Operation Better Block, First Commonwealth Bank provide solutions to housing issues in Homewood
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There is a reoccurring theme that plays out across America when blighted neighborhoods are gazed upon for potential economic development. Current residents — the ones who rode out the leanest of times — are rarely consulted. If they are, local residents rarely attend planning meetings, and if they do, they rarely grasp how the changes will affect them personally.
So often, the outcome means a path toward gentrification that only a few investors stand to benefit from.
Operation Better Block (OBB) Executive Director Jerome Jackson wants more for the Pittsburgh community of Homewood.
His unique approach — called “cluster development” — provides a brand new model of development that puts residents’ needs first.
And the progress, albeit gradual, appears to be working.
“To engage people, you have to give up some of the control of development and allow them to do it for themselves,” said Jackson. “That’s what the cluster plan is really about. It gives residents a chance to say ‘this is what we want to see happen or not happen in our neighborhood,’ be it clearing distressed lots, new construction, green spaces, traffic patterns, or so on.”
The city identifies Homewood as having three neighborhoods — West, North and South, but per Operation Better Block’s approach, Homewood is broken into nine clusters and one business corridor. This more detailed breakdown engages more residents because it directly affects and relates to what is happening in their immediate neighborhood. Cluster association meetings are held on a monthly basis. Strategic priorities are set and plans are approved or rejected by community members in attendance.
“We equip people to do for themselves. If someone wants to do a project, the cluster association has to say they support it. If they don’t support it, then we don’t support it,” said Jackson. “That turns into them doing for themselves, not us doing for them.”
Recent home renovations in Cluster Four serve as a prototype for what Jackson hopes will happen in Homewood if OBB can secure additional funding.
As demand for affordable housing in Pittsburgh increases, gentrification will surely come to the East Pittsburgh community as well — property values are already climbing, Jackson points out — but in the meantime, “the more current residents who are able to own properties the better, since it builds stability in the neighborhood and gives current residents a chance to build equity,” said Jackson.
To date, First Commonwealth Bank (FCB) has helped OBB secure two separate $750,000 grants. The first enabled Jackson’s team to purchase and rehabilitate and sell four homes — two of which are under construction and two which are sold. The second grant helped the team finance four new rental units, with more on the horizon.
As they’re completed, the homes and apartments are available to qualifying residents.
All OBB home buyers have to earn an income of less than 80% of the area’s median household income which is around $58,000 a year for a family of four. Selling the home within five years is not permitted unless OBB is reimbursed for rehab costs.
All potential buyers must also participate in workshops funded by FCB that provide education on topics like budgeting, borrowing, saving and credit to help ensure successful long-term ownership and future financial independence.
“If you can address the lack of safe, decent, affordable, housing in a community, you will immediately rectify things like educational and public health deficiencies. Simply put, if you don’t have a safe and clean place to go home to, all other challenges become infinitely more difficult to overcome,” said Evan Zuverink, VP and Community Reinvestment Officer at First Commonwealth Bank.
First Commonwealth Bank has locations throughout Pittsburgh, including branches in nearby Bloomfield, Forest Hills and Regent Square.
Zuverink said, “It’s gratifying for First Commonwealth Bank as an organization to provide support for OBB on these homes because that’s what community banking really is. We’re living our mission because we’re helping folks participate in the economy through equity.”
OBB formed in the wake of the social disturbances of the late-1960s that rocked American inner-cities. The Pittsburgh non-profit has been stepping up to fill voids in programming and funding in Homewood for more than a half-century.
During this time, OBB has created youth activities, worked with authorities to curb gang violence, managed vacant lots, and worked on beautification and development projects in Homewood.
“The poignant connection that exists between First Commonwealth Bank and Operation Better Block is really a shared vision for seeing Homewood return to the economically and socially vibrant neighborhood that it was in the 30s, 40s and 50s,” said Zuverink. “We want to create a Homewood where people who have resided here can continue to stay, but do so in a home that’s safe and affordable, and we want to invite folks who have been pushed out due to disinvestment to come back once again and participate in a vibrant Pittsburgh neighborhood that’s really re-envisioned itself.”
Learn more about Operation Better Block.
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