Breaking down barriers: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh joins national initiative to increase the number of Black homeowners in the United States.
PITTSBURGH, Dec. 12, 2022 – Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh (Habitat Pittsburgh) is joining Habitat for Humanity organizations across the country to launch an initiative that aims to address the homeownership gap between Black and White households in the United States, which is at its widest in 40 years. The homeownership rate amongst Pittsburgh’s Black residents is 42%, much less than non-Hispanic Whites. According to a November 2018 Brookings report, “differences in home and neighborhood quality do not fully explain the devaluation of homes in Black neighborhoods. Homes of similar quality in neighborhoods with similar amenities are worth 23 percent less ($48,000 per home on average amounting to $156 Billion in cumulative losses) in majority Black neighborhoods, compared to those with very few or no Black residents.” Habitat’s Advancing Black Homeownership initiative marks a renewed commitment to deepen efforts and inject millions of additional dollars into the ongoing work nationally and at the local level to increase homeownership opportunities for Black households.
Dr. Howard B. Slaughter, Jr., President & CEO of Habitat Pittsburgh and former Regional Director of Fannie Mae’s Western Pennsylvania Pittsburgh office said, “Increasing homeownership for all, with an emphasis on increasing Black homeownership is a key driver in community stabilization, wealth creation and quality of life. Habitat Pittsburgh continues working to alleviate the obstacles faced by those seeking homeownership by providing decent and affordable housing with low down payments and a 30-year zero percent fixed rate mortgage. Homeownership continues to be the way most Americans gain their wealth and the benefits that emanate as a result of homeownership is more valued today than ever before.”
Habitat Pittsburgh has a strong track record of minority lending, selling 95% of its homes to Black and or minority families over the past six years. The organization prioritizes building in celebrated neighborhoods of Color that have been impacted by decades of disinvestment. Habitat Pittsburgh built seven new homes in Homewood, one was supported by Habitat for Humanity International’s Advancing Black Homeownership Initiative. Habitat Pittsburgh also recently broke ground on a new townhome development in Larimer, continuing its home building throughout Allegheny County, including predominately minority neighborhoods. Learn more about Habitat’s Advancing Black Homeownership initiative.
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About Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh is a nonprofit that provides affordable homeownership and home repair opportunities to limited-income families in the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. Our mission is to bring people together to build homes, communities, and hope in Allegheny County. Our vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to call home. We are an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a global nonprofit founded in 1976 that serves over 1,200 communities in the United States. To learn more, visit www.habitatpittsburgh.org.