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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 09, 2024 |
Olga George
Press Secretary
Mayor's Office
olga.george@pittsburghpa.gov
412-627-0679 |
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Senator Costa, County Executive Innamorato, and Mayor Gainey Celebrate the Passage of the Longtime Owner Occupant Tax Exemption Program (LOOP)
Pittsburgh, PA – Today, State Senator Jay Costa, County Executive Sara Innamorato, and Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey celebrated the passage of the Longtime Owner Occupant Tax Exemption Program (LOOP), a groundbreaking piece of legislation aimed at protecting Pittsburgh residents from the burden of skyrocketing property taxes.
The passage of the LOOP is a victory for long-term homeowners in neighborhoods experiencing rapid property value increases.
Senator Costa, who led the legislation in the Pennsylvania State Senate, said “I am delighted to be celebrating the passage of LOOP with so many leaders who share in the core belief that the people who built our communities belong in our communities. By allowing the City of Pittsburgh to create a tax relief program for long-term owner occupants, we can ensure that people stay in the homes and communities they love. I am so grateful for the support of local leaders, housing advocates, and legislators across the political spectrum who got this over the finish line, and I look forward to the next steps in this process.”
Mayor Gainey emphasized the importance of LOOP in maintaining Pittsburgh’s sense of community, saying, “I’m proud to support this legislation that will help keep people in the houses they made into homes. No resident should be pushed out of their neighborhood because of development, and this program will help make sure people can continue to call their neighborhood home.”
“While we explore ways to create a more equitable and predictable approach to property taxes, policies that will protect long term owner-occupants are an incredibly important piece of the puzzle. We need to protect the families that have been here during the tough times while welcoming new neighbors and investment to Pittsburgh and Allegheny County,” said Sara Innamorato, County Executive.
The LOOP program, now signed into law as Act 53 of 2024, allows Mayor Gainey and City Council to exempt or defer property tax increases for homeowners who have lived in their homes for a certain period of time in rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods. This legislation is particularly significant as Pittsburgh continues to experience increased investment and development pressure in some communities, putting longtime owner-occupants at risk of being priced out of their homes.
The City of Pittsburgh, under the leadership of Mayor Gainey, is committed to implementing LOOP effectively, ensuring that residents across the city can benefit from the program as soon as possible.
For more information about the Longtime Owner Occupant Tax Exemption Program, please visit SenatorCosta.com/LOOP
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