Hazelwood Initiative plans to build 3 houses to sell to lower-income residents

A Hazelwood nonprofit is looking to build three affordable, for-sale houses in the Pittsburgh neighborhood.

Hazelwood Initiative will build three, three-bedroom houses with one-and-a-half bathrooms on Flowers Street, with a goal of selling them to low-income residents.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority on Thursday unanimously approved a $245,000 grant to help the nonprofit pay for the $1.4 million project, which also is receiving federal and state funding, according to information provided by the URA.

The homes will be designated as affordable housing for people making no more than 80% of the area median income, said Victoria Jackson, a lending analyst with the URA. Hazelwood Initiative is aiming to sell two of the houses to households making no more than 60% of the area median income.

The URA said the area median income ranges from $70,300 for one person to $132,600 for a family of eight.

The nonprofit plans to sell the houses for $245,000 each.

It was not immediately clear when construction would begin or how long it is expected to take.

Dave Brewton, senior director of real estate for Hazelwood Initiative, said the nonprofit met with residents Tuesday to discuss the plans.

“The project was well-received with literally no concerns expressed,” Brewton said.

City Councilwoman Barb Warwick, D-Greenfield, said she was pleased to see the nonprofit developing three-bedroom homes that can comfortably house families, which she said is needed in Hazelwood.

“We want homes that can accommodate families,” she said.