Pittsburgh housing fund board votes on $10 million proposed 2024 budget

Pittsburgh’s Housing Opportunity Fund advisory board on Thursday voted to support a proposed $10 million spending plan, though members acknowledged there’s more need than the money can address.

“It’s infinite need and limited funding,” board member Adrienne Walnoha said ahead of the board’s vote Thursday.

The proposed spending plan for the city’s affordable housing trust fund includes $2 million for the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s Rental Gap Program. The program provides loans for nonprofit developers to create or preserve affordable housing.

Under the proposed spending plan, $1.75 million would be designated for housing that is affordable for people making no more than 30% of the area median income. Another $250,000 is earmarked for housing that is affordable to people making no more than half of the area median income.

The area median income ranges from $70,300 for one person to $132,600 for a household of eight, according to the URA.

The spending plan also includes $3 million for a program that provides financial assistance to eligible homeowners looking to make home improvements and $1.4 million for a program that offers legal services for housing-related matters, like title services, foreclosure protection and mediation for renters.

Also included in the budget is $850,000 for housing stabilization efforts. That includes help with rent, mortgage or utilities for people making no more than 50% of the area median income.

The URA’s down payment and closing cost assistance program is slated to get $700,000 next year, while $650,000 would support for-sale home development initiatives.

The proposal includes no money for the Small Landlord Fund. The program offers financial support to landlords with up to 10 units so they can preserve existing affordable housing or convert market-rate or vacant housing into affordable housing.

No new money for landlords

The Small Landlord Fund this year received $400,000 from the Housing Opportunity Fund. Most of that money has not yet been spent and would be available next year, according to Evan Miller, the URA’s director of housing.

Housing Opportunity Fund advisory board member Karen Garrett voiced concerns about providing no additional cash for the Small Landlord Fund. She was the only board member to vote against the proposed spending plan Thursday.

“We see a lot of small landlords that are struggling with houses that are primarily their bread and butter,” Garrett said. “There (are) just so many small landlords out there that are really just needing help.”

Board member Lena Andrews raised worries about providing less money for the Rental Gap Program. Last year, it received $3.8 million from the fund — nearly double what it’s set to receive in 2024.

Money from this year unspent

Information presented to the board Thursday indicated that $2.5 million of the prior allocation was still uncommitted.

“We have limited resources and a lot of wonderful competing priorities,” Walnoha said, describing the proposed spending plan as a culmination of lengthy discussions and compromises.

Board members indicated they planned to continue discussions about what programs the Housing Opportunity Fund should be prioritizing, even after the spending plan is approved.

The spending plan next moves to the URA board for their approval. Once the URA board votes on it, the plan goes to City Council for a final vote.