Vacant Property Overview
WCDC supports the transition of vacant spaces into transformative opportunities.
Do you have a will? If not, reach out today.
Through the 2022 calendar year, the WCDC is working with Kalmeyer and Kalmeyer to support Wilkinsburg residents in preparing a will, estate planning, and other legal transactions related to real estate transactions. Submit your information below to join the program.
The State of Vacancy in Wilkinsburg 2022
Over 18% of Wilkinsburg’s building stock is vacant, along with over 500 tax delinquent vacant lots.
Rather than focus on the negative aspects of blight and vacancy, the WCDC works to support efforts to turn vacant spaces into opportunities to transform an empty lot to a vibrant garden, a blighted building to a growing business, and a vacant house to a home. We do this by highlighting available properties, connecting people with tools and resources, such as the Vacant Property Recovery Program, and sharing success stories.
Throughout the past year, the WCDC has worked with the community to create Seeking Solutions: Blight & Vacancy in Wilkinsburg, a comprehensive report on the status of vacancy across the borough. Click the button below to read the report.

How do you acquire vacant property in Wilkinsburg?
One of the biggest issues facing Wilkinsburg is vacant property and blight. Nearly 20 percent–close to 900 parcels–of Wilkinsburg’s houses and commercial buildings are vacant and/or blighted.
Though a major issue, vacant property also presents an opportunity to acquire a house or building for a very low cost. There are several tools and resources for acquiring vacant property. Still, the process of acquiring a vacant property can be a bit daunting, so the WCDC developed a downloadable how-to guide with flowchart and table of acquisition options to walk you through the process.
Getting started
The best way to start is to locate a vacant property or properties you are interested in by simply driving or walking around. Then, research the property on the Allegheny County Real Estate website.
Acquiring Vacant Property
What happens next depends. Not every process is a good fit for every property or every prospective buyer. Our downloadable guide lays out all the ways in which you an acquire vacant property, but the three most common options are:

General Tools & Resources
Rehab & Reuse
- List of local contractors, designers, architects, suppliers in Wilkinsburg.
- Reusing Vacant Properties – Tools and strategies from the Center for Community Progress.
- Code Enforcement – Info, forms and permits needed in Borough of Wilkinsburg.
- Weatherization – Program by ACTION Housing.
- Home Repair and Safety – Resources from a variety of service providers.
- Get the Lead Out Pittsburgh – Information on led safe demolition practices
- Deconstruction 101 – A helpful introduction to the practice of Deconstruction provided by Construction Junction
Financing
- Tax Abatement – Through the Borough of Wilkinsburg.
- Mortgage Assistance Program – Through ACTION Housing.
- FHA 203k Loans – Loan requirements for 2021.
- FHA 203k Loans – Information on loans & renovation programs in Wilkinsburg by the Rehab Loan Network.
- 203k Loans – Administered by PA Capital Mortgage.
- FHA 203k Loan– PrimeLending offers both smaller and larger loan programs depending on the amount required to rehab a property
- Federal Home Loan Bank (FHL Bank) – Offers services such as low-interest loans, and closing cost assistance for first time home buyers.
- Home Renovation Loans – Wesbanco offers loans and renovations in a package program
- HomeStyle Renovation – Provided by Huntington Bank which allows the bundling of purchasing a home and rehabbing.
Legal
- Pittsburgh Pro Bono Center – Has a number of free resources and programs.
- Legal Resources About Housing – Resources and information provided by Neighborhood Legal Services.

acant Land
These resources are focused on the acquisition, reclamation and reuse of vacant land where no buildings or structures are present.
Acquiring Vacant Land
- This General Overview of considerations is relevant for both vacant structures and vacant land.
- The County’s Vacant Property Recovery Program includes options for vacant lot recovery.
- The Sheriff’s Sale process is applicable to vacant lots as well.
- The Vacant Land Stewardship Online Center offers a well of information for local leaders to help bring awareness and strategize on projects related to activating vacant land.
Reclamation/Reuse/Volunteer Greening
- Wilkinsburg and Pollinator Garden Resources
- Litter Clean Up Kits – Supplies provided by Allegheny CleanWays & Friends of the Riverfront
- Lots to Love – A guide by Grounded for community organizations and residents interested in transforming vacant lots.
- Pittsburgh Mobile Toolbox – A shared community resource with landscaping tools for neighborhood cleanups, vacant lot beautification.
- CommunityCare – Apply to participate in an incentive-based stewardship program that works with residents to beautify their neighborhoods
- Refresh Fund – Apply for up to $500 worth of materials and supplies for a vacant lot project
- Land Doctor – Team of community project consultants that provide direct assistance to any resident looking to access, reclaim, transform, or otherwise take care of vacant land in their neighborhood
- Grow Pittsburgh – Has an innovative guide on what to look for when evaluating a plot for a community garden along with best practices and resources available.
Homebuyers/Housing
Resources and information on homebuying and housing stabilization programs.
Homeownership
- Preparing for Homeownership – Guidance provided by NeighborWorks.
- Landmarks Preservations Resource Center – Educational programming on historic preservation by Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation.
- City of Bridges Buyer–Initiated Home Purchasing Program– A program aimed at helping low and moderate homebuyers the opportunity to purchase affordable property.
Closing Costs Assistance
- Down Payment Assistance Program with NeighborWorks.
- Closing Cost Assistance Program from First National Bank.
Housing Stabilization
- Preserving Homeownership – Counseling on mortgage foreclosure by NeighborWorks.
- Legal Resources About Housing – Neighborhood Legal Services list of various resources.
- Housing Connector ACTION Housing program to assist people with varying disabilities, connecting them to independent housing options.
- Emergency Housing Guide – Caring.com provided senior care resources
- Emergency Housing Guide – Seniorhousing.net provided senior care resources
Rehab & Repair
- Home Improvement Loan Program – For owner-occupied primary residences with income restrictions; administered by Allegheny County.
- Real Estate Rehab Loans – From the Landmarks Community Capital Corporation, a subsidiary of the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation.
- Home Rehabilitation Program through First National Bank.
- 203k Loans – By PA Capital Mortgage to finance the purchase and renovation of a primary residence.
- Hebrew Free Loan – Offers interest-free loans for home renovation and repairs.
- Home Renovation Loans – Wesbanco offers loans and renovations in a package program.
- HomeStyle Renovation – Provided by Huntington Bank which allows the bundling of purchasing a home and rehabbing.
- FHA 203K Loan – PrimeLending offers both smaller and larger loan programs depending on the amount required to rehab a property.
- Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh – Offers technical and direct assistance for home repairs, accessibility modifications, and energy efficiency upgrades
- Weatherization program by ACTION Housing.
- Home Repair and Safety – Resources from a variety of service providers.
Renter Resources
These resources are focused on programs to assist renters.
Rental Assistance
- Allegheny County Emergency Rental Assistance Program – Administered by ACTION Housing via Allegheny County (help paying rent and utilities if you’re struggling due to COVID-19).
- Free, voluntary, confidential mediation offered by Just Mediation Pittsburgh.
- RentHelpPgh – Helps provide access to resources to renters in need.
- Legal Representation – Through Neighborhood Legal Services to low-income residents at risk of displacement
Legal Protections
- Tenants’ Guide to Renting – Where to go for assistance by Neighborhood Legal Services.
- Tenants’ Rights and Protections Against Utility Shut Offs – Learn your rights as a renter with Neighborhood Legal Services.

Learn More:
Glossary of Terms – By the WCDC related to development, real estate, and vacant property/blight.
Conservatorship – Information from the PA Housing Alliance Blight Library.
FAQs on Land Banks by the Center for Community Progress.
How Community Land Trusts work by Grounded Solutions.
Learn more about some of the work City of Bridges a local land trust has been doing.
Building Stronger Neighborhoods – From Center for Community Progress, includes links for preventing involuntary displacement, building income/wealth, preserving affordable housing stock.
What Other Cities are Doing – case studies by the Center for Community Progress.
Sustainable Building Overview – What does it mean and how does it work?
Webinars from experts across the country on various topics – An archive of online education.
