(AMI) and will be led by Baltimore-based MBE development firm R Kyndall in collaboration with PHDC.

These two affordable units will be accompanied by four market rate units and are part of the URA Centre Avenue Corridor revitalization.

"I'd like to thank Governor Wolf, DCED Secretary Davin, and all our partners at the state for these generous awards," URA Executive Director Greg Flisram said. “This funding will allow the URA and PHDC to continue our mission-driven work across the City with our focus on social equity and generational wealth-building strategies particularly in our designated Avenues of Hope neighborhoods."

A complete list of the approved project and their grant allocations can be found here.

About the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA)
The URA is the City of Pittsburgh's economic development agency, supporting the City’s economic development goals, which are designed to create a city of inclusive opportunity for residents, stakeholders, and communities. The URA is committed to creating more housing that is affordable to the average Pittsburgher; encouraging more entrepreneurship and small business development; promoting inclusive growth and quality job creation; expanding neighborhood and main streets revitalization efforts; and developing a talented workforce that is equipped with the skills of the future.

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