Pittsburgh's Urban Redevelopment Authority seeks input on $10M affordable housing plan

Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority is seeking public input on a $10 million spending plan for its Housing Opportunity Plan.

The proposed spending plan for the Housing Opportunity Fund, the city’s trust fund supporting affordable housing, includes $2 million for the URA’s Rental Gap Program.

That program provides loans to nonprofit developers to create or preserve affordable housing. The spending plans calls for $1.75 million of the Rental Gap Program money to be designated for housing that is affordable for people making no more than 30% of the area median income, with the rest set aside for housing for people making no more than 50% of the area median income.

The area median income ranges from $70,300 for a person to $132,600 for a household of eight, according to the URA.

The proposed spending plan also includes more than $3 million for the Homeowner Assistance Program, which provides up to $35,000 in financial assistance to eligible homeowners to help them make home improvements.

An additional $1.4 million would go to a program that offers legal help for housing-related matters such as title services, foreclosure protection and mediation for renters.

The proposed budget also includes $850,000 for housing stabilization efforts, including help with rent, mortgage or utilities for people making no more than half of the area median income.

The URA’s down payment and closing cost assistance program is set to receive $700,000, while $650,000 would be designated for for-sale home development initiatives.

No money would be allocated for the Small Landlord Fund, which this year received $400,000 from the Housing Opportunity Fund. The Small Landlord Fund gives money to landlords with up to 10 units so they can preserve existing affordable housing or convert market-rate or vacant housing into affordable housing.

Most of the cash budgeted for the program this year is still available, said Evan Miller, the URA’s director of housing.

The URA will accept public feedback online through October 30.

After the public comment period closes, URA and Housing Opportunity Fund officials will craft a final budget. That will need approval from the Housing Opportunity Fund’s advisory board, the URA board and City Council.