Letsche School Apartments Unite Pittsburgh’s Past and Future

The URA joined Beacon Communities, the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP), Mayor Ed Gainey, and Council President and URA Board Vice Chair R. Daniel Lavelle on January 16 at the newly renovated Letsche School Apartments for a grand opening of 45 mixed-income units at the former Letsche Elementary School in the Hill District.

With $2.25 million in funding from the HACP and $953,650 from the URA, the developer, Beacon Communities, was able to round out the funding they received from a Low -Income Housing Tax Credit and Historical Tax Credit. Key Bank and Chase Bank also supported the renovation.

The Letsche Elementary School, originally built around the turn of the 20th century, has seen several generations of Pittsburghers walk through its doors, including the Motley family. Thomas Motley, Sr. started as a janitor at Letsche Elementary School before a position with Pittsburgh Public Schools as a Director of Plant Operations, and yesterday, his granddaughter, Renée Motley, dedicated the building in his honor.

From the small playground outside to the pieces of chalkboard in each apartment, Beacon Communities showed a dedication to maintaining and growing the history of the building. Dara Kovel, CEO of Beacon Communities, said Letsche School reflects, “Beacon’s commitment to breathing new life into historic structures and strengthening neighborhoods.”

Mayor Gainey said, “We need a city that grows up, not just grows old. Many of our neighbors face extraordinary barriers to finding housing they can afford and are doing their very best to survive. Affordable housing strengthens our neighborhoods and provides stability.”

The Letsche School redevelopment is part of the Bedford Dwellings Choice Neighborhoods Initiative, an effort to transform 411 units of the Bedford Dwellings housing complex and construct an additional 422 rental units. The implementation plan supports families moving out of Bedford Dwellings and keeps them in the neighborhood through a “build first, move once” strategy.

“The URA’s support of the Letsche School Apartments demonstrates our commitment to equitable and sustainable development,” said URA Chief Housing Officer Quianna Wasler. “We were able to help fund an important renovation project that will keep families in the Hill District, where they’ll have access to job centers, public transportation, groceries, and health care.”

Creating opportunities to keep people in Pittsburgh is critical to the city’s future. By uniting Pittsburgh’s past with its future through innovative housing efforts, the URA and our partners hope to create accessible, affordable, and sustainable development for everyone.