Pittsburgh Housing Needs Assessment Zoning Amendments Moves to City Council
After an exhaustive 11-hour meeting, the City Planning Commission debated two major housing-related zoning proposals: Councilman Bob Charland’s Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) bill and Mayor Ed Gainey’s Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) Zoning Amendments. The meeting featured extensive testimony from community organizations, housing advocates, and residents, underscoring the urgent need for policies that address Pittsburgh’s housing affordability crisis.
READ: Unpacking Pittsburgh’s two proposals for inclusionary zoning
Councilman Charland’s IZ bill failed to receive a positive recommendation form the Planning Commission. The proposal aimed to alter the city’s inclusionary zoning requirements, which mandate a percentage of affordable units in new developments, but commissioners, as well as most public comments raised concerns about its scope, feasibility, and public cost.
In contracts, the HNA Zoning Amendments — which include city-wide inclusionary zoning, transit-oriented development (TOD), parking requirement adjustments for developments, minimum unit size changes, and expanded opportunities for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) — received approval to move forward to City Council. These amendments reflect recommendations from the Housing Needs Assessment, which identified zoning barriers to increasing affordable housing supply.
READ: Pittsburgh's dueling inclusionary zoning bills spark YIMBY debate and questions about math
PCRG, along with many of our members, played a key role in advocating for the HNA Zoning Amendments as part of a coalition that included Lawrenceville United, Pittsburghers for Public Transit, the Housing Justice Table, Regional Housing Legal Services, and Pittsburgh United. Our coalition testimony highlighted how these zoning changes could help create more equitable development, reduce displacement, and improve housing accessibility. As the amendments move to City Council for further deliberation, PCRG and our partners will continue advocating for policies that prioritize affordability, community stability, and equitable growth while considering existing neighborhood affordability goals already laid out in community plans.
Governor Shapiro Budget Address
This week, Gov. Josh Shapiro will deliver his 2025-2026 budget address, outlining his administration’s priorities for the year ahead. With last year’s budget set at $48 billion, this year’s spending plan is expected to reach $50 billion, with potential new revenue sources from regulated skill-based games and cannabis legalization. The Governor is expected to highlight additional funding for public schools and public transportation.
A key focus for PCRG and our partners is working with the Shapiro administration and the state legislature to implement a statewide housing plan that tackles Pennsylvania’s pressing affordability and housing quality challenges. This includes securing funding for Whole Home Repairs, combating institutional investors and shadow companies that are driving up housing costs, and enhancing funding for land banks to return vacant property to productive use.
As Governor Shapiro lays out his vision for Pennsylvania’s future, we remain committed to ensuring that housing is a top priority in this year’s budget. We will continue advocating for policies and investments that promote affordability, stability, and equity for communities across southwestern Pennsylvania. Stay tuned for updates as the budget negotiations unfold.
Trump Administration Issues Government Spending Freese and HUD Nominees Advances in Senate
President Donald Trump issued a sweeping executive order freezing government loans and grants, which is already impacting payments to government contractors and agencies that provide critical human and social services — including housing and nutrition assistance programs. The freeze raises concerns about potential disruptions to housing vouchers, homelessness prevention programs, and other essential support systems that rely on federal funding. Soon after Trump’s executive order, a federal judge issued a court order blocking the freeze until February 3.
In other key moves, former global hedge fund manager Scott Bessent was sworn in as Treasury Secretary. In this role, Bessent will be a key negotiator in the upcoming tax negotiations in Congress and the administration’s tariffs. Meanwhile, Scott Turner, the nominee for Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, advanced out of the Senate Banking Committee on a party-line vote, setting the stage for a full Senate confirmation vote. If confirmed, Turner would oversee HUD’s $70 billion budget. During his confirmation hearings, he called for reforms to the housing voucher system and an increase in housing supply, though he has provided few details on how he intends to achieve these goals.