Land Trusts Holding Ground for Affordable Housing in Pittsburgh

Community land trusts are facing an uphill battle as waves of gentrification reach new neighborhoods around Pittsburgh.

1 minute read

February 11, 2016, 2:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Diana Nelson Jones reports on the efforts to preserve affordable housing in the neighborhoods of Pittsburgh experiencing a wave of investment and revitalization. The tool of choice in this effort: community land trusts. Nelson Jones the details the work of community land trusts in the neighborhoods of East Liberty, Lawrenceville, and Oakland.

For instance, the "Lawrenceville Corp. has just launched a land trust to buy properties to keep in the hands of moderate-income families with each resale. It is starting with seven targeted properties in Upper Lawrenceville, the last section to feel the market.

Then there is the work of the Oakland Planning and Development Corp., a non-profit that "owns and manages 80 low-income units and hopes to build 25 more that are accessible on land it bought on Wadsworth Street in West Oakland."

Finally, East Liberty Development "rents 32 scattered units to Section 8 voucher holders, owns an 83-unit building it wants to renovate and enlarge to about 200 units, 20 percent for low-income people, and runs a 41-unit building for low-income residents. It also offers housing for 26 disabled and otherwise homeless people."

The article includes a lot more details about how those land trusts are responding to the pressures of a quickly changing market.

Monday, February 1, 2016 in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.