OwnPGH Homeownership Program
Financing for homebuyers in the City of Pittsburgh
Notice: As of January 2025, the URA, in partnership with the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh, is accepting a limited number of applications for this program.
The OwnPGH Homeownership Program (OwnPGH) provides up to $90,000 to homebuyers seeking to purchase a home within the City of Pittsburgh.
About the Program
Homebuyers may receive up to $90,000 total, in the form of a grant, for the purchase of a house within the City of Pittsburgh. The grant may be available for those with a household income of 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) or below.
Who Can Apply?
- Individuals who pre-qualify for a home loan through one of our four bank partners; Please find contact information below for each participating bank lender.
- Individuals who do not exceed 80% of AMI; Please view the chart below to check if your household income is within the program income limits.
- Individuals who would like to own a property within the City of Pittsburgh; Properties outside of City of Pittsburgh limits do not qualify for OwnPGH assistance.
OwnPGH Income Limits
This chart shows the maximum annual income limits for those interested in applying for the OwnPGH Program. Annual Gross Income = Total income received by the entire household, before taxes and withholdings
OwnPGH Bank Partners
Step 1: Please contact one of the four banks below to find out if you pre-qualify for a home loan.
Step 2: Once you confirm pre-qualification for a home loan, the bank will facilitate your application to the OwnPGH Program.
First Commonwealth Bank
Joseph Tomaceski
412-495-2337
jtomaceski@fcbanking.com
SSB Bank
Heather Dieckmann
412-837-6955
hdieckmann@ssbpgh.com
Dollar Bank
Steve Kaminski
412-261-4219
SKaminski205@dollarbank.com
S&T Bank
David McGowan
412-915-7997
DavidMcGowan@s&tbank.com
Program Materials
Understand the OwnPGH Loan Process
Language translation is available free of charge. Please send an email to translation@ura.org.
Post-Closing Services
The URA is partnering with City of Bridges Community Land Trust to provide stewardship services to all OwnPGH homebuyers. Services include, but are not limited to:
- Service as the first point of contact in case of mortgage trouble or delinquency
- Advocacy for and support of all OwnPGH homeowners during times of payment difficulty, under-employment, or unemployment to ensure that they remain stable
- Provision of staff support and legal representation for any required tax assessment appeal hearings
- Referrals to additional resources as may be required (Examples: housing assistance, employment resources, job training, etc.)
- Monitoring and oversight of all OwnPGH deed restrictions, including an annual proof of residency check to ensure that homes are occupied in the manner required by OwnPGH
To contact City of Bridges regarding any post-closing services you may need, please email stewardship@cityofbridgesclt.org.
Sharina (OwnPGH Program Participant) at the closing of her home.
New homeowner, Jamira, with her daughter at the closing of their new home.
Annette (OwnPGH Program participant), and her family after purchasing their home.
New homeowner, Daiona, celebrating the purchase of her new home through the OwnPGH Program.
Sierra (OwnPGH Program Participant) at the closing of her home purchase.
Homebuyer Anna Wright (middle), pictured with URA and PHDC staff, utilized assistance from the OwnPGH Homeownership Program to purchase her first home for her family.
David McGowan of S&T Bank engages with a crowd of potential homebuyers during OwnPGH Office Hours at the Mt. Washington Carnegie Library.
URA, City of Bridges Community Land Trust, S&T Bank, and Mt. Washington CDC staff members are partnered to help first-time homebuyers purchase a home in Pittsburgh.
Rae Ann Driscoll, OwnPGH program coordinator, discusses the OwnPGH Homeownership Program process during Office Hours at the Mt. Washington Carnegie Library.
OwnPGH Office Hours on October 24, 2023 at the Hill District Carnegie Library
URA staff with Joseph M. Tomaceski of First Commonwealth Bank and Ed Nusser and Crystal Jennings-Rivera of City of Bridges Community Land Trust at the OwnPGH Office Hours on October 24, 2023 at the Hill District Carnegie Library
Our Partners
Additional Homebuying Assistance
First-time homebuyers making less than 80% of the AMI may be eligible to receive up to $7,500 for down payment and closing costs in the form of a 0% interest, 5-year deferred loan.
Have questions? For more information about the OwnPGH Homeownership Program, please call 412-255-6694, ext. 6721or email OwnPGH@ura.org.