Hazelwood’s newly-built affordable homes marked with ribbon-cutting | The Homepage

Man who launched project honored with proclamation for 44 years promoting housing, health care

By Juliet Martinez, managing editor

From left: Sen. Jay Costa, Mayor Ed Gainey, Hazelwood Initiative Executive Director Sonya Tilghman, Quianna Wasler, one of Mr. Brewton's grandchildren, District 1 Councilor Bobby Wilson, Pittsburgh Land Bank Manager Sally Stadelman, former Hazelwood Initiative real estate director David Brewton, and another of Mr. Brewton's grandchildren. Photo by Juliet Martinez

The first new-construction homes to be built from the ground up in Hazelwood since 2009 were celebrated on July 19 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. And a surprise mayoral proclamation honored the man who launched this affordable homeownership project three years ago, Hazelwood Initiative’s former director of real estate, David Brewton.

Mr. Brewton, who retired in March, attended the ceremony without knowing that his wife, Barbara Brewton, had nominated him for the proclamation. She also secretly invited friends and family from around the country to attend.

Hazelwood residents, Hazelwood Initiative board members and staff, Mr. and Ms. Brewton, their daughter, two sons and three grandchildren, his mother and her husband, his sister and her husband, and longtime family friends all gathered on the 300 block of Flowers Avenue outside the brand-new homes.

Hazelwood Initiative executive director Sonya Tilghman said the event was an exciting milestone, but its goal will be achieved when low- and moderate-income families move in.

Ms. Tilghman said the homes “stand as a symbol of hope for families who have faced challenges, offering them stability and security, and a place to call their own here in Hazelwood.”

Priced at $205,000, buyers with incomes between 50% and 80% of the Area Median Income may qualify for a soft second mortgage of up to $90,000, plus an additional $7500 in down payment or closing cost assistance. Monthly mortgage payments are estimated between $1,000 and $1,200.

Hazelwood Initiative plans to renovate five more homes in the neighborhood. They will be ready for sale in 2025, according to Real Estate Director Nancy Noszka.

Stabilizing neighborhoods

Mayor Ed Gainey praised the project as part of efforts to stabilize neighborhoods and stem Pittsburgh’s population loss.

“There’s only one way to stabilize neighborhoods. That’s through affordability,” he said. “That’s to make sure that all of our residents have an opportunity to own or rent an affordable unit.”

The Pittsburgh Land Bank played a key role in the project. The lots were the third ever sale by the land bank, and the first project to be completed, according to Pittsburgh Land Bank manager Sally Stadelman.

Land bank chair and District 1 city councilor Bobby Wilson recalled the effort and political maneuvering involved in getting the land bank to the point where it could serve its intended purpose of moving unproductive properties back onto the tax rolls. As one of the first sales, the Flowers Avenue project was part of that transition.

The development received some of its funding through the Affordable For-Sale Development program of the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh.

Quianna Wasler, the authority’s chief housing officer, called the new homes a symbol of “hope, progress and opportunity for all Pittsburgh residents.”

Repairer of broken walls

Mr. Gainey took turns reading the proclamation in Mr. Brewton’s honor with Sen. Jay Costa and Mr. Wilson.

“We have to say thank you,” Mr. Gainey said, describing Mr. Brewton as having lived his life “fighting for the cause of good neighborhoods and good communities.”

It notes that the Bible verse Isaiah 58:12 has inspired Mr. Brewton's career path. The verse says, “Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.”

Mr. Brewton spent his 44-year career advocating for both affordable housing and health care. He raised over $52 million and developed 166 units of affordable housing in that career. Through his work, 100 at-risk families have obtained health care.

He launched initiatives promoting youth employment, discount home repair and the preservation of affordable rental housing.

“These initiatives have significantly improved the lives of some of Pittsburgh’s most vulnerable residents, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to social justice,” Mr. Wilson read.

Mr. Gainey concluded the reading and handed the proclamation to Mr. Brewton.

Then Mr. Brewton, two of his granddaughters, Ms. Tilghman, Mr. Gainey, Ms. Wasler, Mr. Wilson and Ms. Stadelman lined up to cut the blue ribbon with oversized scissors. Everyone cheered.

To learn more about buying a home from Hazelwood Initiative, Inc., please email Nancy Noszka, Director of Real Estate.