Join Our Application for a Free Tree in Oakland

Planting trees is better with friends. 

OPDC is seeking a critical mass of Oakland neighbors to sign up for a tree through TreeVitalize Pittsburgh. We need to meet a ten-tree minimum for TreeVitalize Pittsburgh to accept our application for the spring planting season.  

Signing up is easy. Property owners can reach out to Sam Gallagher at sgallagher@opdc.org by December 1 to express their interest. 

If our application is accepted, property owners can expect to receive a call from TreeVitalize Pittsburgh to explain the specifics and confirm that they still want the tree. 

One of the biggest concerns that TreeVitalize Pittsburgh GIS Coordinator Brian Crooks hears is that people don’t want trees ripping up sidewalks or interfering with utility lines. 

Brian Crooks

“That happens because people made poor decisions about the type of tree and location,” says Crooks. “Our trees are much less likely to cause hardscape issues or get hacked apart and made into goalposts.” 

Crooks visits sites over the winter to prepare for the spring planting. “We assess every address where trees are requested so we can determine the appropriate species,” says Crooks. 

Almost all trees are planted in the public right of way—very often, the grass strip between the sidewalk and the street. Trees can also be planted in front yards in a way that feels like part of the streetscape.  

TreeVitalize Pittsburgh receives funding from the state to prep sites and buy trees, all at no cost to the adjacent property owner. OPDC then helps to organize a local event for volunteers to plant the trees around Oakland. 

“Everyone loves planting a tree,” says Ned Brockmeyer, TreeVitalize Program Manager for the state. “The best part is the community involvement. That’s always what it takes.” 

TreeVitalize requests that property owners or community groups commit to watering each tree for the first two seasons. “80% of the roots are left at the nursery,” says Crooks. “The tree needs to grow new roots. They’re not self-sufficient, so we have to put them where they are wanted.”  

Join our application today to help us increase the tree canopy, decrease urban heat islands, and support green equity in Oakland.

Resolve Tangled Title to Stabilize Homeownership

This piece was originally featured in Oakland Together, a monthly newsletter mailed to older Oakland residents.

One important way families build wealth is by passing their home to the next generation. However, this wealth can be threatened by “tangled title.”

Tangled title is a broad term covering situations when family members have an interest in a home, may even be occupying it, but are not on the deed. This commonly occurs when a parent passes away and does not leave a will, or if they had a will but the heirs do not open an estate.

Tangled title causes many types of difficulties: residents are unable to get financial help from public agencies for repairs, deal with a delinquent mortgage, or obtain homeowner’s insurance.

Peter Lewis, attorney at NLS

“That’s where we come in,” says Peter Lewis, an attorney at Neighborhood Legal Services (NLS). “We can help individuals or refer them to other programs they are eligible for.”

Tangled title is a problem here in Oakland, just like most city neighborhoods. Lewis estimates there are at least 4,000 tangled title properties in Allegheny County. These homes are at risk of becoming abandoned and condemned.

“People start getting harassing phone calls and letters, so they leave,” says Lewis. “Resolving these cases is one solution for affordable housing. What’s more affordable than a house you already live in?”

The people who come to NLS for help understand this. “It’s kind of amazing. They’re aware of the ramifications and want to preserve intergenerational wealth,” says Lewis. “The goal is to stabilize home ownership and possession.”

Are you living in a home with a tangled title? NLS can help. Apply through their website or call the intake unit at 1.866.761.6572.

Adopt-a-Block Volunteers Take Ownership of Oakland

We know you are concerned about trash—that's why OPDC organizes students into Adopt-a-Block groups to clean up the streets we all share.

“OPDC recruits groups of students—neighbors from a street, folks in a service organization, etc.—to adopt a block for an academic year,” says Sam Gallagher, Community Engagement Specialist at OPDC. “They promise to keep their eyes on the ground and, at least once a month, host a clean-up event along a particular route.”

Picking up trash with Adopt-a-Block is easy because OPDC coordinates with the Department of Public Works (DPW) to collect garbage at the end of each clean-up event. Volunteers send us pics of their haul and we track their service hours, which we provide upon request.

Hannah Fierle, PULSE fellow at OPDC

Coordinating this year’s efforts is Hannah Fierle, a PULSE fellow at OPDC. “My role is to communicate with existing and potential volunteers, collect data on routes, and build rapport with volunteers,” says Fierle. “From the time they pick up their supplies to the time they drop off their collected trash, volunteers can get in touch with me.”

Fierle knows our streets well—she was a renter here while studying at Chatham University. “I’m excited to be involved with Adopt-a-Block in a community that I lived in. My old apartment building is in Adopt-a-Block Route 17.”

Students often come to OPDC looking for service hours, but leave with a deeper appreciation for the community. “Adopt-a-Block is a first step to forming good relationships with long-term residents,” says Gallagher. “My favorite part is when students thank me for the opportunity to get themselves out there and see who lives in the community.”

Do you know students interested in building pride of place in Oakland? Reach out to Hannah Fierle at hfierle@opdc.org to take part and learn more.

We're Hiring: Assistant Property Manager

POSITION TITLE: Assistant Property Manager

RESPONSIBLE TO: Property Manager

POSITION GOALS: To support the Property Manager and the property management team to provide quality affordable rental units and responsive customer service to our tenants, and to ensure tenant records are complete and accurate.

Oakland Planning and Development Corporation’s mission is to build a better Oakland and help neighbors thrive. OPDC is a nonprofit community development organization with multi-faceted programs. We provide affordable rental housing, sell homes to homeowners, organize and advocate for residents, facilitate planning processes, and support youth and families with services to succeed and thrive.

Position Description

OPDC has a rental portfolio of 101 residential units, including a project-based Section 8 building and a LIHTC development; these properties have very specific requirements for tenant eligibility certification. The Assistant Property Manager assists the Property Manager to ensure available units are leased up on a timely basis, that tenant eligibility is correctly documented, and that leases are accurate and complete. The Assistant Property Manager records rent deposits, and provides other administrative support to the property management team, to ensure that work and information flow smoothly. The Assistant Property Manager works collaboratively with OPDC’s community services team, who provide wraparound support for tenants.

 Position Responsibilities

• Under the direction of the Property Manager, market and fill vacant units consistent with affordability goals and regulations; conduct background checks, credit history, and income verifications for affordable units.

• Hold primary responsibility for accurate and complete lease files.

• Provide excellent customer service to OPDC’s tenants, answer leasing questions, and assist the property management team to field and direct calls and inquiries.

• Work collaboratively with OPDC’s community services team to ensure tenants experiencing hardships are connected with all available supports and can follow through on rental obligations. Collaborate with staff colleagues to connect tenants to community activities, and coordinate with service providers to address tenant needs.

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in our property management database; run reports as required for accounting and public agencies.

• Assist Property Manager to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations, including annual certifications. Prepare files for audit by external agencies and assist the team to manage information collection. Maintain a tracking system to know far in advance of government requirements, deadlines, etc.

• Maintain strong working relationships with – and a smooth flow of information to and from – public and private agencies providing subsidy and support for OPDC tenants.

 Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or 5 years’ relevant experience.

• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills. Demonstrated experience working congenially with difficult people.

• Demonstrated ability to solve problems thoughtfully and effectively, with great tact and discretion.

• Demonstrated ability to organize information and workflow in a fast-paced environment, with keen attention to detail and procedure.

• Enthusiastic, self-motivated worker with a strong sense of personal responsibility.

• Team player; open to nonprofit environment where each staff member may be called upon to do unglamorous work or fill in for another person on occasion.

• Knowledge of – or willingness to learn – rental market, PA landlord-tenant law, and fair housing law. Knowledge of – or willingness to learn – public-sector subsidy programs for affordable housing and attendant regulations.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, and willingness to learn new software as needed. Experience with rental property management database software a plus.

• Must pass PA criminal history and credit background checks.

To Apply:

Please send an email to aboykowycz@opdc.org with resume and cover letter.

This is a full-time position. Compensation is commensurate with experience for a specialist level position at our nonprofit. OPDC offers generous benefit package including health, dental, vision, life/disability insurance, and 403b retirement plan.

OPDC is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Garbage Olympics 2022: Results + Photos

Garbage Olympics was a success!

Thanks to the efforts of 75 volunteers, Oakland teams cleaned up Central, South, and Oakcliffe, collecting 116 trash bags, 3 chairs, 1 tire, 2 TVs, and a piñata.

Garbage Olympics is a Pittsburgh-wide competition between neighborhoods to see who can get the most litter, debris, and garbage off our beloved city streets.

Here are some photos from the event on Saturday, September 17, 2022.