Pittsburgh Housing Innovation Lab

We intend to build a framework, “the Pittsburgh Housing Innovation Lab,” that will allow us to trial the efficacy of proposed novel zoning code, investment, and stabilization strategies to preserve publicly owned vacant structures, prioritizing those in the best condition for affordable housing, which will enable us to address tax-delinquent properties citywide. These zoning strategies will be developed alongside our Comprehensive Planning efforts, enabling community goals like sustainability and transit access.

We have attempted zoning changes, but these were limited to single neighborhoods. Our strategy targets citywide changes that will benefit from consultants’ expertise to develop zoning solutions that are generalizable for citywide rules, but also flexible enough to accommodate each of our 90 unique neighborhoods. Our stabilization efforts will act as pilot programs for our zoning changes, becoming a forum to engage the public and test their efficacy before any expansion.

Also Read: Itasca Project Housing Innovation Report