KEEP PITTSBURGH HOME: MAYOR GAINEY & NEW HACP LEADERSHIP MARK A NEW ERA FOR PUBLIC HOUSING IN PITTSBURGH
Gainey’s HACP Appointees Lead Public Housing Walk and Talk to Highlight Resident-Driven Leadership
Pittsburgh, PA – Today, Mayor Ed Gainey and his newly nominated Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) board members participated in a walk through a section of Manchester Commons, highlighting public housing within and marking a historic shift towards resident-driven leadership.
The nominations highlight Mayor Gainey’s commitment to creating a Housing Authority that reflects the communities it serves—prioritizing deep experience in housing justice, tenant advocacy, and equitable development.
“As Mayor, my commitment is clear: housing is a human right, not a privilege,” said Mayor Ed Gainey. “Today, we are taking another step in shifting power back to the people in our fight to Keep Pittsburgh Home. For the first time, we have the opportunity to build a HACP board that truly reflects the communities it serves—leaders who are deeply rooted in the lived experiences of Pittsburgh residents. These new board members aren’t just experts—they are community leaders who have spent their lives fighting for housing justice. Together, we are setting a new course for HACP—one that centers residents in every decision, increases transparency, and ensures public housing remains a strong and stable resource for Pittsburghers.”
A New Era of Leadership at HACP
Mayor Gainey’s HACP board appointments include:
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Jala Rucker (Reappointment) – A tenant organizer and longtime housing advocate, Rucker successfully organized a tenant council to prevent displacement and continues to fight for eviction protections and resident power in housing policy.
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Wasi Mohamed – Chief of Staff to Congresswoman Summer Lee, Mohamed has worked at both the local and federal levels to advance housing justice and tenant protections, ensuring Pittsburgh’s housing policies align with national advocacy efforts.
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Tammy Thompson – Executive Director of Catapult Greater Pittsburgh, Thompson brings over 20 years of experience in economic justice and anti-poverty initiatives, helping families build financial stability and homeownership pathways.
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Charlise Smith – Founder of WAVE (Willissae’s Agency for Vision and Empowerment), Smith leads efforts in tenant advocacy, rental assistance, and financial education, ensuring housing policies reflect the needs of those most impacted.
"Leadership at HACP should not be distant or disconnected from the people it serves," said Jala Rucker. "I know firsthand the struggles tenants face in this city, and I am committed to making sure those voices are heard—not just in meetings, but in the actual policies that impact our homes and futures."
“Public housing should be a foundation for stability and opportunity—not an afterthought,” said Tammy Thompson. “This board has the chance to set a new standard for resident engagement, where those most affected by housing decisions finally have a real seat at the table.”
Fighting for Public Housing at a Critical Moment
The event comes at a time when public housing is under renewed threat from the federal government, with proposed budget cuts, attacks on tenant protections, and policies that favor corporate landlords over residents. Mayor Gainey and his appointees emphasized the urgency of local leadership in defending Pittsburgh’s affordable housing stock and protecting residents from displacement.
“With the federal government turning its back on public housing, cities like Pittsburgh must take bold action to protect and expand it,” said Wasi Mohamed. “This is about more than preserving housing—it’s about strengthening entire communities.”
Next Steps for HACP’s Leadership
Mayor Gainey sent the nominations for these board members to City Council this past Tuesday. Council has scheduled interviews for the nominees on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 18th with a confirmation vote coming as early as March 25th.
Today’s event underscores the administration’s resident-first approach to governance, and will create new opportunities for collaboration with the newly appointed board members and the communities HACP serves, including:
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Expanding resident engagement initiatives to ensure community voices shape policy;
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Strengthening transparency and accountability in HACP governance; and
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Exploring new partnerships and funding sources to expand and improve affordable housing.
“Accountability starts with leadership, and the residents of Pittsburgh deserve board members who are committed to listening, acting, and fighting for them,” said Charlise Smith. “We will always keep in mind that we’re helping people at the end of the day and they’re not just numbers.”
The Gainey administration and HACP’s new board nominees are committed to ensuring that public housing remains a pillar of affordability, stability, and opportunity for generations to come. While addressing the backlog of repairs, preventing displacement, and ensuring Pittsburghers have a strong voice in shaping housing policy.
About Keep Pittsburgh Home
Keep Pittsburgh Home is a citywide initiative to protect residents from displacement, support homeownership, and prevent housing speculation. By strengthening tools like the Pittsburgh Land Bank, advancing tenant protections, and investing in affordable housing, the campaign aims to ensure that Pittsburgh remains a city where families can afford to live and thrive.
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