Ten new single-family homes will soon be under construction along the 7500 block of Susquehanna St., adjacent to
Helen Faison Arts Academy in Homewood.
The 30-unit residential project will also bring new homes to Braddock Ave., Finance St. and N. Homewood Ave. Construction is expected to start in March. “There’s investment from the community. They’re getting rid of nuisance and abandoned properties. With the new school there, it’s a good complement.,” says David Howe with
Pittsburgh Housing Development Corporation.
The three-bedroom homes will feature 2 1/2 bathrooms,
detached garages and front porches. Homes will sell for $128,000 and are expected to be competed by the fall of 2008. Architect is Homewood-based architect Marvin Miller; contractor is
Mistick Construction.
“We’re identifying buyers. Our organization is accredited to do home ownership counseling. People who take our courses are eligible for matching funds of up to $5,000. That’s a good incentive,” says Rev. Sam Ware, with developer
Building United. “We’re hoping to get sales agreements on these quickly and accelerate the construction schedule.”
The
URA is providing project financing and management services. “It’s making a significant positive impact. The genesis of this project was about four years ago. There were very troubled properties being foreclosed upon by
HUD. Ware’s organization didn’t want them to be bought up by absentee landlords. With the city’s assistance, his organization raised funds to acquire the properties so that they could control them,” says Tom Cummings, with the URA. “Second mortgages are available, making the homes even more affordable to lower- and moderate-income households.”
Writer:
Jennifer BaronSources: Rev. Sam Ware, Building United; David Howe and Tom Cummings, URA
Image courtesy Pittsburgh Housing Development Corporation/URA