State of the Land Report: October 2024 Posted on October 22, 2024 by [email protected] Share this post State of the Land Report: October 2024The State of the Land Report is our monthly update where we will be educating and sharing out about everything you need to know about vacant land policy in the City of Pittsburgh!Checking in with the Pittsburgh Land BankThe success of the Pittsburgh Land Bank is key in addressing the vacant lot issue. A working land bank can remove barriers and facilitate land transfer to responsible and productive landowners. We caught up with Sally Stadelman, the manager of the Pittsburgh Land Bank (PLB). Here are some updates Sally shared. (Editor’s note: some of the responses have been edited for length and clarity.)Grounded: The last time the PLB was featured in the State of the Land Report, Pittsburgh City Council had issues with the Tri-Party Cooperation Agreement. Can you provide some updates on your intergovernmental cooperation agreements, where you are in the process, and what that means for the land bank?Sally Stadelman: The amendment to the Tri-Party agreement, which codified a process for the City to transfer property to the Land Bank, was passed last July. The agreement was signed in the Fall by the City and the PLB. Since the agreement has been signed, the City Council has authorized over 140 properties to be transferred to the Pittsburgh Land Bank!G: What was your biggest win in the past year?SS: We’ve been hard at work building and executing our property pipeline. From the initial review of a potential acquisition, working closely with Community Development Corporation (CDC) partners, seeking approvals from City Council and our board, building relationships with contractors and realtors, cutting grass and cleaning out houses, filing our first Quiet Title actions, placing sales signage, there’s so much to do to keep our inventory moving along, and we think it’s a huge win to be able to get to the work we were designed to do!Some highlights of completed and upcoming sales include:Cutting the ribbon on three new affordable homes constructed on lots sold by the PLB to Hazelwood Initiative on Flowers Avenue. Constructing an affordable fourplex on Hazelwood Avenue on property sold by PLB to the City of Bridges Community Land Trust. Clearing the title on 15 Single Family Homes in Elliott, Sheraden, Beltzhoover, and the Hill District to be sold to the Pittsburgh Housing Development Corporation (PHDC) where they will be rehabbed and re-sold as affordable housing to an owner-occupant making 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) or below. Forever protecting The Olde Allegheny Community Garden in the Mexican War Streets, Healcrest Urban Farm and the Kinkaid Street Community Garden in Garfield, and Ballfield Farm in Perry Hilltop as community assets by facilitating their sale to the Allegheny Land Trust.G: What are some of the barriers keeping the land bank from functioning properly? What support do you need to be successful?SS: The Pittsburgh Land Bank is currently negotiating an agreement with the City, School District, and Allegheny County that will determine a process and cost for the PLB to use the Sheriff’s Sale to acquire property. The Sheriff’s Sale is a streamlined process that allows the Land Bank to use its priority bid to buy property directly at the Sheriff’s Sale, instead of competing against speculators. This is a crucial tool to allow the Land Bank to intervene before a property deteriorates to the point that it can’t be saved and will save thousands of dollars in renovation costs for the Community Development Corporations, non-profits, and future homeowners alike, allowing us to add more properties to the affordable housing pipeline.The second is funding and capacity of course! While we are buzzing along with some temporary federal dollars , the Pittsburgh Land Bank will need a consistent budget to keep growing to be able to effectively tackle vacant and abandoned property Citywide.We hope residents continue to be engaged in [vacant land] remediation and affordable housing efforts. Just submitting tickets to 311 when you know a house is abandoned or a lot is overgrown provides crucial data to help us figure out what properties may need intervention.You can learn more about the Pittsburgh Land Bank by attending its board meetings on Zoom on the second Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m. or watching the recordings on the City’s YouTube channel. What are your thoughts? We want to hear from you!Email [email protected]Interested in Owning a Vacant Lot? We Can Help!Have you been taking care of an empty lot in your neighborhood? Not sure how to start the process to gain ownership of it? Have you tried in the past but faced administrative hurdles that were difficult to overcome? Navigating the bureaucratic land recycling process can be difficult, especially when you have a job, children, or any other responsibility on your plate. Grounded’s Land Use Policy Team is here to help make the process go as smoothly as possible. We know the barriers in acquiring vacant land and are ready to take the lead so you don’t fall through the cracks.We’ve got your back!Book a Meeting with Our TeamAdvocacy 101: Election Day is November 5th!Your vote is a powerful tool in shaping the future of our City and community. By voting, you can create a political landscape that supports neighborhood revitalization and the transformation of vacant land into community assets. Pennsylvania and Allegheny County are key swing areas. Your vote could be the one that determines our direction, especially in local races! By voting, we advocate for change so that our communities have the opportunity to grow and thrive for generations to come.Did you move since the last election? Not sure where your polling location is? Check your voter registration status (The polling location is next to your registration status.) Voting early or by mail is a safe and convenient way to ensure your voice is heard while avoiding long lines and any last-minute barriers on Election Day. Early Voting started on October 15th. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot in Allegheny County is 5 pm on October 29th. Request a mail-in ballotFind vote drop-off locationsYou can return your ballot or vote early at the following satellite election offices in Allegheny County: Learn more on the Allegheny County website. Our Vacant Land Advocacy Network (VLAN) is hosting a series of workshops this fall!Wednesday, Oct 30th, 6:00 - 7:30 PM: Vacant Land: History, Memory, & Movement Wednesday, November 6th, 6:00 - 7:30 PM: Who, What, Where: Community- & Power-Mapping Saturday, November 9th, 1:00 - 2:30 PM: The Rust Belt: a Post-industry City, the Environment, & Justice Wednesday, November 13th, 6:00 - 7:30 PM: Public Narrative Saturday, November 16th, 3:00 - 4:30 PM: The Personal Narrative Informing The Public Narrative Location: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - East Liberty (130 S Whitfield St, Pittsburgh, PA 15206) Subscribe to Advocacy Network Grounded is working to improve the condition of vacant lots by developing sustainable solutions that can address the environmental and racial injustices currently entrenched in our property management system. The lack of a comprehensive and unified strategy to care for vacant lots disproportionately affects low-income communities of color. We must ensure that the process of land recycling and maintenance is conducted equitably, transparently, and through an anti-racist framework. Help make change happen in local, state, and federal land-use policies, voice your concerns about vacant land in your community, share how you want to see vacant land transformed, and support your neighbors in obtaining land access and ownership.Land Use News Pittsburgh City Council Proposes Updates to the Side Yard ProgramA new proposal in Pittsburgh aims to limit the city's Side Yard Sale Program, which allows property owners to purchase vacant city-owned lots for $200, to only homeowners living next to the lot. The legislation, introduced by Councilwoman Deb Gross, would prevent landlords and speculators from benefiting from the program's discounted prices. Supporters argue that homeowners should have priority, as they are more likely to maintain and improve the land. However, some city leaders, like Councilman Bobby Wilson, worry that excluding landlords could lead to more neglected property, as vacant lots may remain unstewarded. Critics also believe that allowing landlords to buy these lots helps reduce the city's maintenance costs and puts the properties back on the tax rolls.Learn more from the Trib.Potential Zoning Changes in Pittsburgh Spark DebateMayor Ed Gainey’s administration has proposed a significant overhaul of Pittsburgh’s zoning laws to address the city’s affordable housing crisis and prevent the displacement of low- and moderate-income Black residents. Key proposals include expanding affordable housing requirements for new developments, removing parking mandates, promoting multi-family housing near transit hubs, and allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Supporters argue these changes will help modernize the city’s zoning code and increase housing supply. Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) is the most controversial aspect of this proposal. IZ requires developers of projects with 20 or more units to set aside 10% of units for residents below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Critics argue that IZ raises construction costs, makes new developments financially unfeasible, and raises rent for tenants. Supporters assert that it helps create affordable units and fosters economic diversity, citing successes in neighborhoods like Lawrenceville where the policy has been in place.Learn more from WESA. Provide public comment on the Engage PGH page through November 5th.Allegheny County Proposed Property Tax Rate IncreaseDuring her budget presentation to the County Council, Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato proposed changing the county's property taxes by increasing the tax rate by 2.2 mills*. A homeowner with a $100,000 property would see an increase of about $15 per month in taxes due to this proposal. This would be the first such increase outside of a reassessment in years as the county’s millage rate has remained at 4.73 since 2011. This increase aims to generate approximately $160 million in new revenue to address a projected $80 million deficit for 2024, driven by declining property tax revenue and the end of federal pandemic relief funds. The tax increase will require the approval of at least 10 of the 15 council members and has sparked discussions about potential cost-saving measures within the county budget. Proponents argue that the additional revenue will help maintain critical services such as public safety, health programs, and infrastructure improvements that are vital for the county's overall well-being and economic stability.*Millage is a tax rate defined as the dollars assessed for each $1,000 of value; one mill is one dollar per $1,000 of assessed value. Mathematically the equation is: Taxable value ÷ 1,000 × millage rate = Property Tax Owed.Additional Resources & Upcoming EventsCivics Education Overview - Oct 23409 Dinwiddie Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219Doors open 5:15 PMComplete this form or leave a message at (412) 697-4692 to registerThis learning framework will cover essential topics to help you make an impact in your community:Political Campaigns: Learn the ins and outs of volunteering and campaign participation.Governmental Structures: Explore the different levels of government and their responsibilities.The Power of Voting: Understand how your vote influences decisions and policies.How to Run for Office: Get the tools and knowledge needed to run for public office.Homebuyer Seminar for Residential Rehab Properties - Oct 27East Liberty Library (130 S Whitfield St, Pittsburgh, PA 15206)5:30-7:30 PMEast Hills Rain Garden Block Party - Nov 2ndRegisterTell Us Your Land Acquisition Story! Have you tried to acquire vacant land through one of the 8 vacant land ownership pathways? Do you want to try to acquire land? What is your feedback? Tell Us Your Story