Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) is a tool to ensure neighborhoods have available housing units at a variety of price points. It does this by tying the construction of affordable housing to that of market-rate housing. IZ has been in effect in Lawrenceville since 2019, when Council approved a pilot of the initiative. Since then, it has expanded to Bloomfield and Polish Hill, with Oakland hoping to be the next neighborhood to reap its benefits.
Last Friday, only 10 days after Mayor Gainey signed IZ into law for Bloomfield and Polish Hill, the Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh (BAMP) filed federal and state lawsuits against the city, claiming that IZ is unconstitutional.
In response, community organizers across the city have joined in a coordinated effort to defend IZ. Neighborhood partners including Lawrenceville United, Lawrenceville Corporation, Bloomfield Development Corporation, Polish Hill Civic Association, Pittsburgh United, and OPDC drafted a press release in response to the lawsuit filed. You can read it here.
The Mayor and your City Council people need to hear from you—IZ is an essential tool for protecting communities and providing opportunities, helping working families to put down roots in our neighborhood, and ensuring Oakland’s continued vibrancy and sustainability. You can call the Mayor’s Office at 412-255-5626. To find your City Council representative, click here. We’ll continue to provide updates as they become available.
On Wednesday, May 25, at 1:30 p.m. City Council will hold a hearing on Council Bill 2021-1906, formerly known as “Oakland Crossings.” Council needs to hear from you about how important it is to preserve affordable homeownership. We encourage you to attend and provide feedback to Council members.