**For Immediate Release**

Contact: Emilia.rowland@mail.house.gov 330.212.2065

Congresswoman Summer Lee, Casey, Fetterman Announce $50 Million to Revitalize Bedford Dwellings and Hill District Neighborhood

Braddock, PA — Today, Congresswoman Summer Lee (PA-12) along with U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) announced $50,000,000 for a neighborhood revitalization grant for the Bedford Dwellings Housing Complex and surrounding Hill District neighborhood. The grant will be used to rehabilitate affordable housing at Bedford Dwellings, as well as make investments to create a neighborhood that is vibrant, well-connected to services and public transportation, and is safe and welcoming for Pittsburgh residents. The revitalization plan is the culmination of years of intensive engagement and collaborative work between the City of Pittsburgh, neighborhood residents, local organizations, development partners, and other community stakeholders. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant Program and will be awarded through the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh. In December 2022, the Pittsburgh City Council approved an additional $31 million investment if the Housing Authority won this grant. 

Lee said, “I am thrilled to announce $50m to revitalize Bedford Dwellings in the Hill District, thanks to a Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant our district just received from HUD. This is a meaningful step towards righting past wrongs of racist urban development decisions, chronic disinvestment, and harmful policies.This was the product of years of hard work and coordination between community groups, the City of Pittsburgh, development partners, local organizations, philanthropy and Allegheny County to put a winning proposal together. I am thankful to Secretary Fudge and her team at HUD for this award, and look forward to continuing to work with our local leaders and federal partners as we begin the process of rehabbing affordable housing at Bedford Dwellings as well as developing the surrounding area to create a neighborhood that rights the past wrongs of chronic disinvestment in the Hill District, and centers our Black, marginalized, and low income neighbors.”

Background: 

Since taking office, Summer and the team have met with HUD leadership as well as development partners and the City on a regular basis to best position ourselves for this award. We intend to continue these efforts of coordination and support as the grant is implemented and the City continues its investment and work on the Hill, and will look for additional opportunities to leverage federal funding to enhance this initial rehabilitation

“Housing is more than just a roof over your head; it’s the place where safety, well-being, and community start. As the foundation of a neighborhood, housing determines whether businesses can thrive, the potential of future economic development, and the sense of community residents that feel,” said Senator Casey. “Community leaders in the Hill District have been working tirelessly for years to reimagine Bedford Dwellings into a neighborhood anchor where residents can live, work, and play in a vibrant and safe environment and with this funding, they can make that vision a reality.” 

“Housing is a human right, and this massive investment will help create more affordable housing in Pittsburgh and improve the conditions of this complex and neighborhood,” Senator Fetterman said. “As a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, which covers housing issues, I’ll always fight to make sure every Pennsylvanian has access to safe and affordable housing.”

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