Pittsburgh City Council
The saga of inclusionary zoning takes another plot twist.
Written by Amy Whipple
An effort to mandate affordable housing in large new or renovated developments has been stalled again. City council voted 5-4 to amend the inclusionary zoning (IZ) legislation, which sent the bill back to the Planning Commission.
Council Member Erika Strassburger of Squirrel Hill North proposed the new amendment, which would give tax breaks and expedited approvals to developers that choose to include affordable units rather than mandating them.
Council, Mayor Ed Gainey and the Planning Commission have been debating IZ legislation for more than a year. The commission’s most recent recommendation — which Gainey wants — calls for 10 percent of units to be affordable in new or renovated developments of 20 or more homes.
IZ unit prices cannot exceed 30 percent of a household’s income. Eligible households cannot earn more than 50 percent of AMI for rentals or more than 80 percent for purchase.
Proponents say that mandatory inclusion will help curb gentrification. Opponents say it will halt development. Council Member Anthony Coghill of Beechview said while all members of council recognize the need for affordable housing, they differ on the approach.
In January, the Planning Commission formally opposed legislation from Council Member Bob Charland of the South Side that would have given individual neighborhoods the power to determine whether low-income units had to be included in new developments. It also would have made the city or its development agencies compensate developers for the lost revenue. Council rejected the bill in July.
Lawrenceville, Bloomfield, Polish Hill and the majority of Oakland already have inclusionary zoning.
The commission has 90 days to consider the new amendments. Council then has 120 days to hold a public hearing ahead of its vote.
Connections to this story
- Elected officials:
- Erika StrassburgerAnthony Coghill
- Topics:
- Housing & Land Use
- Governments:
- Pittsburgh City Council
- Public meetings:
- City Council · October 14, 2025
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