Braddock, Pennsylvania: Affordable Housing for Artists Helps Revitalize the Commercial Center of a Steel Town

July 19, 2022  

Braddock, Pennsylvania: Affordable Housing for Artists Helps Revitalize the Commercial Center of a Steel Town

HUD User publishes a series of case studies based on federal, state, and local strategies that increase affordable housing opportunities and support sustainable community development. The projects and community development efforts featured in these reports have demonstrated innovation through a multitude of partnerships and initiatives.

Located less than 10 miles east of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the borough of Braddock has attempted to revitalize its formerly vibrant commercial core over the past decade. Braddock’s economic fortunes, long closely tied to the success of the Edgar Thomson Steel Works plant (now owned by U.S. Steel), have declined as the area deindustrialized. In recent years, the borough has pursued the adaptive reuse of historic assets to generate new commercial and residential activity. The Ohringer Arts Building, with 37 units of affordable rental housing targeted to artists, is an architecturally significant structure in Braddock’s central business district that was once a thriving furniture store.

Visit HUD User’s Case Studies page to learn more about affordable housing and to view other innovative community revitalization strategies.

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