As Pittsburgh prepares to begin a new chapter under Mayor-elect Corey O’Connor, the Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group (PCRG) views this moment as an opportunity to center neighborhood voices and recommit to a development strategy that is responsible, equitable and grounded in community experience.

Transitions in leadership can create uncertainty, but they also open the door for renewed collaboration, fresh ideas and a chance to carry forward the strongest elements of what came before.

Over the past several months, we’ve been encouraged to hear O’Connor mention the need for responsible development. For PCRG, responsible development is more than a slogan — it’s a framework. It means that growth must be community-driven, not imposed. It means that affordability is a baseline requirement, not an optional add-on. And it means that development must enhance the lives of people who already live here, not price them out or destabilize long-established communities.

Neighborhoods across Pittsburgh have repeatedly voiced a clear expectation: Progress must not come at the cost of displacement. As Pittsburgh looks to attract new residents and investment, it cannot lose sight of those who have stayed, built roots and contributed to the fabric of the city for generations.

Growing as a region requires a dual approach. Yes, we must continue creating a city that people want to move to — but we must also strengthen the services and support, programs that protect affordability for the people who are already here. Preserving long-time homeownership, expanding rental protections, investing in community-led planning, and strengthening housing tools such as the Housing Opportunity Fund, Land Bank reforms and inclusionary zoning are not competing goals — they’re the foundation of sustainable growth.

PCRG sees a promise in O’Connor’s early signals. His willingness to emphasize continuity where it matters, especially policies rooted in neighborhood advocacy, offers a pathway to build lessons from prior administrations. Effective leadership is not about taking political credit; it’s about advancing what communities have asked for, even when those ideas originated elsewhere.

Many of the policies Mayor Ed Gainey advanced — like expanding Registered Community Organization (RCO) engagement, modernizing land tools and strengthening affordable housing programs — were shaped by residents, RCOs and partners across the city. Continuing this approach would demonstrate a commitment to people, not politics.

As we move into 2025, PCRG stands ready to collaborate with the new administration, Pittsburgh City Council, community organizations and partner agencies. We will continue advocating for development strategies rooted in equity — those that strengthen neighborhoods, protect affordability, expand opportunities and honor community voice.

This is the moment to build a city where both new and longtime residents can thrive, where growth is shared and where the benefits of development reach every neighborhood.

A change in leadership offers a chance to reset expectations and sharpen priorities. But it also provides a reminder: The work is long-term, and the vision must be bigger than any single administration. PCRG looks forward to working with O’Connor to shape a future that reflects the aspirations of Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods — one built on responsibility, inclusion and the belief that a stronger city is one where everyone has a place.

Chris Rosselot is policy director for the Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group.

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