Executive Summary

The Hazelwood neighborhood of Pittsburgh is a rustbelt microcosm. Encompassing 20% of the city’s population when steelmaking was at its peak, Hazelwood is now Pittsburgh’s most diverse neighborhood. Still recovering from 60 years of population decline as Pittsburgh steel industry disappeared, we are simultaneously experiencing a monumental rise in property values due to gentrification. Since 1999, Hazelwood Initiative (HI) has organized, listened to, educated and served its home. HI’s monthly forums are where Hazelwood comes together to hold government accountable, voice concerns and create visions for community-driven change. Our monthly newspaper is read by 10,000+ residents who respond to resources published therein.

HI is governed by an elected Board of residents and entrepreneurs that reflect the diverse community we serve in terms of race, gender and socio-economic status. HI’s staff is equally diverse with the education and experience to advance Hazelwood’s visions for affordable housing, environmental justice, business district revitalization and inclusive community development.

Since 2014, HI’s impact has been transformative: 200 low-income households have benefitted from HI’s Home Repair Program, Homeownership Program, and development of 110 units of permanently affordable rental housing. We’ve distributed $300,000+ in grants to neighborhood residents to build community, strengthen businesses, and cope with COVID-19. We’ve raised & deployed $6mm+ to purchase & steward 8 corner buildings in its business district so Hazelwood can envision and create its new town center. In HI’s newest focus area (environmental justice), we’ve planted 660 trees, stewarded 18 community garden-beds, helped created a Greenspace plan, placed 16 air-quality monitors and helped 7 low-income residents to get free solar panels installed. HI is poised for transformation led by its engaged community.

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