Pittsburgh Review

The City of Pittsburgh recently held public hearings both online and in person for the residents to discuss the needs of their communities, and two more meetings are scheduled for April 13 and April 14.

The first public hearing was held at Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on March 14, a recent release on the City's website said. The second meeting was held at the City County Building at 1 p.m. on March 18. There were meetings at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on March 21 as well, at the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers. The meetings were also available on Zoom. The City launched a community engagement survey to help narrow down priorities of what should be done with the 2022 Housing and Urban Development (HUD) spending plan.

"We need to hear from you," Mayor Ed Gainey said in a recent press release on the City's website. "These important federal funds go directly to address the needs in our neighborhoods across the city. It is important for you to use your voice to guide us as we create our annual action plan."

The City anticipates it will be notified by HUD that it will be eligible to receive a number of entitlement grants, including $14 million for the Community Development Block Grant (CDGB), which is focused on affordable housing, anti-poverty programs and infrastructure; $2.3 million for the Home Investment Partnership (HOME), which will go toward funding for government and non-profit partners to create affordable housing for low-income households; $1.2 million for the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) that will help emergency or transition shelters; and $1.2 million for the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA), to help low-income people with HIV or AIDS and their families, a release by Engage Pittsburgh said.

Two more meeting dates are scheduled. There will be meetings at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on April 13 at the Allegheny Branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, located at 1230 Federal Street. At 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on April 14, there will be virtual-only meetings. To join virtually to either meeting, log onto us02web.zoom.us/j/8144808001 with Zoom meeting ID 814 480 8001.

Information about the 2022 Annual Action Plan along with the community survey can be found in the ENGAGEPGH platform at Engage Pittsburgh on the City's website.

Those in need of special accommodations or bilingual services can contact Community Development Senior Manager Whitney Finnstrom at 412-255-2211 or email Whitney.Finnstrom@pittsburghpa.gov.