Update

• After an 11-hour meeting, the Pittsburgh Planning Commission approved Mayor Gainey’s zoning proposal for affordable homes. The proposal now goes to City Council for a final vote.

On the Docket

• The Council considered 3 new changes to Pittsburgh's Home Rule Charter:
  • To align with the city's existing discrimination policies
  • To limit future amendments from restricting or expanding the city's authority
  • Restricting the Lease and/or Sale of the City’s Water and Sewer System to a private company
• Council held a special meeting on ongoing problems with NB Affordable Properties, a manager of affordable housing.

Council continued discussion and heard public comments on three proposed questions related to amending the Pittsburgh Home Rule Charter. These referenda could be included on the May 2025 Primary Election ballot. Council’s votes authorized the ordinances necessary to have the referenda added to the ballot by the Allegheny County Board of Elections.

• Councilperson Coghill expressed concern that referendum questions can be confusing to voters if not worded carefully and wanted to ensure none of the proposed items are misleading, even unintentionally.
• Council members expressed concern that a community-advocacy-led referendum intended to bar the city from doing business with companies tied to Israel could hamper Council’s ability to fulfill its obligations. Both the anti-discrimination referendum and the referendum addressing the potential misuse of the Home Rule Charter amendment process are in response to that ballot initiative.

Referendum to Amend the Home Rule Charter: Prohibiting Discrimination

The first referendum would add a new section under Article One, Home Rule Powers, “prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, religion, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or expression, disability, place of birth, national origin, or association or affiliation with any nation or foreign state in conducting the business of the City.”

• “Ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or expression, disability, place of birth” were added since the initial proposal read at the Jan. 22 meeting. Councilperson Strassburger noted that this new language better aligns with the city’s existing nondiscrimination policies and apologized for the original lack of inclusion.
• Council approved the amended statement.
• The ordinance received unanimous preliminary approval.
  • A public hearing is scheduled for Feb. 3, and the final vote is slated for Feb. 4.

Referendum to Amend the Home Rule Charter: Potential Misuse of the Home Rule Charter Amendment Process

The second referendum would add a new section “prohibiting the use of the Home Rule Charter Amendment process to add duties or obligations beyond the lawful scope of the city’s authority.”

• Councilperson Gross noted that the Home Rule Charter itself defines the city’s lawful scope and wondered if this amendment would “freeze” that scope and hinder future changes.
• Councilperson Warwick expressed concern about preemptively limiting the power of both Council and Pittsburgh residents, especially in light of what’s happening at the federal level.
• The ordinance passed with six in favor and abstentions from Councilpersons Gross, Mosley, and Warwick.
• A public hearing is scheduled for Feb. 3, and the final vote is slated for Feb. 4.

Referendum to Amend the Home Rule Charter: Restricting the Lease and/or Sale of the City’s Water and Sewer System

The third referendum would add a new article to the Definitions of Home Rule Powers, “restricting the lease and/or sale of the City’s water and sewer system to private entities.”

• From July 2012 to December 2015, the then-Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (now Pittsburgh Water) had a management contract with Veolia Water North America-Northeast. Veolia’s management included inaccurate meters and billing, as well as a 14-month change in chemicals used for corrosion and lead control, allegedly contributing to elevated lead levels. PWSA later sued Veolia. Councilperson Gross, one of six co-sponsors, said this addition could help protect the city from a repeat incident.
• The city’s current lease agreement with Pittsburgh Water—effective since 1995—allows the public entity to purchase the water and sewer system later this year. If passed, the sale to Pittsburgh Water would still be permitted because it is a public, not private, entity.
  • Councilperson Kail-Smith noted that Pittsburgh Water is only one of three water suppliers for her district. She expressed concern over continued rate increases and emphasized that protecting residents’ water also means keeping bills manageable. Councilpersons Mosley and Strassburger brought up related environmental justice aspects.
  • The ordinance received a unanimous affirmative recommendation.
• A public hearing is scheduled for Feb. 3, and the final vote is slated for Feb. 4.

Continuing Problems with NB Affordable Properties

A discussion on NB Affordable Properties took place in a Post Agenda meeting at the request of Khari Mosley.

Invited guests included Congresswoman Summer Lee, City Controller Rachel Heisler, representatives from housing advocacy organizations, and representatives from related city departments/offices.

Councilpersons Warwick, Lavelle, Gross, Strassburger, and Wilson also attended.

Complaints against NB Affordable Properties, a national property management company that owns properties in affordable local communities, began in 2023. Community residents in Homewood and West Mifflin, among others, have repeatedly brought to the company’s and HUD’s attention bedbug and rat infestations, lack of heat, missing floorboards, and other deplorable conditions, with little or no effect.

• Representative Lee said her office acts as a point of connection between residents and HUD and that she is committed to creating better conditions for residents.
• Councilperson Gross brought up Council’s ability to conduct inspections, noting that residents are hesitant about the practice for fear of eviction or losing their housing.
• David Green, director of the Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections, explained that administrative warrants—which allow entry into a residence without being invited—are primarily used out of wellness concerns regarding hoarding. Emergency powers are limited to “exceedingly hazardous conditions” that are imminently life-threatening.
• Controller Heisler fielded possible solutions, both proactive and responsive, for Council intervention on residents’ behalf. She cited policies and codes that might preclude some ideas.
• Advocates shared residents’ stories and the trauma they’re experiencing as a result of the company’s gross negligence.
• Additional discussion included collaborations between residents, tenant organizations, and city government, as well as the psychological hazards of displacement and breaking apart bonded communities.

Action Items

Let the City Council know how you feel about the above issues by taking this brief survey. I’ll share everyone’s thoughts directly before they take a vote.

Take the survey here (~1 minute)