PITTSBURGH — The landscape of Homewood is undergoing a tangible transformation as Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh officially broke ground on three new homes along Tioga Street this week. The project marks a significant expansion of the organization’s ongoing efforts to foster neighborhood stability and long-term residency in the area.
These new builds will sit directly adjacent to three homes previously completed by the non-profit in 2022, creating a cohesive cluster of residential development. Dr. Howard B. Slaughter, Jr., president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh, emphasized that this project is about more than just construction; it is about building a community foundation.
“There are a lot of benefits for communities when families become homeowners,” Dr. Slaughter said during the ceremony. “When you’re a homeowner, you take care of your home, you build equity. You’re concerned with the community around you; all those things are a byproduct of being a homeowner.”
For Dr. Slaughter, the motivation behind the initiative is to counteract the effects of transience in urban neighborhoods. He noted that high concentrations of transient residents can often result in a lack of neighborhood stabilization, and by planting deep roots through homeownership, the organization hopes to foster long-term community pride and connectivity.
The project is supported by a partnership with the City of Pittsburgh, as the land utilized for the builds was acquired through the City of Pittsburgh Land Bank. Mayor Corey O’Connor highlighted the city’s strategic focus on revitalizing vacant parcels, many of which are remnants of homes that once stood long ago.
“When we look at the land bank, the city has thousands of parcels of land. We can’t build all at once, but we do have infrastructure money to clean the sites out,” Mayor O’Connor explained.
To ensure the path to homeownership remains accessible, each of the three homes will be sold with a 30-year, 0% fixed-interest rate mortgage. This financial structure is designed to provide security and predictability for the incoming families. Habitat for Humanity board member Christina Morascyzk underscored the philosophy driving this model, clarifying that the program is intended to be a partnership rather than a gift.
“This is not a handout; this is a hand up for hard-working families who need it,” Morascyzk said.
As excavation begins, excitement is mounting for the families set to move in. Dr. Slaughter confirmed that the families involved include children and that the future residents are already looking forward to this “next phase of development.”
Habitat for Humanity officials stated they expect construction to move quickly, with an ambitious goal of completing the three homes within the next six months. As these structures rise on Tioga Street, they serve as a testament to the city’s broader mission of reclaiming vacant space to provide sustainable housing solutions for Pittsburgh’s hardworking families.
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