PITTSBURGH — Vacant and underutilized properties in Pittsburgh’s Larimer neighborhood are being transformed into something with lasting potential: homeownership opportunities for families.
The Mayflower Street Affordable Homeownership Program is bringing 26 new affordable homes to Larimer, marking another significant milestone in the neighborhood’s ongoing revitalization.
Mayor Corey O’Connor joined representatives of the Larimer Consensus Group (LCG), East Liberty Development, Inc. (ELDI), and the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA) to announce the progress of the initiative, which is converting previously underutilized properties into new homes.
With several houses already completed and additional construction underway, all 26 homes are expected to be finished over the next two years.
The initiative represents more than new residential construction. It is an investment in the ability of families to own property, establish long-term roots, and build generational wealth in a Pittsburgh neighborhood that has spent years working toward revitalization.
A Neighborhood Vision More Than a Decade in the Making
The Mayflower Street initiative builds on a broader neighborhood transformation effort that began more than a decade ago.
In June 2014, Pittsburgh received its first $30 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funding helped establish a comprehensive approach to revitalizing Larimer, initially prioritizing quality, affordable rental housing.
Now, the Mayflower Street project expands that vision by placing greater emphasis on affordable homeownership.
For neighborhood leaders, the opportunity to own a home is an essential part of creating a community where residents can build stability, establish roots, and benefit from the neighborhood’s continued investment.
“I want to thank the Larimer Consensus Group and all of our partners for their leadership, vision, and continued commitment to the Larimer community,” said Mayor Corey O’Connor.
The mayor emphasized that meaningful neighborhood investment begins with listening to residents and working alongside organizations that understand the needs of their communities.
“Our goal is not simply to build more housing, but to create real opportunities for homeownership, strengthen neighborhoods, and ensure that the investments we make today deliver lasting benefits for the people who call Pittsburgh home,” O’Connor said.
Community Leadership at the Center
The Larimer Consensus Group has been working for more than two decades to advance revitalization efforts in the neighborhood.
K. Chase Patterson, chairman of LCG, acknowledged the organization’s longstanding commitment and the legacy of community leader Ora Lee Carol.
“The Larimer community, like many other neighborhoods in our city, is long overdue for a renaissance,” Patterson said, noting that the organization intends to continue its work with an emphasis on equity and a vision of building a neighborhood where everyone can live.
East Liberty Development, Inc. (ELDI), another key partner, brings experience in preserving affordability and supporting neighborhood development.
Executive Director Maelene Myers said the organization is proud to partner with LCG and the City of Pittsburgh to expand homeownership opportunities for families at all income levels.
The partnership continues the vision established through the Choice Neighborhoods Plan.
The Investment Behind the 26 Homes
The Mayflower Street Affordable Homeownership Program is supported through a combination of public, private, and philanthropic resources.
The announced financing includes:
- $3.3 million— Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh investment
- $1.8 million— Federal Home Loan Bank grants
- $625,000— Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) grants
- $350,000— Community and Economic Assistance Program (CEAP) grants secured by Pennsylvania Senator Lindsey Williams
- $5.5 million— Prospective homeowner mortgage financing
The URA has worked with the City and community partners throughout the development process.
Tom Link, chief development officer for the URA, said resident engagement has been central to the project, with affordable homeownership consistently identified as a critical need in Larimer.
Additional partners supporting the initiative include Pittsburgh City Councilman Khari Mosley and State Representative La’Tasha Mayes.
Building More Than Houses
For neighborhoods that have experienced years of disinvestment, vacant properties represent more than unused land. Their redevelopment can create opportunities to restore housing, attract investment, and strengthen the community.
The Mayflower Street project illustrates how neighborhood organizations, government agencies, and development partners can work together to turn long-term plans into tangible results.
But the larger measure of success will be the families who ultimately purchase these homes and make Larimer their own.
The O’Connor administration says it hopes to build on this partnership model and pursue similar opportunities in neighborhoods throughout Pittsburgh, with an emphasis on resident involvement and meaningful community benefits.
For Larimer, 26 new homes represent another step forward in a revitalization effort shaped by years of community leadership, planning, and investment.
The goal is not simply to rebuild a neighborhood. It is to create more opportunities for the people who live there to own a piece of its future.