KEEP PITTSBURGH HOME: MAYOR ED GAINEY AND LOCAL LEADERS HIGHLIGHT HOW THE LAND BANK TO PROTECT AFFORDABLE HOUSING & FIGHT SPECULATORS

The event was part of the Keep Pittsburgh Home campaign, which advocates for renters, homeowners, public housing investments, and regulations on short-term rentals to ensure Pittsburgh remains a city for its residents, not profit-driven investors. 

A Proactive Strategy Against Housing Displacement 

Mayor Gainey addressed the growing housing crisis, emphasizing that corporate investors are driving up home prices and displacing long-time residents, and destabilizing communities. “We need to keep Pittsburgh home. We need to stabilize our neighborhoods. The Land Bank is about that—but we won’t stop there. We’re pushing for policy changes to protect renters, prevent displacement, and act with fairness and dignity,” Gainey said. “Housing is a human right, and we need everyone in this fight to rebuild our neighborhoods and repopulate our communities.” 

Since 2010, corporate buyers have increased their share of Pittsburgh home purchases from 16% to 25%. City leaders stressed that the city will not allow speculators to control its neighborhoods. 

Strengthening the Land Bank 

Before Gainey’s administration, the Land Bank, created in 2014, had been largely inactive. Under Gainey’s leadership, however, it is now a key tool for returning vacant properties to community ownership for affordable housing. 

Councilmember Bobby Wilson, chair of the Land Bank Board, emphasized how in recent years, with his and Mayor Gainey’s partnership, the Land Bank has been transformed from an ineffective, stagnant entity into a dynamic tool actively returning vacant properties to community ownership. Stating, “The Land Bank is a powerful multifaceted tool—a battery that will work forever if we invest in it properly. For years, vacant lots sat untouched, but now we are seeing real movement. We’re making sure these properties serve Pittsburgh families, not out-of-town investors.” 

Wilson also highlighted initiatives that allow community organizations and homeowners to directly acquire properties, including a program transitioning urban farms and community gardens to full ownership. 

Community-Led Development and Long-Term Stability 

Sonya Tilghman, Executive Director of Hazelwood Initiative, emphasized the importance of community-driven development. “Our neighborhoods should be places where families can put down roots and thrive. By working with the Pittsburgh Land Bank, we have been able to transform vacant properties into permanently affordable homes,” she said. 

Scaling Up Impact 

“Decades of blight don’t repair themselves, and we need continued investment to stabilize our neighborhoods,” said Susheela Nemani-Stanger Executive Director of the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) to stress the need to scale the Land Bank’s impact. Citing the $3 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding that’s being used to stabilize properties and prevent speculative purchases, Nemani-Stanger expressed “Projects like this don’t just happen because we have effective tools, like the Land Bank, extremely qualified people, and partnerships.  We need continued investment to stabilize our neighborhoods,” she said. 

A Commitment to Affordable Housing for Future Generations 

Councilmember Barb Warwick emphasized the importance of public investment in housing, particularly in communities like Hazelwood where rising property values threaten long-term residents. “We are proving that a combination of city leadership, community-driven projects, and nonprofit partnerships can make affordability a reality,” Warwick said. 

Federal Support and Advocacy 

Speakers acknowledged the role of federal support in advancing Pittsburgh’s housing initiatives, with Congresswoman Summer Lee sponsoring the Land Bank Act to provide additional resources for local land banks and community-led development. 

Mayor Gainey concluded with a call to action: “We are reversing the trend of speculators taking over our neighborhoods. We are fighting to keep our communities whole. Pittsburgh belongs to the people who live here, and together, we will Keep Pittsburgh Home.”