Pittsburgh City Council Votes to Halt Neighboring Lot Sale Program

The Pittsburgh City Council, after a vote, decided to halt a program that allowed homeowners to purchase adjacent vacant lots at a very reduced price.

The neighboring lot sale program, which had been in effect for years, allowed residents to buy city-owned adjacent lots for about $200. The initiative aimed to reduce the city’s inventory of vacant properties, return them to the tax rolls, and provide residents with additional green spaces.

Months ago, Councilor Deb Gross had introduced a proposal to limit the discounted price only to homeowners who actually live next to the vacant lot. Her goal was to prevent absentee landlords and out-of-state investors from taking advantage of the program to acquire lots at a very low price. But after weeks of deliberation, Gross ultimately decided to suspend the program for a more thorough review.

Now, in a final vote, the council voted to approve the suspension of the program.

Councilor Gross explained that the city’s real estate market has changed significantly in recent years since the program was first introduced, and speculators have become more aggressive in acquiring city-owned properties. She expressed concern that outside investors, including real estate trusts and private equity firms, were exploiting the program.

Not all council members supported the suspension. Among them was Councilor Anthony Coghill, who argued that the program had been successful in his district and had reduced the burden on the Department of Public Works, which is responsible for maintaining vacant lots. He stated: “I don’t see why we’re messing with this program. It’s been working well, and many residents have benefited from it. If anything, we should consider raising the fees to generate more revenue for the city.”

Under the current program, lots sold through the Side Yard Sale initiative come with deed restrictions that prevent buyers from constructing buildings on those lots. Buyers are limited to non-structural improvements, such as gardens, green spaces, or pools. Currently, about 10 applications for the program are still in process and will be completed; however, no new applications will be accepted during the suspension.

Available Foreclosures:

Pittsburgh: 1,200 homes available.

By Elías DaSilva | 9 de diciembre de 2024.