Affordable Housing Month serves as a reminder of the critical shortage of and need for housing that’s accessible to all individuals and families – no matter what their income. As housing costs skyrocket, this month-long observance sheds light on the importance of ensuring that everyone has a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home.
Affordable Housing Month represents a collective effort to address the housing crisis that plagues communities nationally. It also serves as a reminder that housing affordability is relative. Even though Pittsburgh is considered “affordable” compared to other regions of the country, rents and housing costs continue to rise and the racial disparities in mortgage lending persist. According to The Pittsburgh Housing Needs Assessment, the need for affordable units in Pittsburgh has decreased since 2016 (from 14,500 to 8,200 units). But that’s only because people who couldn’t afford the increasing costs of housing either left the city or are now unhoused.
During the month of May, Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group (PCRG) will bring together housing stakeholders, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, lenders, and community advocates to raise collective awareness about the challenges surrounding affordable housing. These challenges include racial disparities in housing access and affordability, the impact of rising rents, barriers to homeownership, and systemic issues at the root of – and perpetuating – housing insecurity. The reality is, Black people are denied mortgages 84% more than white people nationally. In the Pittsburgh region, the rate of white homeownership was 73%, compared to 31% among Black residents.
Moreover, Affordable Housing Month serves as a platform for initiating meaningful conversations, forming tangible action steps, and implementing concrete policy solutions to tackle the housing crisis. It’s an opportunity to prompt policymakers at all levels of government, to explore innovative strategies for increasing affordable housing stock, through ways such as incentivizing affordable housing development, implementing rent stability measures and expanding rental assistance programs.
Affordable Housing Month also fosters community engagement and activism, which empowers communities to advocate for policies that prioritize housing affordability and equity. It encourages people to support local affordable housing initiatives, volunteer with organizations that assist vulnerable populations, and participate in grassroots efforts to address housing injustice , including efforts from our partners at the Pittsburgh Housing Justice Table.
Affordable Housing Month is not just about acknowledging the problem, but about catalyzing action and effecting change year-round. It’s a reminder to challenge our policy makers to confront the pervasive inequities in housing access and affordability and to work towards building inclusive communities where everyone has a place to call home. As we observe Affordable Housing Month, let us reaffirm our commitment to creating a future where housing is truly affordable for everyone.
To learn more about Affordable Housing Month, and related activities, meetings, rallies, follow us on social media below.