Community Corner

Housing Groups Partner to Provide More Than 20 Renovations in Wilkinsburg

Check out the latest news from the Wilkinsburg Community Development Corp.

Three nonprofit housing groups, facilitated by the Wilkinsburg Community Development Corp. have come together to form the Wilkinsburg Affordable Housing Coalition and provide extensive renovation assistance to targeted homeowners in the Princeton Park and Park Triangle areas of the borough.

, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh and Wilkinsburg Christian Housing have all previously served Wilkinsburg residents.

“It’s a perfect blend of the three agencies,” said Tracey Evans, executive director of the WCDC. “The coalition of Rebuilding Together, partnering with Habitat’s Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative program, and Wilkinsburg Christian Housing resources will demonstrate the productivity feasible when working in collaboration. The Coalition will bring the specialized capabilities of these groups together to make an impact on targeted areas in the Borough.”

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“A homeowner previously served by Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh through Rebuilding Day’s Volunteer Renovation Program will receive new fascia, siding, gutters, and paint from Habitat,” commented Steve Hellner-Burris, executive director of RTP. “Volunteers from all agencies as well as our corporate partners also will help with repairs to his fence and stairs.”

“We’re excited to partner with Rebuilding Together,” added Maggie Withrow, executive director of HFHGP. “We’ve worked with RTP before and know that their experience in Wilkinsburg will jump start our ability to effectively serve more residents in the community.”

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Peoples Natural Gas has provided a $20,000 grant to HFHGP for homeowner renovations this year, with additional funding available through a matching grant opportunity. These funds, along with the Coalition’s existing financial resources and staff, will provide renovations for at least 20 homeowners this summer. The Coalition continues to raise additional resources, which will enable this partnership to continue for several years. Work will begin with a major kickoff event on April 28, and will continue through the summer.

“Formalizing the coalition will not only lead to improved renovations for individuals, but also will have a much greater impact on the community,” Hellner-Burris added. “We’ll not only share agency resources and volunteers, but client homeowners as well.”

Renovation assistance will include weatherization, ramps and porches, carpentry and painting. All recipients of assistance from the Coalition will be homeowners who fit certain income and other criteria. Homeowners will be contacted for the opportunity to apply to the program.

All agencies are volunteer-based and will be looking for the support of the community. The Borough of Wilkinsburg Code Enforcement Department will continue to inform and facilitate the work of the Coalition by providing information to area homeowners when building code violations are evident and owners have nowhere else to turn for assistance.


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