URA Celebrates Trade Institute of Pittsburgh's Rehabilitation of Units of Workforce Housing for Students

Today, the URA joined Mayor William Peduto, the Trade Institute of Pittsburgh (TIP), County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, Representative Ed Gainey, Senator Jay Costa, Councilman Reverend Ricky Burgess, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), and key stakeholders for a groundbreaking to commence the Trade Institute's rehabilitation of a duplex project located in Homewood.

The project will provide two 3-bedroom units of workforce housing for Trade Institute students looking to get a fresh start to positively re-enter the workforce. 

“I want to congratulate the Trade Institute of Pittsburgh for their efforts in providing living wage jobs, affordable workforce housing and a comprehensive set of life skills and supportive services to support a cohort of trainees as they work to overcome the formidable barriers while positively engaging in society," URA Deputy Executive Director Diamonte Walker said.

Through its pilot Workforce Housing program, TIP provides workforce training, employment at $15 per hour plus supportive services, including job readiness skills, computer literacy, financial literacy, life coaching, and alumni support to maximize the students' opportunity for success.

The housing units being rehabilitated will be owned by the Trade Institute. TIP students will be simultaneously living in and renovating 7911 Susquehanna Street while receiving wrap-around services and developing skills that will allow them to one day be financially independent. The tenants will be charged an affordable rent and a portion of the rent will be refunded back to the residents when they leave the housing so that the funds can be used for a security deposit on a more permanent unit. Three unrelated students will live in each unit with a shared kitchen and other shared common space. 

ACTION-Housing, Inc is providing pro-bono project management services to assist the Trade Institute and will assist in finding permanent, affordable housing once the students are financially stable and can afford to live independently, freeing up the rehabilitated units for other students.

The URA provided $100,000 in financing for the project. Other funders include PHFA and Allegheny County.