Resident-Driven Vacant Property Remediation

Operation Better Block, Inc. (OBB)Through a pilot project, established a twelve-step process for resident-driven vacant property remediation. These twelve steps cover a comprehensive set of actions that includes: gathering and analyzing data; engaging residents and giving them support/resources; creating a vision for the target block cluster; and providing the appropriate tools to implement the vision. The driving force of this process is providing residents with access to knowledge, resources, and tools so that residents can do two things: remain in their homes and create a vision for the area around their homes.OBB—with the support of RK Mellon, Heinz Endowments, Pittsburgh Partnership for Neighborhood Development, and the Housing Alliance—created a how-to guide called the Community Development Fundamentals. The Community Development Fundamentals guide details three specific practices: resident and vacancy surveys, publicly-owned vacant lot maintenance, and the Bureau of Building Inspection processes. These three areas are some of OBB’s greatest lessons from the pilot project, and OBB hopes that other community groups will be able to use the lessons as a guide for residents to lead the way for revitalization.On September 26th, over fifty people attended OBB’s manual release event which was sponsored by the Housing Alliance. Then, on October 8th, OBB held the first of many trainings. At OBB’s training, participants received a manual and a walk-through of the twelve-step process. OBB is very excited that their work in Homewood could be replicated in other parts of the City and County.For more information, contact OBB’s Community Development Coordinator, Demi Kolke, at dkolke@obbinc.org or (412) 731-1908.