People
The Hill CDC is committed to the social and economic development of Hill District residents, many of whom have been historically disadvantaged. A variety of programs are offered for business owners, entrepreneurs, aspiring homeowners, creatives and culture workers.
Place
The Hill CDC leads the planning and redevelopment efforts for the neighborhood on behalf of residents and stakeholders of the Hill District. With over $2 Billion of development slated for the area, the Hill CDC is focused on commercial revitalization and affordable homeownership. Equitable outcomes that foster place-keeping and transformative economic investment is the cornerstone of the Hill CDC’s work.
Policy
The Hill CDC is guided by the Greater Hill District Master Plan. This community-endorsed vision establishes fundamental values and development principles that are central to positive activities and healthy neighborhood development. The Hill CDC focuses on land-use policy, social and economic equity, and centering community voice.
Social
🏚️"The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh intends to scale back some programs benefiting low-income residents, landlords and developers amid fears of massive federal budget cuts next year.
The government is proposing to slash nearly $27 billion for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Any such cuts would impact many local housing authority programs, including the Housing Choice Voucher Program, Pittsburgh officials warned on Thursday.
In 2024, the housing authority received about $147 million from HUD, according to Chuck Rohrer, the authority’s spokesperson.
The vouchers allow low-income people to rent housing on the private market. The housing authority pays a portion of their rent to make it affordable.
In addition to federal funding to support the housing authority’s voucher programs, Pittsburgh receives about $18 million from HUD annually “to help support the health, safety and welfare of vulnerable residents,” said Cydney Cooper, a spokeswoman for Mayor Ed Gainey."
Read more here:https://ow.ly/3zAF50Wtiag.
Sign up for the Weekend Roundup here: hilldistrict.org/signup
🏚️"The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh intends to scale back some programs benefiting low-income residents, landlords and developers amid fears of massive federal budget cuts next year.
The government is proposing to slash nearly $27 billion for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Any such cuts would impact many local housing authority programs, including the Housing Choice Voucher Program, Pittsburgh officials warned on Thursday.
In 2024, the housing authority received about $147 million from HUD, according to Chuck Rohrer, the authority’s spokesperson.
The vouchers allow low-income people to rent housing on the private market. The housing authority pays a portion of their rent to make it affordable.
In addition to federal funding to support the housing authority’s voucher programs, Pittsburgh receives about $18 million from HUD annually “to help support the health, safety and welfare of vulnerable residents,” said Cydney Cooper, a spokeswoman for Mayor Ed Gainey."
Read more here:https://ow.ly/3zAF50Wtiag.
Sign up for the Weekend Roundup here: hilldistrict.org/signup
Did you miss the Weekend Roundup?
Here’s what was in this weekend’s edition:
🏠 Pittsburgh Housing Authority braces for HUD cuts, pares voucher programs
📉 New report shows Black homebuyers face rising costs and shrinking options
🗣️ Centre Avenue business owners weigh in on upcoming infrastructure plans
🌉 Foster care support initiative seeks community partners — get involved!
✨...and much more!
📬 Read the latest edition here: https://mailchi.mp/hilldistrict/weekendroundup-7-19-25
📝 Sign up for future editions here: https://hilldistrict.org/signup
Did you miss the Weekend Roundup?
Here’s what was in this weekend’s edition:
🏠 Pittsburgh Housing Authority braces for HUD cuts, pares voucher programs
📉 New report shows Black homebuyers face rising costs and shrinking options
🗣️ Centre Avenue business owners weigh in on upcoming infrastructure plans
🌉 Foster care support initiative seeks community partners — get involved!
✨...and much more!
📬 Read the latest edition here: https://mailchi.mp/hilldistrict/weekendroundup-7-19-25
📝 Sign up for future editions here: https://hilldistrict.org/signup
📢 Heads up, Hill District!
The next Community Food Distribution is happening on a NEW DATE for August only: the third Friday, August 15 at 11:00 AM. Mark your calendars!
📍 Nafasi on Centre (2145 Centre Ave)
🛍️ Free groceries. First come, first served. Bring a tote or carry box!
📢 Heads up, Hill District!
The next Community Food Distribution is happening on a NEW DATE for August only: the third Friday, August 15 at 11:00 AM. Mark your calendars!
📍 Nafasi on Centre (2145 Centre Ave)
🛍️ Free groceries. First come, first served. Bring a tote or carry box!
🏠 Now Available in the Hill District!
A newly renovated 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom apartment is open in the historic Firehouse Building.
✨ Features include:
✔️ Brand-new appliances
✔️ On-site shared laundry
💵 Rent: $1,255/month plus gas and electric
Interested? Reach out to mwatson@hilldistrict.org to learn more or schedule a tour!
🏠 Now Available in the Hill District!
A newly renovated 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom apartment is open in the historic Firehouse Building.
✨ Features include:
✔️ Brand-new appliances
✔️ On-site shared laundry
💵 Rent: $1,255/month plus gas and electric
Interested? Reach out to mwatson@hilldistrict.org to learn more or schedule a tour!
📅 Mark Your Calendars!
Join us on Thursday, September 4th for the next Hill District Community Meeting at the Blakey Center (1908 Wiley Avenue).
🍽️ Doors open at 5:30 PM with dinner
🕕 Meeting begins at 6:00 PM
Come out for an evening of development updates, community conversation, and resident voting.
You’ll hear the latest on upcoming projects, connect with neighbors, and make your voice count!
✅Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hill-district-community-meeting-tickets-1488979139689?aff=oddtdtcreator
📅 Mark Your Calendars!
Join us on Thursday, September 4th for the next Hill District Community Meeting at the Blakey Center (1908 Wiley Avenue).
🍽️ Doors open at 5:30 PM with dinner
🕕 Meeting begins at 6:00 PM
Come out for an evening of development updates, community conversation, and resident voting.
You’ll hear the latest on upcoming projects, connect with neighbors, and make your voice count!
✅Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hill-district-community-meeting-tickets-1488979139689?aff=oddtdtcreator
🖤 For over fifty years, Black Beauty’s Lounge has been a cornerstone of the Hill District. And according to its founder, she’s not slowing down anytime soon.
“I opened up March 27, 1975,” Roberta Brassell, also known as “Ms. Bert,” told us last week. “My sister bought me a license plate that said ‘Black Beauty.’ That’s why I use the apostrophe, to let everyone know they’re beautiful.”
Running a business in the Hill hasn’t always been easy. “It’s been difficult,” she said. As a Black woman and small business owner, Ms. Bert has faced barriers familiar to many in the neighborhood. At one point, she was in talks to open a jazz club upstairs in her building with support from the URA, but that promise never materialized.
“I’m a fighter,” she said. “I want my legacy to be in the Hill.”
Now, even after decades of challenges, Ms. Bert is building that legacy. She speaks proudly of the spirit her patrons bring into the space. “That’s the kind of customers I have, people who always want to give.”
Over the past few years, she has been working to transform Black Beauty’s into a gathering place for every generation in the Hill. “On the deck, we’re going to have wicker furniture, probably a fire pit, a gazebo,” she said. “Inside, we’ll have leather booths.”
Renovations are taking longer than expected, but Ms. Bert is hopeful she’ll reopen soon. She is doing it with the community in mind.
“I don’t know how long I’ll enjoy it,” she said. “But I want my legacy to carry on.”
Stay tuned to the Weekend Roundup for updates on Black Beauty’s grand reopening.
Sign up for the Weekend Roundup here: hilldistrict.org/signup
🖤 For over fifty years, Black Beauty’s Lounge has been a cornerstone of the Hill District. And according to its founder, she’s not slowing down anytime soon.
“I opened up March 27, 1975,” Roberta Brassell, also known as “Ms. Bert,” told us last week. “My sister bought me a license plate that said ‘Black Beauty.’ That’s why I use the apostrophe, to let everyone know they’re beautiful.”
Running a business in the Hill hasn’t always been easy. “It’s been difficult,” she said. As a Black woman and small business owner, Ms. Bert has faced barriers familiar to many in the neighborhood. At one point, she was in talks to open a jazz club upstairs in her building with support from the URA, but that promise never materialized.
“I’m a fighter,” she said. “I want my legacy to be in the Hill.”
Now, even after decades of challenges, Ms. Bert is building that legacy. She speaks proudly of the spirit her patrons bring into the space. “That’s the kind of customers I have, people who always want to give.”
Over the past few years, she has been working to transform Black Beauty’s into a gathering place for every generation in the Hill. “On the deck, we’re going to have wicker furniture, probably a fire pit, a gazebo,” she said. “Inside, we’ll have leather booths.”
Renovations are taking longer than expected, but Ms. Bert is hopeful she’ll reopen soon. She is doing it with the community in mind.
“I don’t know how long I’ll enjoy it,” she said. “But I want my legacy to carry on.”
Stay tuned to the Weekend Roundup for updates on Black Beauty’s grand reopening.
Sign up for the Weekend Roundup here: hilldistrict.org/signup
📢 The Operation HOME Homeownership Workshop originally scheduled for Saturday, July 19th has been rescheduled to Saturday, July 26th. There’s still time to register!
🏡 Looking to be a homeowner in the Hill? Join the Hill CDC and the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh for a free day-long workshop to help you prepare for homeownership.
Learn about:
✔️ Mortgages & budgeting
✔️ Home inspections & insurance
✔️ The Hill District 100 Program
✔️ One-on-one credit & financial counseling
📅 New Date: Saturday, July 26th
🕘 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
🔗 Register now: https://ow.ly/klKG50WqAn3
📢 The Operation HOME Homeownership Workshop originally scheduled for Saturday, July 19th has been rescheduled to Saturday, July 26th. There’s still time to register!
🏡 Looking to be a homeowner in the Hill? Join the Hill CDC and the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh for a free day-long workshop to help you prepare for homeownership.
Learn about:
✔️ Mortgages & budgeting
✔️ Home inspections & insurance
✔️ The Hill District 100 Program
✔️ One-on-one credit & financial counseling
📅 New Date: Saturday, July 26th
🕘 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
🔗 Register now: https://ow.ly/klKG50WqAn3
📢 Heads up, Hill District!
The next Community Food Distribution is happening on a new date for August only: the third Friday, August 15 at 11:00 AM. Mark your calendars!
📍 Nafasi on Centre (2145 Centre Ave)
🛍️ Free groceries. First come, first served. Bring a tote or carry box!
📢 Heads up, Hill District!
The next Community Food Distribution is happening on a new date for August only: the third Friday, August 15 at 11:00 AM. Mark your calendars!
📍 Nafasi on Centre (2145 Centre Ave)
🛍️ Free groceries. First come, first served. Bring a tote or carry box!
