URA Board to Vote on $800,000 in Funding for Stabilization of Senior Housing in the Hill District

PITTSBURGH, PA (February 9, 2022) The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA) has announced that its Board of Directors is set to vote on $800,000 in Housing Opportunity Fund (HOF) funding for the stabilization of senior housing in the Bedford Senior Campus in the Hill District neighborhood. The URA will provide a $500,000 HOF Rental Gap Program (RGP) loan to Western Manor; and a HOF Demonstration Program grant to Western Manor and Milliones Manor in the aggregate amount of $300,000.  
 
Both properties are in urgent need of capital repairs and operating income. 
 
"The health, safety, and well-being of the senior residents living on this site is of the utmost importance to the URA,” said URA Deputy Executive Director Dr. Diamonte Walker. “While we acknowledge this is a first step toward addressing a more serious set of issues, we are taking substantive action to stabilize the site's decaying infrastructure and improve the living conditions for the residents. We call on other funders to join us in preventing the displacement of some of the City's most vulnerable seniors if additional support is not secured.”
 
Western Manor, located at 2851 Bedford Avenue, is a 32-unit, HUD-202 financed building serving seniors at or below 30% of Area Median Income (AMI). The building has been in its current use since 1992, and certain building systems are well past their useful life. The property has failed several HUD Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) assessments and needs immediate attention to continue operations at the building. The HOF RGP loan would directly address issues with the existing roof system and resulting water infiltration.
  
Milliones Manor, located at 2827 Bedford Avenue, is a 40-unit Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) project primarily serving seniors at or below 50% AMI. Milliones Manor has also been in service for over 30 years, and aging building systems have put a strain on the finances at the property. Funding is needed to stabilize operations. Such an infusion of operational dollars would attract a highly qualified property manager and help satisfy outstanding payables at Western and Milliones Manors.  
  
Since operating funds and the capitalization of reserves are not allowable uses under the HOF RGP program, URA staff recommends using a HOF Demonstration Program grant which is free of such restrictions. This grant will pay outstanding expenses related to fire protection, insurance, landscaping, appliances, municipal fees, utilities, legal services, elevator maintenance, HVAC, and other building upkeep costs.  
 
“These critical investments are exactly what our seniors need and deserve,” said Mayor Gainey. “In Pittsburgh, we must prioritize affordable and safe living places for all our residents, most notably our seniors. I want to thank the Urban Redevelopment Authority, The Hill CDC, the Housing Opportunity Fund Advisory Board, and Councilman Lavelle for their commitment to this project and ensuring the necessary first investment to assess the situation at Western Manor and Milliones Manor. I am committed to working with all of our partners including the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to ensure this is only the start and that quality, affordable housing investments will be prioritized across our city to prevent further displacement of Pittsburgh residents.”
 
Western Manor, Inc. is the owner of Western Manor, and Centre City Apartments Associates is the owner of Milliones Manor. 
 
The URA Board of Directors meets virtually on Thursday, February 10, at 2 p.m. For more information, click here. 

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About the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA)
The URA is the City of Pittsburgh's economic development agency, supporting the City’s economic development goals, which are designed to create a city of inclusive opportunity for residents, stakeholders, and communities. The URA is committed to creating more housing that is affordable to the average Pittsburgher; encouraging more entrepreneurship and small business development; promoting inclusive growth and quality job creation; expanding neighborhood and main streets revitalization efforts; and developing a talented workforce that is equipped with the skills of the future.