Allegheny County is investing more than $2 million to address blighted properties. The funding comes from the Act 152 Blight Removal Program, which will support 22 projects aimed at demolishing 91 blighted structures, according to a community announcement.
The Act 152 program was established in 2021 and dedicates $15 from each county deed transfer to a demolition fund that targets blight throughout Allegheny County. The program provides financial assistance to municipalities and their partners to demolish blighted and unsafe structures, prepare sites for development and carry out multiphase planning in areas of high need.
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Since its creation, the program has awarded more than $10.35 million and has removed 223 structures throughout Allegheny County.
Community Development Block Grant Program
In addition to the blight removal efforts, Allegheny County Economic Development has awarded $9.5 million through the federally funded Community Development Block Grant Program to support 74 projects focused on affordable housing, infrastructure improvements and economic development.
The CDBG Program is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which provides Allegheny County an annual entitlement allocation. Eligible activities include housing rehabilitation, homeowner assistance, sewer and water improvements, street reconstruction and job creation initiatives.
"Behind every one of these 96 projects are real people, families looking for a safe and affordable place to live, neighbors who deserve streets and sidewalks they can count on, and residents who have watched blighted properties sit next door for far too long," Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato said in the announcement.
This article by Gabby Sartori was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Allegheny County awards $2M to demolish 91 blighted buildings
