PITTSBURGH – A $120 million project to help solve the affordable housing crisis will begin in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh will be receiving $10 million for the next 12 years from the Housing Opportunity Fund.

The Housing Opportunity Fund Department was created to meet the need for affordable housing across the city. They will be holding various meetings throughout the month for the community to give feedback about the HOF Allocation Plan for 2018 and 2019.

According to the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA), an Affordable Housing Task Force studied the need for housing among low income residents.

“The city commissioned an Affordable Housing Task Force to study the availability of and the need for affordable housing in the city … (The Task Force) identified that there is a shortage of approximately 15,000 units available to households that earn less than 30 percent of the Area Median Income in the city,” said the URA.

The HOF was created in 2016 after Task Force findings. Currently, residents will be able to share their opinions on the future of the Allocation Plan throughout the month in the community meetings.

“These community meetings provide the opportunity for Pittsburgh residents to voice their opinions and shape the future funding priorities of the 2019 HOF Allocation Plan,” said officials in a statement. “The feedback will be presented to the HOF Advisory Board, which they will take into consideration prior to the approval of the 2019 Allocation.”

Last year, the HOF Advisory Board approved various programs due to community feedback, including the Rental Gap Program, Homeowner Assistance Program and Housing Stabilization Program.

Through the Housing Opportunity Fund, the URA can offer zero percent interest loans and grants for households 50 percent less than the median income level.

The next community meeting will be held on Feb. 14 at the Kingsley Association Center from 6:00-7:30 pm.

Individuals can register for the meetings via Eventbrite or RSVP here.