This Week’s Top Agenda Items

• Council considering property tax exemptions for longtime, low-income residents.
• City to use state grants to improve intersection safety
• Concerns raised about diversity amid changes to the Housing Authority Board.

Council considering property tax exemptions for longtime residents

• Council received legislation from Mayor Gainey to create a Longtime Owner Occupant Tax Exemption Program (LOOP).
• Under LOOP, eligible homeowners will continue to pay property taxes but can defer or be exempt from tax increases.
• The program aims to protect low-income residents in redeveloping areas from being taxed out of homeownership as market values rise.
• State legislation permitting LOOP passed last summer.
• Eligibility requirements include:
  • Ownership and residency for at least 10 years (5 years if receiving housing assistance)
  • A property assessment value increase of over 25% in one year, or 50% over five years
  • All real estate taxes current or a payment plan in place
  • Household income at or below 120% of the area median income (adjusted for household size)

City to use state grants to improve intersection safety

• The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Automated Red Light Enforcement Grant Program will fund intersection improvements at:
  • Centre Avenue and North Dithridge Street (North Oakland) for $335,981.88
    • The intersection will receive a traffic light where there is now a two-way stop.
  • East General Robinson Street and Sandusky Street (North Shore) for $647,049.45
    • Changes will include a modernized traffic signal and implementation of a road diet designed to improve pedestrian safety.
• The city has committed to a variety of street safety plans in recent years, including neighborhood traffic calming measures as well as upgraded traffic signals that increase the lens diameter from 8 to 12 inches.

A previous version of this article mistakenly referred to the intersections as the first two sites for automated red light enforcement cameras.

Concerns raised about diversity amid changes to the Housing Authority Board

• Council formally received Mayor Gainey’s three new appointments and one reappointment to the Housing Authority Board, pending interviews with the Committee on Hearings and Policy.
  • The Board approves policies, budgets, and provides general direction to the Executive Director.
  • Over 20,000 Pittsburgh residents receive assistance through the Housing Authority.
• Councilperson Kail-Smith expressed concern over the non-reappointment of Alex Laroco, a representative from the West End district, noting that he, an immigrant, LGBTQ+ member, and veteran, provided valuable diversity.
• All of Mayor Gainey’s new appointments and the reappointment are People of Color.
• Council President Lavelle agreed to schedule a discussion on the matter at a future date.

Tell The Council What you think

Let the City Council know how you feel about the above issues by taking this brief survey. We'll share everyone’s thoughts directly before they take a vote (We wont be presenting in person until we get to 50 respondents).

Email Readers can fill out the survey by clicking here.