The Oakland CLT grows with new homeowners and staff

By: Maura McCampbell, Marketing & Community Programs Coordinator 

The Oakland Community Land Trust (CLT) recently welcomed Victoria and Tomoa Quinn as its newest homeowners. Coming to Pittsburgh by way of New York City, the Quinns chose to rent in Oakland for its proximity to work and ability to support a car-free lifestyle. When they started looking to buy a home in Pittsburgh a few years later, Oakland was the obvious choice. “I want to be in Oakland. I want accessible transportation and to know my neighbors by their first name,” said Tomoa, a UPMC employee. Victoria added, “I wanted to live in an already established neighborhood that reflects the diversity of a real community, and I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.”  

Thanks to the Oakland CLT and our partners, the Quinns were able to turn their dream of homeownership in Oakland into a reality – and to start building equity and generational wealth.  In order to achieve this milestone, OPDC secured additional funding sources from the Urban Redevelopment Authority and the Housing Opportunity Fund’s Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance program. We also had a great partner in First Commonwealth Bank, who helped bring all the sources together and get this sale across the finish line.  We appreciate their partnership and dedication to equitable community development.

OPDC formed the Oakland Community Land Trust (CLT) in 2018 to provide affordable homeownership in our community. The market pressure for student housing in Oakland is relentless; investors purchase many of the homes that come up for sale here to turn into rental properties. The CLT ensures that houses OPDC builds and renovates will always remain affordable owner-occupied homes. This works because the CLT owns the lot (the land a house sits on) and leases it to the homeowner for a low monthly fee. The lease allows the Oakland CLT to stipulate that the property must be owner-occupied and also enables the CLT to maintain affordability of the property in perpetuity. Ultimately, this means that families like the Quinns have the opportunity to call Oakland home now and for generations to come.

Within the CLT leases’ stipulations, Oakland CLT homeowners have all the same rights and responsibilities as any other homeowner. A CLT homeowner can invest in and renovate their home, pass it down to family members, or sell it. They earn equity and also a share of the appreciation in value.  A CLT homeowner receives a benefit -- a low purchase price -- at the time they purchase the home and agrees to sell the home at an affordable price in the future. The resale formula accommodates appreciation while also maintaining affordability long term. Oakland homeowners make up the majority of the Oakland CLT Committee, the group that stewards the Oakland CLT’s growth and vision. 

Currently, there are eight CLT houses in the Oakland CLT, and at least six more will be added by the end of 2021.

OPDC recently welcomed a new CLT Manager, Malcolm Carrington, to our staff. Malcolm started with us in March and is eager to dig into the growing work at hand. He understands the challenges facing first-time homebuyers and is committed to guiding them through the process.

I see a lot of potential in Community Land Trusts, and I want to help people start a journey that in the end will benefit them tenfold,” Malcolm said. “My job is not to convince you that the CLT is right for you. That part is all up to you. I’m going to meet you where you are as an individual and tell you the truth so that you can make an informed decision.” 

If you have thoughts on what you would like to see happen with Oakland’s CLT, or if you or someone you know are interested in purchasing a CLT home, please get in touch with Malcolm Carrington at mcarrington@opdc.org or 412.621.7863 ext. 123.

COVID vaccinations and where to find them in Oakland

By: Maura McCampbell, Marketing & Community Programs Coordinator 

COVID-19 vaccine blog

OPDC acknowledges and thanks the organizations working to minimize the pandemic’s disproportionately negative impact on people of color. The Community Vaccine Collaborative and the Black Equity Coalition are doing essential work to assist Pittsburgh’s Black and Latinx communities. Thank you.

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April 28 update: The University of Pittsburgh has a limited number of Moderna vaccines avalable for adults 18+ on Wednesday, April 28, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Thursday, April 29, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m at the former AT&T store on Fifth Avenue across from Starbucks.

Register at https://pi.tt/vras with the access code panthers or call the Pitt COVID-19 hotline for assistance at 412-383-4372.

The Central Baptist Church at 2200 Wylie Avenue in the Hill District offers ongoing walk-in Moderna COVID vaccines to adults. Hours are 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m weekdays and 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information, contact the church at 412.566.1437.

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March 29 update: Oak Hill Apartments will host a vaccination clinic on Tuesday, March 30 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 280 Burrow St. The clinic is open to all individuals in Pennsylvania’s 1a category.

To register, complete this form and either email it to oakhillvaccinations@cjmanagment.com or print and drop it in the rent drop slot at 280 Burrows Street. Phone registration is available by calling the Resident Services staff at 412-621-0438.

Registrants must choose their own appointment time between 9 a.m. -7 p.m. and indicate it in their email or on their printed form when registering. The clinic will accept walk-up registration on Tuesday for eligible people with an ID.

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With vaccine efforts ramping up around the nation, vaccination is becoming a closer and closer reality for American adults. The US has administered over 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, and Allegheny County has vaccinated more people than any other Pennsylvania county. OPDC is here with the latest rundown with information ever-changing, including upcoming vaccination dates at the Petersen Events Center.

Who can get a vaccine?

Pennsylvania’s Department of Health is in Phase 1a, meaning healthcare personnel, individuals over the age of 65, and individuals with high-risk conditions are eligible for a vaccine. As of March 19, Allegheny County expanded Phase 1a to include individuals ages 50-64 with underlying medical conditions. This expansion applies to the county’s vaccine distribution program and does not necessarily include private vaccine distribution.

You will need to check each provider’s website to confirm their eligibility criteria and whether you must bring documents such as proof of age to your vaccine appointment.

Not yet eligible? That’s likely to change soon. With vaccine supply increasing, President Biden has asked states to make all adults eligible for vaccination by May 1 at the latest.

What’s the difference in the available vaccines?

The Food and Drug Administration has approved three COVID-19 vaccines for Emergency Use Authorization: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson.

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two separate doses, with the second dose administered at least 21 (Pfizer) or 28 (Moderna) days after the first dose, while the Johnson & Johnson vaccine only requires one dose.

For all three vaccines, full protection sets in two weeks after your final dose. While each vaccine has a different efficacy rate (i.e. reduction in COVID cases amongst vaccinated people), medical professionals advise that people receive the first vaccine available to them, as all three prevent severe illness and hospitalization in the case of contracting COVID.

“If this were one of my closest family members, I would encourage them to take any one of the three available vaccines,” UPMC Dr. Sylvia Owusu-Ansah says. “It’s better to vaccinate than to not. Each has their slight advantages over one another, but overall they prevent people from getting really sick from COVID.”

Where can I get a vaccine?

While distribution sites and appointment availability fluctuate, there are resources to keep you updated on the latest vaccine information.

Register for the County’s Allegheny Alerts and UPMC’s COVID Updates & Information email lists to receive updates on eligibility, appointment availability, and best practices. Individuals struggling to navigate the County’s online registration process can call 2-1-1 for assistance in scheduling an appointment.

Vaccine availability in Oakland:

• The University of Pittsburgh is partnering with Allegheny County Health Department to host a vaccine clinic at the Petersen Event Center. This site will provide approximately 1,000 vaccine doses a day. Appointments are available through March 26, and a second clinic will be held at the same location to provide second dose appointments within the necessary 28 to 42-day window.

  Register for this clinic, and the Health Department’s other clinics, on their website or by calling 2-1-1. All clinics are appointment only and do not accept walk-up registration. Are you a Pitt community member interested in volunteering at this clinic? Sign up to assist here.  

• UPMC is currently vaccinating people who meet the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Phase 1a criteria. If you are eligible for this category, you can register with UPMC at vaccine.upmc.com. UPMC will contact you to schedule an appointment when vaccines are available.

• Oakland’s Atwood St. Rite Aid is a vaccine provider. Please fill out their online survey to determine your eligibility.

What happens after I’m vaccinated?

Unfortunately, life won’t spring back to its pre-pandemic posture the moment you are vaccinated. While a vaccine can prevent you from getting sick from COVID, it is still unclear whether vaccinated individuals can transmit COVID.

With most of the population unvaccinated, it is important to wear masks and maintain social distancing when around people with unknown vaccination status. Still, once your vaccine fully protects you, current CDC guidelines allow you to meet with fully vaccinated and low-risk unvaccinated people from the same household indoors and without a mask or social distancing. 

Still have questions?

Check out the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s COVID-19 frequently asked questions. In addition to the COVID-19 resource page, the Allegheny County Health Department’s 24/7 COVID-19 hotline is 888-856-2774.

Statement on OPDC's work related to development

OPDC seeks to mitigate impacts of development in order to protect the community. 

While OPDC never sought a contribution, Wexford Science + Technology ultimately proposed a holistic, win-win agreement that would benefit the entire community.  This agreement is unique in that the parties reached this compromise to resolve a legal dispute and does not represent OPDC providing carte blanche approval of the development. 

OPDC is proud of this transparent, community-focused resolution to protracted litigation.  OPDC’s priority is the residents of Oakland, especially those lower wealth individuals who can be left behind when development pressure raises prices in the neighborhood and squeezes people out of opportunity.

Green Grocer

The Green Grocer mobile farmer’s market delivers to Oakland on Thursdays through March.

By: Maura McCampbell, Marketing & Community Programs Coordinator 

March 25, 2021 UPDATE: The Green Grocer delivery service is finished for the season but plans to resume in December 2021. In-person markets start in April; the closest stop to Oakland is in the Hill District at the Centre Heldman Plaza on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month until November. Please click here for the full schedule.

Eating your veggies just got easier! The Green Grocer mobile farmers market now serves Oakland with weekly produce deliveries. Green Grocer, an operation of The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, offers doorstep delivery of 31 different fruits and vegetables. With affordable prices, no minimum order requirement, and no delivery charge, it's a service you don't want to miss. 

In addition to convenient delivery, Green Grocer’s new program addresses food insecurity in Pittsburgh. One in every five Pittsburghers qualifies as food insecure, meaning they cannot consistently meet their basic nutritional needs. This rate is nearly twice the national average and is distributed unevenly across the city. As of 2017, food insecurity rates ranged from 27-39% in South, Central, and West Oakland, with the pandemic sharply accelerating food insecurity in some Pittsburgh communities. Like many Pittsburgh neighborhoods, Oakland does not have a full-service grocery store, leaving residents to drive, walk, or take public transit outside of their communities for groceries.  

This food insecurity is precisely what Green Grocer is working to address. The program began setting up seasonal pop-up markets in Pittsburgh's food deserts in 2015. It started the delivery service this January as a COVID-safe way to continue services throughout the winter.

“People need fresh, healthy food all year round," Mobile Market coordinator Jordan Bailley said. "While we typically run a mobile farmers market, the low winter temperatures have consistently forced us to cancel about half of our January and February markets over the past few years. We thought a weekly produce delivery service would be helpful to anyone interested, especially those without affordable, reliable transportation and those without an ability to feel safe leaving their homes during the ongoing pandemic."

Green Grocer does not require an income qualification, meaning the service is available to anyone who lives in a delivery zone. In addition to feeless delivery, they accept a range of food vouchers. Customers can pay for produce with SNAP/EBT, Food Bucks, Food Bucks Rx, Just Harvest tokens, or FMNP Bucks. Customers receive a $2 Food Bucks coupon for every $2 of produce purchased on a SNAP/EBT card. 

South Oakland resident Randy Sargent was ecstatic to learn of Green Grocer's services. "It's fantastic to have a delivery option for SNAP purchases that brings fresh produce to the home without any delivery fee," Sargent said. "Many Pittsburgh residents don't have cars, and South Oakland is a food desert, far from the nearest supermarket." 

Currently scheduled to run through March 2021, the delivery service could continue if there’s enough interest. To place an order with Green Grocer, you can call 412-745-6598 Mondays between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. or order online at greengrocerpgh.shop. (Note that the web address must be entered without www. in front of it). Orders for Oakland must be placed by Wednesday at 9:00 a.m., with delivery happening Thursdays between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. You can find a complete list of zip codes and their delivery days here. 

You can call 412-745-6499 or email GreenGrocer@PittsburghFoodBank.org for more information about the service.  

Looking for more food assistance services? Here are some local operations to check out:

·       Community Human Services (CHS) Food Pantry Distribution: Thursdays: 3 – 6:00 p.m. and

Fridays: 11:00 a.m. - 2 p.m.

·       Friendship Community Church: 3rd Thursday of the month: 4 – 6:00 p.m.

·       Islamic Center of Pittsburgh Food Distribution: 3rd Saturday of the month:

10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

·       South Oakland Food Distribution at Frazier Field House: Tuesdays and

Thursdays: 3 – 5:00 p.m.

·       St. George Cathedral: 3rd Saturday of the month: 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

·        Pitt Pantry Distribution: Wednesdays: 3 - 7:00 p.m. and Fridays: 1 – 5:00 p.m.

Pittsburgh’s Disruptive Properties office is on the case

By: Maura McCampbell, Marketing & Community Programs Coordinator 

Oakland residents know first-hand what it’s like to live near disruptive properties. But what exactly is a disruptive property as the city defines it?  

A disruptive property is one that “places a substantial threat and burden on the common health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the City of Pittsburgh.” That “substantial threat and burden” means that police or city inspectors have had to respond to three or more complaints of disruptive activity within a one-year window.  

Once a property is declared disruptive by the city, the defendant has the opportunity to appear before the Disruptive Properties Board in a scheduled hearing. The hearings are closed to the public but the complaining organization, citizen, police, or city inspector will be notified of the hearing and can attend in order to testify.  

The list of violations that can lead to being classified as a disruptive property is long, and may sound familiar: noise, underage drinking, scattered garbage/litter, excessively tall weeds, public drunkenness, and disorderly conduct – just to name a few. The complete list can be found athttps://pittsburghpa.gov/publicsafety/disruptive-properties 

Recently, OPDC sat down, via Zoom, with John Tokarski and Ian Reynolds, Pittsburgh Safer Together Coordinators at the city’s Disruptive Properties Office, to answer a few questions from Oakland residents. 

How can residents report a disruptive property?
If you witness a dangerous situation, such as underage drinking, or if police action is needed immediately – call 911.  

The best way to make sure complaints are tracked by the Disruptive Properties Office is to call the city’s helpline at 311 (online at www.pittsburghpa.gov/311 or tweet to @pgh311).

In addition, people can contact John Tokarski (412-225-2117 or john.tokarski@pittsburghpa.gov) to notify him of a disruptive property. Doing so allows him to pull all of the logged information on a specific property from 311 and the police. Find out more about landlords and 311 complaints in the following videos. 

Who’s in the Disruptive Properties Office? 

Safer Together Coordinators Ian Reynolds and John Tokarski represent Pittsburgh’s six zones, with Mr. Reynolds taking zones 2, 3, and 5, and Mr. Tokarski taking zones 1, 4, and 6.  Since Oakland’s neighborhoods are in Zone 4, John Tokarski handles disruptive properties in Oakland.  

The Disruptive Properties Board currently has several vacancies. Interested in being on the board? Disruptive Properties is looking for dedicated applicants who will help hold offenders accountable and advance the office's work. Email Ian Reynolds at ian.reynolds@pittsburghpa.gov to learn how to apply.  

Learn more about the Disruptive Properties Board in this video segment. 

OPDC is grateful to Mr. Reynolds and Mr. Tokarski for their time and consideration in talking with us. 

If you want to learn more about the Disruptive Properties Office, please email John Tokarski at or john.tokarski@pittsburghpa.gov or Ian Reynolds at ian.reynolds@pittsburghpa.gov. 

If you have an Oakland-specific complaint or observation, please contact Oakwatch via Lizabeth Gray at lgray@opdc.org or 412-335-0993. 

Oakwatch Mission:  The Oakland Code Enforcement Project works to improve the quality of life in Oakland by bringing people and institutions together to identify code violations, advocate for their remediation and monitor the outcomes.

For more on Oakwatch, including upcoming meetings and previous minutes, please click here.