AARP Pennsylvania Commends Pittsburgh Mayor for Historic Affordable Housing Inclusion in Oakland Crossings Plan

AARP Pennsylvania applauds Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey for reaching a significant agreement with developer Walnut Capital on the proposed zoning for the Oakland Crossings project. The deal comes after AARP Pennsylvania - in addition to Oakland advocates and the City of Pittsburgh’s Planning Department - raised concerns that the original plan, which was introduced in 2021, lacked a commitment to affordable housing, coordination with the broader Oakland community, and meaningful resident input. 

Shortly after taking office in January, Mayor Gainey expressed his desire to make Pittsburgh more equitable and affordable for everyone. As such, he delayed decisions on the proposed Oakland plan in order to listen to residents and community groups concerned about the project.  During this pause, AARP Pennsylvania delivered a letter to the Mayor’s Office and submitted testimony to the City’s Planning Commission that outlined our concerns and offered recommendations to improve the plan.  

Announced on March 7, the now revised Oakland plan marks the first time in Pittsburgh’s history that a private developer - Walnut Capital - has agreed to use the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh’s Housing Choice Voucher Program to reach inclusionary zoning requirements, whereby a certain percentage of affordable housing units must be made available.

The updated Oakland Crossings project reflects a commitment by Walnut Capital that in buildings with more than 20 housing units, 10% would be affordable for 35 years, backed by Housing Choice Vouchers. The revised deal includes narrower and more clearly defined zoning and a public benefit agreement that creates requirements for work going to minority and women-owned business enterprises, calls for increased food access, and creates over two hundred union construction jobs.

Following this announcement, the City released the new draft of the Oakland Plan and associated zoning proposal for review and public comment, which runs from March 7 to April 6.  The draft plan can be reviewed here.  A Virtual Open House Meeting has been scheduled for March 23, from 10am to 2pm.  A Zoom link will be made available on the City’s website soon.  The City Planning Commission is additionally holding briefings on March 22 and April 5 and will hold a hearing on April 19.

The AARP Livable Communities Initiative believes that a livable community is one that is safe and secure; and offers choices in where to live and how to get around.  It equitably serves and provides opportunities for residents of all ages, ability levels, incomes, races, ethnicities, and other backgrounds to engage fully in civic, economic, and social life; and allows residents to remain in their homes and communities as they age.  AARP Pennsylvania is committed to advocating for the livability of Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods and looks forward to continuing to work with Mayor Gainey and his Administration, community leaders, and our fellow Pittsburghers to make our communities more livable and age-friendly for everyone.