PCRG Connect: September Policy Brief

Zoning Reform in Pittsburgh  

Mayor Ed Gainey’s Administration is set to announce a legislative package with zoning proposals that will revamp the code on housing-related projects. This includes minimum parking requirements, city-wide inclusionary zoning, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and fair housing compliance. The policy reforms stem from recommendations made during the 2022 Pittsburgh Affordable Housing Needs Assessment in order to meet the city’s affordable housing goals.  

While the specific language of the legislative package is not yet publicly available, PCRG has long advocated for an inclusive, fair and responsible zoning codes that aim to enhance the development and preservation of affordable and attainable housing for the entire City of Pittsburgh.  

Be sure to follow EngagePGH for updates on meetings, engagement opportunities and information regarding these proposals, including a hearing on zoning text amendments at today’s Planning Commission meeting.  

 

City Side-Lot Reform? 

Pittsburgh City Council debated legislation to change the popular side-lot program, which enables people to purchase city-owned parcels at a discounted price but with deed restrictions. The debate comes as Councilwoman Deb Gross introduced legislation that would disqualify buyers unless they already own homes adjacent to the properties for sale – a move that aims to benefit homeowners instead of real estate speculators. Some council members pushed back, saying they believe that responsible, local landlords should be able to acquire the lots. The legislation was tabled for a later date.  

  

Housing Opportunity Fund  

Pittsburgh City Controller Rachael Heisler released a performance audit of the Housing Opportunity Fund that called on the URA – which currently operates the HOF – to more efficiently use the fund’s available $10 million for new developments to increase the supply of affordable housing. The HOF is advised by a community advisory board that makes recommendations from public surveys and meetings on spending allocations, including rental assistance, home ownership assistance, housing stabilization, legal assistance and for sale development.  

Affordable housing advocates, who helped create the HOF in 2018, responded to the controller’s audit recommendations.  

 

PCRG Comments on LIHTC Plans  

PCRG recently submitted a letter in response to the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency’s (PHFA) calls for public comment on its 2025-26 Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP). Our organization’s comment letter helps PHFA develop a guide for distributing Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, including scoring criteria, types of projects and threshold requirements as well as policy goals.  

QAPs are usually updated biannually to reflect changes in housing needs, policy priorities and federal guidelines.  

Federal  

Earlier last month, PCRG’s Executive Director Ernie Hogan joined regional advocates of housing, healthcare, legal and law enforcement in a roundtable discussion with the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and Congresswoman Summer Lee. The topic at hand: junk fees and how consumers can help policy makers eliminate unnecessary requirements that drive up costs for goods and services.  

Hogan spoke about how banks, with pressure from advocacy groups and the government, have started to eliminate burdensome fees like overdraft, deposit and balance inquiries. In the past few years, the CFPB and the Biden Administration have taken on large banks and credit card companies and fined them for unfair practices against consumers. Congresswoman Lee announced her plans to present legislation to further enforce limits on junk fees and protect consumers.