Community leaders and affordable lending experts are taking their knowledge on location Saturday in an effort to reach people most in need.
Pittsburgh’s Affordable Housing Roadshow kicks off at 11 a.m. at Petra International Ministries in Penn Hills, bringing together lenders, faith groups and other community organizations to connect residents with home ownership resources, credit education, and financial guidance. The event is free. Doors open at 10:30 a.m.
Representatives of PNC Bank, TransUnion, Petra International Ministries, and the Mount Ararat Baptist Church, in collaboration with the Pittsburgh alumni chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, will be on hand.
The event is designed to educate and empower both current and future homeowners by offering guidance on navigating the home-buying process, understanding credit health, and connecting attendees with housing assistance programs through Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.
“Events like this are really important. It helps people know all the resources available to them,” said Ed Nusser, director of housing strategy for Allegheny County.
Attendees will have opportunities to receive mortgage pre-approvals and soft credit pulls that will not impact their credit scores. Organizers say the event also will provide direct access to information about down payment assistance programs, grants, and resource availability to families across a range of income levels.
This marks the second year the county has participated in the Roadshow, with Nusser serving as this year’s representative for the county.
Nusser said last year’s event was well attended and organizers are expecting an even stronger turnout this year.
Wil Hendrix Griffin, head of affordable lending at PNC Bank, said the Roadshow reflects a long-standing national initiative that has been operating for 15 to 20 years across major U.S. cities, including Pittsburgh. He said PNC has been involved in similar efforts for at least 16 years.
“PNC is committed to programs, products and initiatives, sitting down and explaining it to the people of the community, and offering real solutions across Allegheny County and across Pennsylvania.”
Griffin said the initiative is built on partnership between financial institutions and faith-based organizations, particularly churches, that help connect the lenders with the local communities.
Programming throughout the day will include discussions on factors to consider when purchasing a home, improving Financial Readiness, and understanding how credit impacts long-term Financial opportunities. Representatives from TransUnion are expected to provide insight into maintaining and improving credit health, while local housing and government Representatives will discuss programs available through the city of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.
This year’s Pittsburgh stop is one of 237 Roadshow events nationwide, said Griffin.
Organizers encourage residents interested in purchasing a home, improving their financial literacy, or learning more about housing assistance opportunities to attend.
More information is available at http://www.tinyurl.com/pittsburghroadshow2026. Those planning to attend can call or text 412-284-5412 for additional information.
If you go:
What: Pittsburgh’s Affordable Housing Roadshow
When: Saturday, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Doors open at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Petra International Ministries, 235 Eastgate Drive, Penn Hills