Pittsburgh Land Bank approves multiple property acquisitions to support affordable housing; one director abstains

The Pittsburgh Land Bank board on May 8 approved authorizations to acquire multiple properties and convey them to developers building affordable housing, and accepted the April financial report.

The board read and passed Resolution 25 to acquire several city-owned lots on Chalfont Street (block 15M, lots 249, 250, 251, 252, 254, 255, 265 and 266 in the 18th ward) using ARPA funds and to convey the parcels to the Belt Super Consensus Group (or an affiliate) for $60,000. Staff said these lots are phase two of an affordable for-sale housing project and that the sale will enable the buyer to obtain a site-control letter needed for Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) funding applications. Director Jennifer Cashweight, who was identified as the applicant for related work, abstained from the vote; the motion carried.

The board also approved Resolution 26 to acquire four URA-owned lots in the 18th ward (block 14E, lots 239, 241, 242 and 244) using ARPA funds and to convey them to WT Daniels Development Group or an affiliate of Tina Daniels for $30,000. Staff described the intended use as new affordable townhomes and said the authorization provides a site-control letter so the developer can apply for FHLB grant/loan rounds. During discussion staff confirmed the Land Bank will not require purchase if the developer does not secure FHLB funding and that the Land Bank waits to complete any purchase until after awards are announced.

The board amended a prior authorization with Resolution 27 to correctly acquire and transfer 372 Latimer Street (block 116G, lot 42, 26th ward) from the Urban Redevelopment Authority and to prepare the property for sale at up to $7,500 using ARPA funds; the intended buyer is the current adopt-a-lot leaseholder, David Maza. Staff said a recording error had previously misidentified the parcel’s ownership and the amendment corrects that error.

Resolution 29 authorized the Land Bank to accept a donation of block 14N lot 219 (30th ward) from Nicole Green and to clear title at a cost not to exceed $5,000. Staff explained the owner had mistakenly believed the property had been foreclosed years earlier and donation was the practical pathway to resolve a collapsed roof and tax delinquency; the lot will be cleared and neighbors have expressed interest in side‑yard purchases once title is clear.

Board members emphasized that the conveyances tied to FHLB applications are contingent on funding awards; staff said site-control letters enable applications but purchases and closings will not proceed unless projects secure financing. The board approved the motions by voice vote; where abstentions or other vote nuances were recorded the meeting transcript notes them (for example, Director Jennifer Cashweight’s abstention on Resolution 25).

The meeting closed after staff updates on pipeline and pilot programs and the board set its next meeting for June 12, 2026.