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HOF board authorizes $255,735 grant to Hilltop Alliance to rehab four homes for resale
Summary
The Housing Opportunity Fund advisory board voted to authorize a grant of up to $255,735 to Hilltop Alliance to rehabilitate four scattered-site homes in Allentown and Knoxville for sale to households at or below 80% AMI; one board member abstained.
The Housing Opportunity Fund (HOF) advisory board on March 4 authorized the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) to enter a for-sale development grant agreement with Hilltop Alliance in an amount not to exceed $255,735 to rehabilitate four scattered-site single-family homes in the Allentown and Knoxville neighborhoods of Pittsburgh.
The grant will support rehabilitation of one two‑bedroom and three three‑bedroom homes owned by Hilltop Alliance; one property was acquired from the Land Bank in February. Jared Clayton, a residential lending analyst at the URA, told the board construction is planned to begin in April 2025 with completion targeted for February (year not specified).
Clayton said the project budget includes HOF funding alongside other sources: a Federal Home Loan Bank grant for $600,000, a Westbank construction loan being pursued, and an existing PNC line of credit. The URA presentation recited a requested HOF grant of up to $255,735 and additional financing lines to cover an estimated development cost (full project total not specified in the board presentation).
Mohawk (last name not specified), identified as director of construction and redevelopment for Hilltop Alliance, told the board the four rehabilitated houses will be held by the City of Bridges Land Trust and that the Land Trust, Catapult and Hilltop Alliance maintain pipelines of potential buyers to identify households interested in purchasing the homes.
Board member Ellie Fisher moved to authorize the agreement “in an amount not to exceed $255,735 sourced from the Housing Opportunity Fund with Hilltop Alliance or a related entity for the rehabilitation of 4 ScatteredSite units located in the Allentown and Knoxville neighborhoods, Ward 18 and 30, City of Pittsburgh.” Karen Garrett seconded the motion. Tanika Harris recorded an abstention; the motion carried.
The URA staff noted a minor address-mapping caution for one site (11 East Emmenden Amond Avenue) and provided the parcel ID (14G290) for clarity when searching records and mapping services.
Board discussion before the vote focused on buyer pipelines and homebuyer supports. Mohawk said Hilltop Alliance will coordinate with the Land Trust and Catapult on outreach, and confirmed Catapult will provide financial education resources for buyers.
The board did not set a sale price during the meeting; URA staff said affordability will be preserved at or below 80% AMI "in perpetuity" for these HOF‑supported units, per the grant terms presented.
The board thanked Hilltop Alliance and moved on to the next agenda item.
