housing

A legal aid supervising attorney said eliminating the Housing Opportunity Fund while keeping its 1% transfer tax would be a 'bait and switch,' and urged Council to fund prevention over enforcement.

An Iroquois Confederacy council member detailed the funds' results — nearly 1,500 affordable homes, 2,098 households stabilized — and called the budget 'a moral document,' asking Council to reject it.

Lawrenceville Together's co-director said the fund has exceeded expectations — supporting roughly 1,000 households a year versus a projected 680 — and that its transfer tax brings in far more than it spends.

The Bloomfield-Garfield activist suggested shifting HOF construction dollars into the capital budget to preserve them, while keeping services in the operating budget.

A Pittsburgh United organizer from Brighton Heights supported the funds and criticized an officer for initially blocking a disabled resident from the budget address.

A PA United organizer said the O'Connor administration has not yet engaged Black communities, and criticized the officer's treatment of an elder resident.

A District 3 resident contrasted the $40 million downtown TRID with the roughly half-as much sought for HOF and Stop the Violence, calling the budget a statement about the city's values.

A Garfield mutual-aid volunteer said cutting the HOF would worsen homelessness, and defended the Stop the Violence Fund's record in Black communities.

A longtime Lawrenceville resident credited HOF with keeping her neighborhood economically mixed and urged funding proven programs over a downtown-centric plan.

A Highland Park renter and fourth-generation Pittsburgher questioned calling units 'affordable' at 80–120% of area median income and asked why a land value tax wasn't on the table.

A One Pennsylvania organizer from Beechview said the real affordable housing shortage is worse than counts suggest because many subsidized units are in terrible condition, and questioned police budget increases.

A Hill District native described losing her family home, relying on ERAP, and watching Crawford Square rents climb to $3,000, asking Council leaders who those rents are for.

A Perry Hilltop resident (via Zoom, with audio trouble) asked Council to support the HOF, Stop the Violence and Food Justice funds.

A community connector said the two fears she hears door-to-door — losing an apartment and losing a child to violence — are exactly what this budget defunds.

A retired City Planning and Pittsburgh Foundation housing professional called the fund's track record impressive and said this is not the time to stop the $10 million annual funding.

A homeless resident described losing her housing after back surgery despite applying for eviction prevention, and asked Council to keep the funds that could help people like her.

The URA executive director warned the proposed 2027 budget would leave about $7.8 million less for the URA and urged maintaining flexible funding levels to preserve affordable housing investments.

The URA's Chief Housing Officer presented detailed figures: $91.9 million received since 2018, 1,577 units created or preserved, and a draft 2027 allocation of $14.88 million.

A City of Bridges Community Land Trust leader recounted the fund's origins in the Penn Plaza evictions and the Affordable Housing Task Force, and argued the fund is working above expectations.

The Lawrenceville Together co-director said the realty transfer tax has produced $15-22 million annually, far exceeding the $10 million to HOF, and cited local success stories from home repairs to down payment assistance.

The advisory board chair, the only founding member still serving, emotionally challenged council to 'revisit how you can justify not committing funds to the HOF,' citing rising housing instability and senior poverty.

ACTION's CEO reported $9 million in HOF funds leveraged over $102 million in development over five years, 579 affordable units, and 950 applications for just 38 home-repair slots — a stark demand signal.

The Pittsburgh Foundation officer said philanthropy invested $1.45 million in housing in 2025 but cannot substitute for public funding, calling eviction prevention programs public goods that cannot be paused.

Recounted the deaths of loved ones from her Bedford Avenue high-rise, an assault she suffered in the building, and managers' dismissive responses, explaining why she keeps attending council meetings.

Urged council to protect the Housing Opportunity Fund and Stop the Violence Fund from budget cuts.

Spoke in support of preserving the Housing Opportunity Fund for Oakland residents.

Urged council not to dismantle the Housing Opportunity Fund while keeping its dedicated tax revenue.

Expressed concern over community center closures and displacement on the North Side.

Mocked council's proposed budget decisions regarding housing affordability and community investments.

Urged preservation of housing and violence prevention funds to prevent homelessness.

Urged council to reject proposed cuts to the HOF and Stop the Violence Trust Fund.

Discussed neighborhood-level housing networks and alternatives to centralized housing authorities.

Spoke on behalf of Pro Housing Pittsburgh in strong support of Bill 2025-1545, emphasizing that the zoning reform will remove barriers to housing development, eliminate outdated parking minimums, and allow gentle density through ADUs.

Expressed support for the zoning reform bill and thanked council members for their work on the legislation over the past few years.

Testified in favor of the bill as a homeowner from Beachview, noting that parking minimums increase building costs and that ADUs help seniors on fixed incomes.

An architect from Lawrenceville expressed concern over proposed height increases in neighborhood commercial districts (up to 105 feet) and the removal of residential compatibility standards, warning it could threaten neighborhood character.

Supported the bill from Polish Hill but urged council to strengthen it by reinstating a 35-year affordability period and allocating payment-in-lieu funds to a social housing fund.

Expressed support for parking reform and cautious support for ADUs, but noted disappointment with the 20-year affordability cap compared to the 35-year period in existing inclusionary zoning overlays.

Spoke on behalf of older adult advocacy groups in favor of ADU provisions, noting they help seniors on fixed incomes and provide crucial housing options.

Representing Lawrenceville Together, supported parking reform and ADUs while advocating for a 35-year affordability period, higher payment-in-lieu fees, and lower height limits in neighborhood commercial districts.

Spoke as co-chair of the Pittsburgh Housing Justice Table, welcoming improvements to the voluntary bonus program but urging a 35-year affordability period and dedication of payment-in-lieu funds to social housing.

Expressed general support from Polish Hill for affordable housing efforts but raised concerns regarding short-term rentals, height allowances blocking views, and neighborhood-specific parking impacts.

Testified on behalf of Pittsburghers for Public Transit in strong support of parking minimum elimination, TDM, and ADUs, while urging a 35-year affordability period.

Expressed strong concerns from Fine View regarding blanket zoning that ignores topography, potential parking shortages from ADUs, and height increases damaging neighborhood character and views.

Speaking for AARP Pennsylvania, supported housing choice and age-friendly housing provisions while encouraging continued monitoring of affordability programs for older adults.

Raised concerns about short-term rentals, parking availability for seniors on the North Side, and the potential negative impact of multi-story buildings on community stability.

Representing Bloomfield Garfield Corporation, spoke favorably of ADU and parking reforms but questioned whether the affordable housing bonus program would bridge financial gaps for private developers.

Reported safety violations, crime, and management failures at a local residential tower.

Criticized management practices and resident restrictions at a residential high-rise building on Mercer Street.

Expressed safety concerns over vacant and vandalized properties in Manchester after a recent building collapse.

Criticized the city for delayed demolition and code enforcement after a condemned building collapsed on Sheffield Street.

Highlighted high rates of absentee ownership and vacant properties in Manchester and requested a meeting with Councilman Lavelle.

Requested assistance regarding property damage and boundary disputes caused by an adjacent contractor in Manchester.

Urged city council to address housing affordability and homelessness amidst ongoing real estate development.

Raised concerns about low-income housing tax credits and development projects in Homestead, calling for federal investigations.

Raised concerns about drug activity in suburban developments managed by A.M. Rodriguez and called for accountability.

Shared a personal struggle as a domestic violence survivor experiencing homelessness and housing system barriers with her young son.

Spoke about personal housing grievances, constitutional rights, and legal protections.

Criticized council members for using phones during public comment and questioned housing assistance rescissions.

Shared concerns about housing notices and community matters.

Discussed housing justice following Martin Luther King Jr. Day and advocated for a comprehensive civil rights framework in housing.

Quoted Martin Luther King Jr. and spoke about personal hardships, housing status, and civil rights grievances.

Spoke as a small business owner and short-term rental host on the North Side, urging council to partner with responsible operators rather than enacting blunt restrictions.

Highlighted how short-term rentals support local cleaning and service businesses like his cleaning company in Homewood.

Spoke on behalf of the local short-term rental alliance, arguing that regulations should target bad behavior rather than imposing blunt zoning caps.

Co-owner of a property management company, noting the economic contributions of STRs to local jobs and tourism tax revenues.

Local real estate investor and host argued for smart, enforceable regulations that target bad actors without penalizing responsible operators.

Shared positive experiences operating short-term rentals and noted that long-term and affordable housing units often face more maintenance issues than STRs.