LIGHT OF LIFE’S SISTER’S RECOVERY HOUSE IS AMONG 11 AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS RECEIVING GRANT FUNDS FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA HOUSING AGENCY’S HOUSING OPTION GRANT PROGRAM. | PHOTO COURTESY OF LIGHT OF LIFE RESCUE MISSION

Eleven affordable housing projects in the City of Pittsburgh are receiving a much-needed boost from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency’s Housing Option Grant Program.

The $15 million in state funding will help construct and preserve 579 affordable rental units in the city.

The funding is part of a $98 million award to fund emergency repair, preservation and new construction of 3,377 affordable units across the state.

“This funding puts us another step closer to ensuring that every resident has a place to call home. That is a basic human necessity that everyone deserves.,” City of Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey said in a city press release.

THE HISTORIC ALLEGHENY YMCA ON THE NORTH SIDE WILL RECEIVE STATE GRANT FUNDING TO HELP PRESERVE 88 UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING. | PM FILE PHOTO

Supported projects include:

• African Queens Apartments in the Hill District for the new construction of nine units
• Homewood Affordable Housing Construction for the new construction of 37 units
• Allegheny YMCA Renovation for the preservation of 88 units on the North Side
• Hazelwood 2023 for the preservation of nine units
• Hazelwood Affordable Rental Preservation Program :  Stabilization Initiative for the preservation of 61 units
• Homewood Housing Rehabilitation for the preservation of 17 units
• Independent Housing Resources East for the preservation of 24 units
• Light of Life Sister’s Recovery House for the preservation of 22 units on the North Side
• Pennley Commons Recapitalization for the preservation of 38 units in East Liberty
• The Residences at Wood Street/Wood Street Commons Investment Project for the preservation of 250 units, Downtown
• Widows Home for the preservation of 24 units on the North Side

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh says there is a severe shortage of both rental and homeownership opportunities in the city, and estimates there is a need for 15,000 affordable homes.

“As a result of this housing situation, some families must live in substandard conditions or make difficult tradeoffs,” the website reads. “More than half of all adults have made at least one tradeoff in the past three years to cover their rent or mortgage. Many families must take on an additional job or hours at work, stop retirement savings, accumulate credit card debt, or cut back on health care.”

In other housing news, the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh recently announced it has approved a contract for up to $500,000 with Florida-based CVR and Associates to improve its Section 8 voucher program.

The voucher program helps low-income families, the elderly and the disabled rent decent, safe and sanitary housing units in the private market.

More than 5,000 families in the Pittsburgh area use the voucher to help pay for housing through the program, according to a WESA article, which also notes the program has recently faced much public scrutiny.

A Post-Gazette article notes the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh is working to issue $42 million in bonds next summer to both build more units and preserve existing stock. 

“This award is not just a financial boost; it’s a testament to the power of collaboration in creating positive change. Our partnership with [the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency] has been instrumental in our mission to revitalize and enhance our urban landscape,” Susheela Nemani-Stanger, URA executive director, said in the release.