Crystal Jennings-Rivera
Stewardship & Community Engagement Manager,
City of Bridges Community Land Trust

Crystal Jennings-Rivera’s past few roles have centered around human rights — transportation, food access and, currently, housing.

“Housing justice is my passion, and it’s a goal to help everyone achieve it,” she says, noting that she feels it’s a natural right.

In her full-time job, she’s supporting hopeful homeowners from application through procurement, as well as reselling, and jokes that “every house comes with [her].”

She has many tales of successes amid curveballs while helping with underwriting, the banking process and other steps; the connections continue post-transaction, as she’s been invited to gatherings of those she’s helped.

Jennings-Rivera shares her talents with the community via efforts such as serving as a volunteer organizer and co-founder of Penn Plaza Support and Action Coalition (aiding displaced residents) and co-founding RentHelpPGH (helping locals to avoid eviction).