A collaborative effort spearheaded by Bethlehem Haven, Pittsburgh Mercy, and ACTION-Housing has marked the commencement of significant affordable housing development in Uptown, Pittsburgh. At a groundbreaking ceremony last Wednesday, the parties involved celebrated the initiation of the $22.8 million project to address the city's urgent need for low-income housing. According to WPXI, the development, Uptown Flats, will replace four vacant buildings on Fifth Avenue, which Bethlehem Haven has acquired for this initiative.
The Uptown Flats development is poised to be a sanctuary for affordability in a cityscape often challenging for low-income earners—it will comprise 34 apartments, accompanying supportive services, and administrative offices for Bethlehem Haven. In a report by TribLIVE, Annette Fetchko, the executive director of Bethlehem Haven, described the effort as one that will "improve lives by empowering residents on the path to self-sufficiency." The complex's amenities are set to include a community room, an outdoor courtyard, and practical features like bike parking and laundry facilities.
Demolition of the existing structures on the site is scheduled for later this month. Meanwhile, construction is set to kick off in January of 2025. Once completed, the 36,000-square-foot building will cater to individuals and families earning less than 30% of the area's median income—ensuring that no more than 30% of a resident's income is spent on rent, including utilities. The development marks an expansion in Bethlehem Haven's mission, following a $4.2 million renovation of its Fifth Avenue location earlier this year. That renovation project enhanced facilities for supportive housing, benefiting 26 women and non-gender conforming individuals.