Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh

Just Completed Home Repairs – Summer Edition

Laura Peckyno — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 19:14:07 +0000

Community Transformation: A Neighborhood-by-Neighborhood Look at Recent Home Repairs

We’re excited to share the progress happening across our communities! From crucial structural fixes to vital energy upgrades, we have been hard at work making homes safer, more efficient, and more beautiful.

Funding for these projects was provided by a variety of programs including:

💲Energize Pittsburgh
💲HEART emergency repair program
💲Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB)
💲Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED)
💲Corporate Sponsors and Volunteers from Brentwood Bank and FedEx.

Here is a breakdown of the recently completed home repairs, categorized by project type and grouped by neighborhood.

Clairton: 3 Homes

Exterior & Siding: Restored home exteriors by repairing and replacing missing siding, installing new house wrap and gable vents, updating back porch deck boards, and installing a new front screen door.
Plumbing & Bathroom: Upgraded bathrooms by replacing a bathtub and associated plumbing, strengthening subfloors, and installing new vinyl plank flooring with quarter round trim.
Interior & Finishes: Completed kitchen plaster work, created a custom wire storage and hanger system, patched and painted storage rooms, and cleaned and organized a storefront space.
Accessibility: Installed a new stairlift to improve daily home accessibility and mobility.

Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar: 3 Homes

Electrical & HVAC: Modernized critical home systems by upgrading service panels (including a 100 to 200-AMP upgrade with a 40-circuit breaker) and installing new ducted heat pumps alongside a furnace replacement.
Roofing & Exterior: Protected homes from the elements with a full roof replacement, porch stabilization, and the installation of new front, side, and basement entry doors.
Interior & Finishes: Refreshed interior living spaces with comprehensive flooring replacements and updated household appliances.
Windows: Replaced a total of 9 windows across the projects (including one home that received 7 new windows) to improve energy efficiency and weatherization.

That’s 6 people living in safer and healthier homes thanks to the support from our funders and volunteers!

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Rehab for Resale Update: 205 & 207 Rankin Blvd

Laura Peckyno — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 20:08:09 +0000

RTP is thrilled to share that we are almost finished with our newest Rehab for Resale (R4R) projects at 205 and 207 Rankin Blvd! We completely remodeled these homes to create safe, beautiful, and affordable housing for our community.

RTP upgraded the major systems in both houses by installing new heat pumps, furnaces, triple-pane windows, and all-new electrical wiring. To make these houses feel like true homes, we added fresh, modern touches. Inside, you will find soft-close kitchen cabinets, quartz countertops, new floors, and fully updated bathrooms.

Each house has 4 bedrooms and 1.5 baths. We will soon list them for under $100,000 for qualified buyers. Keep an eye out for the official listings!

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Staff Spotlight: Meet Evan, Director of Construction

Laura Peckyno — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:08:07 +0000

Evan’s history with Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh runs deep! He originally began working with us as a volunteer back in 2012. A Western Pennsylvania native and University of Pittsburgh alum, Evan has been involved in residential construction and project management since 2007, even operating his own small renovation company before officially joining the RTP staff in the fall of 2022. He brings both profound technical expertise and a genuine passion for our community to every project he oversees. Read on to learn a bit more about Evan in his own words!

“Why is this work important to you, Evan?”

This work is deeply interwoven with creating quality and dignity of life for the Homeowners we serve. That is important. Performing good work from a place of respect for our Homeowners and their homes is a responsibility I’m grateful to be a part of.

“Would you please share a fun fact about yourself for our readers?”

Hm… Share something fun about me? Easier said than done! I like to fix things and understand how they work. I like sympathetic restoration; the type of mending where the history and spirit of an object remains present and considered in the work. Currently I’m working on fixing up a ~120-year-old barrel butter churn! …and that is fun to me!

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Is a Tangled Title Putting Your Family’s Home at Risk?

Laura Peckyno — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 14:48:55 +0000

What is a Tangled Title?

You grew up in your house. You pay the property taxes, cover the water bill, and mow the lawn every summer. To you and your neighbors, it’s undeniably your home. But if your parent or partner passed away and the deed was never legally transferred into your name (or if a deceased partner’s name was never removed from the deed), the law sees it differently.

You’re dealing with what’s called a tangled title.

Here at Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh (RTP), we step in to make crucial home repairs so families can stay safe and warm. But tangled titles are one of the most frustrating roadblocks we hit. It’s heartbreaking to sit at a kitchen table with a family who desperately needs a new roof or a working furnace, only to have to tell them our hands are tied because their name isn’t on the deed.

How Titles Get Tangled

It usually happens quietly. A home gets passed down through the family, but the legal paperwork doesn’t follow. If a homeowner passes away without a will, or if the family never goes through probate (the legal process of transferring assets), the deed stays locked in the deceased person’s name.

This is incredibly common. In fact, Neighborhood Legal Services estimates there are around 4,000 tangled titles right now in Allegheny County alone.

The Domino Effect on Families

Taking care of a house doesn’t make you the legal owner on paper. Without that clear title, you hit a financial brick wall:

No Access to Repairs: You can’t get a home equity loan or qualify for nonprofit repair grants (including ours at RTP) to fix an emergency like a caving roof.
The Threat of Foreclosure: If you fall behind on taxes or utility bills, you can’t get on a payment plan. Those are strictly reserved for the legal owner. This puts the house at serious risk of a Sheriff’s sale.
You Can’t Sell: Even as property values rise, you can’t sell the house to access the equity your family spent decades building.
Lost Wealth: For many families, a home is their only major financial asset. A tangled title essentially erases that generational wealth.

It Hurts the Whole Neighborhood

This isn’t just an individual family crisis. When folks can’t access the funds to fix a broken pipe or a failing porch, the house deteriorates. Sometimes, families are forced to just walk away because the legal mess is too overwhelming and expensive to untangle.

Those vacant properties drag down the whole block. They lower property values for the neighbors and strip desperately needed affordable housing from our community.

Where to Find Help in Pittsburgh

Fixing a tangled title is complicated and usually requires a lawyer, which sounds expensive. But you don’t have to figure it out alone.

When we meet a homeowner in this situation, we connect them with local partners who can help clear the title so we can eventually get to work on the repairs. If you or someone you know is stuck in this situation, reach out to these organizations:

Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA): If you live in the City of Pittsburgh and meet the income guidelines (at or below 80% Area Median Income), the URA’s Housing Opportunity Fund has a Legal Assistance Program that provides up to $5,000 to help resolve tangled titles.
Neighborhood Legal Services (NLS): NLS has a specific Tangled Title Project. They work directly with low-income clients to cut through the red tape and reduce the heavy administrative costs of untangling a deed.
Catapult Greater Pittsburgh: Through their CLEAR program, Catapult offers free legal help to clear up titles. They also help families set up wills and estate plans so this doesn’t happen to the next generation.

Protecting Your Family’s Home

The absolute best way to handle a tangled title is to stop it before it starts. If you own your home, write a will. It’s the strongest shield you can give your family’s future.

If you are living in a family home right now and aren’t 100% sure whose name is on the paperwork, don’t wait for the furnace to break or a tax notice to arrive to find out. Check your property records, and call one of the organizations above if you need help protecting your family’s legacy.

Resources to Help You

We know that homeownership challenges can be complicated, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. If you need to speak with someone about your home’s title, reach out to one of the local programs in this handy guide. And please share it with others! Please feel free to reach out to us at Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh if you have any questions or need additional guidance.

Click to download the resource guide.

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Stay Cool and Safe: Navigating the Extreme Heat in Southwestern PA

Laura Peckyno — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 14:00:24 +0000

A safe and healthy home is our top priority, but when extreme heat strikes, homes without air conditioning can quickly become dangerous. The National Weather Service has issued a severe Heat Advisory for our area from Tuesday, June 30, through Friday, July 3, with heat indexes expected to reach 102 degrees.

Because overnight temperatures will remain high, homes may struggle to cool down. Please take this seriously—extreme heat can become dangerous very quickly, even for those who are young and healthy.

If your home becomes dangerously hot, please do not try to tough it out. There are places across our district where you can cool down.

Find Immediate Relief: Call 2-1-1

The fastest way to find the closest cooling center or cooling station is to dial 2-1-1 or search the United Way summer resources using your ZIP code online. Because locations and hours can change as local governments respond, always call to confirm a location is open before leaving home.

Local Cooling Centers

The following CitiParks cooling centers are scheduled to remain open from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. daily through Thursday, July 2:

Beechview Healthy Active Living Center: 1555 Broadway Ave, 15216
Greenfield Healthy Active Living Center: 745 Greenfield Ave, 15217
Homewood Healthy Active Living Center: 7321 Frankstown Ave, 15208
Sheraden Healthy Active Living Center: 720 Sherwood Ave, 15204
South Side Healthy Active Living Center: 12th and Bingham Streets, 15203

These centers are open to the everyone (not just older adults) and will hae food, drinks, and snacks available.

Allegheny County Resources

Older Adults: Call the Allegheny County Senior Line at 412-350-5460 for help finding a safe place to cool down.

Adults Experiencing Homelessness: Visit the Second Avenue Commons Engagement Center (700 Second Ave, 1st Floor, 15219) from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Phone: 412-775-9001.

Westmoreland County Resources

Select libraries are serving as cooling spaces during normal operating hours (please call ahead to confirm):

Norwin Public Library: 100 Caruthers Lane, Irwin (724-863-4700)
Penn Area Library: 2001 Municipal Court, Harrison City (724-744-4414)
Trafford Library: 416 Brinton Avenue, Trafford (412-372-5115)

Older Adults: The Jeannette Center for Active Adults (211 Gaskill Ave) may be available. Call the Area Agency on Aging at 724-830-4444.

Know the Signs of Heat Illness

Pay attention to what your body is telling you, and check on your neighbors—especially older adults, people with disabilities, and anyone living alone.

Heat Exhaustion

Signs: Heavy sweating; headache, nausea, or dizziness; weakness; muscle cramps; extreme thirst; pale/cool skin.
Action: Move to an air-conditioned area, loosen clothing, apply cool wet cloths, and sip water. Seek medical help if symptoms do not improve.

Heat Stroke (Medical Emergency)

Signs: Confusion or slurred speech; fainting; seizures; very hot skin (dry or sweating); dangerously high body temperature.
Action: Call 911 immediately. Begin cooling the person with cold water or ice while waiting for help. Do not leave them alone.

Protecting Your Home, Family, and Pets

Keep the heat out: Close blinds and curtains during the day. Avoid using your oven or large appliances.

Hydrate: Drink water regularly before you feel thirsty.

Cool down: Take a cool shower or bath. Remember that fans do not protect against heat illness in rooms hotter than 90 degrees.

Protect your pets: Keep pets indoors with AC and fresh water. Walk dogs in the early morning or late evening. If the pavement is too hot for the back of your hand, it will burn their paws. Note: If you need a cooling center, call 2-1-1 first to confirm their pet policy.

Work safely: If you work outdoors or in a hot building, take frequent shaded breaks, drink water, and use a buddy system.

Power Outages and Utility Help

If your power goes out, report it directly to your electric utility and stay at least 30 feet away from any downed lines (call 911 to report them).

Duquesne Light: 888-393-7000
West Penn Power / FirstEnergy: 888-544-4877 (or text OUT to 544487)

If you are struggling to afford the cost of keeping your home cool, contact your utility to ask about customer-assistance programs, or call the PA Public Utility Commission at 1-800-692-7380.

Please stay safe during this heatwave and be sure to check on your neighbors.

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Why Your Neighborhood Might Be Making the Heat Wave Worse

Laura Peckyno — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 14:47:12 +0000

A recent Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article highlighted a critical issue during our current summer heat waves, The exact neighborhood you live in can significantly impact your risk of heat-related illness. Since the original article is behind a paywall, we wanted to break down the core concepts and share why this matters for our community!

The “Urban Heat Island” Effect

A recent Carnegie Mellon University study found that historically redlined and low-income neighborhoods in Pittsburgh are on average 5 degrees hotter than other areas of the city. Why? These neighborhoods have a higher concentration of heat-trapping “dark surfaces” (like dark roofs, sprawling parking lots, and asphalt roads) combined with a significant lack of trees that can help cool a neighborhood.

The Cost of Cooling

This infrastructure gap creates a dangerous cycle for vulnerable populations like seniors, childlren, and those with health conditions. As summer temperatures rise and nights stay humid, residents are left without a chance to cool off. Compounding this is the reality of “energy poverty.” In some areas, low-income residents spend up to 18% of their income on energy bills, making air conditioning an unaffordable luxury even if they have the equipment.

Here at Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh, we see this challenge firsthand. RTP works to weatherize homes for older adults, disabled individuals, and low-income residents to help them trap heat in the winter and stay cool in the summer.

Temperature issues are occurring throughout the year now. We notice that the majority of homeowners we work with are in need of an AC and rarely have a functioning cooling system. –Travis Renville, RTP CEO

Looking Ahead: Sustainable Solutions

The good news is that there are actionable ways to cool down our neighborhoods. Experts and advocates are pushing for the city to invest in “smart surfaces.” Integrating things like green roofs, solar panels, porous pavements, and extensive tree planting—especially during routine street maintenance—can dramatically lower neighborhood temperatures, reduce flooding risks, and make our communities safer and more equitable for everyone.

The post Why Your Neighborhood Might Be Making the Heat Wave Worse appeared first on Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh.

Sing, Support, & Rebuild: Join Us for a Fundraising Karaoke Night!

Laura Peckyno — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 19:17:15 +0000

Warm up those vocal cords and clear your calendars!

We are thrilled to invite you to an unforgettable evening of music, community spirit, and impact. On Saturday, July 25th, we are taking over the Babylon Bar & Restaurant in Homestead for a high-energy Karaoke Night Fundraiser—and the entire community is invited!

Whether you are a seasoned performer ready to take center stage, a group looking for a fun night out, or someone who just loves to cheer on others from the crowd, this event has something for everyone. To make sure this night is as inclusive as possible for all our neighbors, the event is entirely free to attend. There are no tickets required—just bring yourself, your friends, and your enthusiasm!

Every dollar raised through our raffle activities during the evening will go directly toward funding critical, safe, and healthy home repairs for vulnerable homeowners in our local neighborhoods.

🎤 Event At-A-Glance

Date: Saturday, July 25th
Time: 8:00 PM – Midnight
Location: Babylon Bar & Restaurant | 879 Forest Ave, Homestead, PA 15120
Admission: FREE! No tickets needed.

An All-Star Lineup for a Great Cause

We are incredibly excited to announce that our soundtrack for the night will be curated by none other than Tammy Lee! A legendary, long-time Pittsburgh DJ, Tammy Lee knows exactly how to read a room, spin the best tracks, and keep the energy soaring all night long. With an extensive library of songs spanning every genre and era, she will be ready to back you up on whatever track you choose—from classic rock anthems and 90s pop favorites to modern hits and soul classics.

Sing Your Heart Out, Support Your Neighbors

While walk-in entry is completely free, we have plenty of exciting ways for you to get involved and support our mission throughout the night. Come prepared to participate in our event fundraisers:

50/50 Raffle: Take a chance to win big! One lucky winner will walk away with half of the cash collected, while the other half goes straight into our community repair fund.
Gift Basket Raffles: We are assembling a fantastic lineup of themed gift baskets packed with local goods, experiences, and items generously donated by our community partners.

Every raffle ticket purchased helps us buy essential building materials, coordinate community revitalization projects, and provide vital home modifications—like accessibility ramps, plumbing fixes, and structural repairs—for low-income families, seniors, and veterans right here in our communities.

Let’s make it a night to remember. Bring your friends, family, and coworkers out to Homestead on July 25th. Together, we can sing, support, and rebuild!

Can’t Attend but Still Want to Help?

If you have prior commitments on July 25th but still want to champion safe and healthy homes, you can make a tax-deductible contribution directly through our online donation portal. If your company or corporate group is looking to make a hands-on impact, we also welcome corporate team sponsorships to help build out our upcoming seasonal repair projects.

For more information about the event, or to learn how you can support our mission, please visit our contact page or follow us on social media for live updates leading up to the big night. See you at Babylon Bar & Restaurant!

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Swing into Action at TopGolf FORE Safe & Healthy Homes

Laura Peckyno — Thu, 14 May 2026 14:53:14 +0000

Are You Ready to Tee Off for a Purpose?

We are thrilled to announce that tickets are officially on sale for our annual event, TopGolf FORE Safe & Healthy Homes, Presented by Duquesne Light! This isn’t just a golf outing; it’s an evening dedicated to building a safer, stronger Pittsburgh, one swing at a time. On October 1st, join Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh (RTP) for a night of friendly competition, high-energy fun, and community impact. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or have never picked up a club in your life, TopGolf’s inclusive atmosphere ensures everyone has a blast while supporting a critical cause.

Event Information

Date: Thursday, October 1, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM ET
Location: TopGolf Bridgeville
400 Presto-Sygan Road, Bridgeville, PA 15017

Why Your Participation Matters

At RTP, we believe that safe and stable housing is the foundation of a thriving community. Unfortunately, many low- to moderate-income homeowners in our region face daunting challenges. From urgent roof repairs to accessibility modifications and hazardous living conditions, these issues are often the result of decades of systemic inequities and disinvestment. This is where you come in. Every ticket sold and every point scored helps us provide zero-cost home repairs to the families who need them most. Your support helps elderly residents age in place safely, assists families in building generational wealth, and revitalizes the very fabric of our neighborhoods.

What to Expect

Your ticket is your all-access pass to an unforgettable evening:

TopGolf Play: Three hours of play in reserved bays.
Dinner & Drinks: A delicious spread of food and refreshing beverages.
Prizes & More: Opportunities to win exciting items while networking with fellow community-minded leaders and neighbors

Thank You to our Generous Sponsors!

We are incredibly grateful to our event sponsors, who help to make this event both special and impactful!

Interested in Sponsoring this Event?

If you or your business would like to discuss sonsorship opportunities for this event, please reach out! We have many levels of support available to help you advertise your business. Details about sponsorships can be found in our new Sponsorship Packet, or simply contact us at lpeckyno@rtpittsburgh.org to learn more.

Tickets are on sale now!

Don’t wait—bays fill up fast. Secure your spot today and help us swing into action for Pittsburgh families.

Buy Tickets

The post Swing into Action at TopGolf FORE Safe & Healthy Homes appeared first on Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh.

Just Completed Home Repairs – Spring Edition

Laura Peckyno — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 17:10:27 +0000

Community Transformation: A Neighborhood-by-Neighborhood Look at Recent Home Repairs

Funding for these projects was provided by a variety of programs including:

💲Energize Pittsburgh
💲HEART emergency repair program
💲Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB)
💲Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED)
💲Urban Redevelopment Authority Lower Hill Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance program (URA LERTA)
💲Corporate Sponsors and Volunteers from Brentwood Bank and FedEx.

Here is a breakdown of the recently completed home repairs, categorized by project type and grouped by neighborhood.

Beltzhoover: 1 Home

HVAC & Electrical: Installed a new heat pump with updated piping, a thermostat, and a ceiling fan
Windows: Replaced a damaged window

Chartiers: 1 Home

HVAC & Plumbing: Upgraded a home with a heat pump, a water heater, and a sump pump to address a sewer lateral issue.
Interior & Finishes: Completed extensive interior work, including patching and painting the basement hallway, scraping and painting the bedroom ceiling, replacing drywall in the sunroom and living room, sorting and decluttering, removing chipped living room tile, and installing new plank flooring with trim in the kitchen and bathroom. Also installed a new bathroom shower rod and curtain.
Exterior & Structural: Volunteers scraped and painted the front porch, power-washed the front porch awning, and installed two handrails on split-level landings for safety.

Clairton: 4 Homes

Plumbing & Bathroom: Remodeled bathrooms, which included multiple tub-to-shower conversions, bathroom floor repairs, and subfloor replacements.
Roofing & Exterior: Protected homes from the elements with full roof replacements, roof repairs, new vinyl siding, and repairs to soffits and fascia.
Interior & Finishes: Repaired basement leaks and updated interior flooring and walls. Kitchens also received needed repairs.
Windows & Accessibility: Replaced windows (including one project with 7 new windows) and installed a new stairlift for improved accessibility.

Crafton Heights: 1 Home

Plumbing: Replaced a water heater.
Exterior & Structural: Built a new retaining wall, fence, and a deck.
Windows: Installed brand new windows.

East Hills: 4 Homes

Electrical: Modernized power systems by upgrading 100 AMP services to new 200 AMP panels, replacing service drops, and installing solar panels. Added smoke/CO detectors and replaced multiple interior and exterior light fixtures, including garage, front driveway, and front porch lights.
HVAC & Plumbing: Installed a new outdoor heat pump unit with a thermostat, completely renovated a bathroom with new plumbing and fixtures, and inspected and snaked a sewer line.
Windows & Doors: Improved insulation and security by replacing over 22 windows (including 8 white vinyl double-hung units with proper trimming and caulking) and window wells. Replaced 8 interior/exterior doors, added a storm door, a screen door, and installed a fire-rated basement door and deadbolt.
Interior & Finishes: Repaired or replaced flooring and baseboards across living rooms, dining rooms, hallways, bathrooms, and kitchens. Installed new kitchen cabinet hardware, a bathroom vanity, a dining room pantry, and dry-locked basement block walls.
Exterior & Structural: Replaced roofs, gutters, downspouts, and fascia. Repaired exterior walls, painted the back porch, demolished and replaced driveway retaining walls and steps with a French drain, and safely removed three trees.

Hazelwood: 1 Home

Electrical: Converted two service lines to a single line with a new panel, added new circuits, and installed GFCI outlets.
Appliances: Modernized homes with a new induction range and a heat pump dryer.
Windows: Installed a new glass block window.

Hill District: 1 Home

Accessibility & Structural: Replaced the front stairs and handrail, installed a designated electrical outlet, and fabricated and installed a curved stairlift.
Doors: Installed a new front storm door.

Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar: 5 Homes

Electrical & HVAC: Significantly upgraded power capacity with new 150 AMP and 200 AMP electrical panels, new service lines, circuits, and GFCI outlets. Installed new furnaces, outdoor heat pumps with thermostats, and various light fixtures and ceiling fans.
Plumbing & Bathroom: Replaced hot water heaters (with expansion tanks) and added a main shut-off valve to water meters. Completed large-scale bathroom renovations, including framing walk-in showers with tile surrounds, new fixtures, and subfloor/flooring.
Interior & Structural: Completed major interior overhauls, such as structural basement reinforcements (new posts and beams), moving and framing a new kitchen layout, and installing new cabinets, countertops, flooring, and appliances (refrigerator, microwave, induction stove). Demolished old paneling and plaster to install, prime, and paint new drywall and vinyl plank flooring.
Roofing & Exterior: Addressed structural vulnerabilities by replacing roofs, soffits, fascia, gutters, and downspouts. Repaired chimney flashing and caps, replaced missing siding, demolished and poured new concrete walkways and front steps to code, and installed handrails. Further improved exteriors by parging foundations, removing vines/trees, and repairing cracks in front porches.
Windows & Doors: Installed glass block windows, standard windows, storm doors, and reattached doors.

Manchester: 1 Home

Roofing & Exterior: Deck removal, re-siding at rear of home
Electrical: Electrical safety upgrades

Marshall-Shadeland: 2 Homes

Roofing & Exterior: Completed extensive exterior overhauls including roof repair/replacement, replaced fascia, chimney flashing, chimney caps, vinyl siding, gutters, and downspouts. Also replaced a metal awning and porch railings.
HVAC & Appliances: Upgraded efficiency by installing an outdoor heat pump unit with a thermostat and a heat pump dryer with a new service line.
Windows: Replaced 9 windows.

McKeesport: 2 Homes

Roofing & Exterior: Executed a full roof replacement, resurfaced a porch, installed a porch railing, and poured a concrete walkway with handrails.
Doors: Improved safety and access by replacing an exterior door, a storm door, and installing a Bilco door.
Structural: Removed and safely rebuilt unsafe basement steps.

That’s 23 people living in safer and healthier homes thanks to the support from our funders and volunteers!

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The Power of Consensus: A Conversation with Diane Daniels

Laura Peckyno — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 19:59:32 +0000

When you think of a “neighborhood group,” you might think of advocacy or action. But in the East Hills of Pittsburgh, they chose a different word: Consensus.

In the second episode of our Neighbor to Neighbor podcast, we had the privilege of interviewing Diane Daniels, the Executive Director of the East Hills Consensus Group. Diane isn’t just a leader; she’s a storyteller, a former journalist, and a fierce advocate for a community she describes as “an urban community with a rural feel.”

More Than Just Repairs

At Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh, our mission is to ensure our neighbors are safe and healthy in their homes. But as Diane points out in our conversation, a house is only as stable as the community around it.

We discussed the critical intersection of:

Senior Stability: Helping long-time residents—some who have been in their homes since the 1970s—age with dignity and pass their legacy to the next generation.
Quality of Life: Why Diane prefers the word “quality” over “affordable” when it comes to the standard of housing every Pittsburgher deserves.
The Power of Partnership: How the Consensus Group acts as a “voice of voices,” bringing together smaller organizations to speak loudly to city officials and funders.

“We are a conglomeration of different groups… if you have a group in East Hills, you should be a part of the consensus group because we all have to work together.” — Diane Daniels

Looking to 2026

One of the most inspiring parts of our chat was Diane’s vision for the future. She isn’t just looking at the houses; she’s looking at the 80 vacant lots in the community. Her goal for 2026 is to transform these spaces through clean up and redevelopment, revitalizing the neighborhood’s physical footprint.

From the beautiful “Sankofa Bird” art installation at Dornbush and Bricelyn to the millions of gallons of water managed by new rain gardens, the East Hills is a neighborhood on the move—and it’s doing so by remembering its past while building its future.

Listen Now

How to Get Involved

Diane is always looking for “gifts and talents.” Whether you’re a resident who can help with social media or a supporter looking to fund new initiatives, the East Hills Consensus Group wants to hear from you.

Meetings: Third Thursday of the month at Petra Ministries (6:00 PM).
Email: EastHillsConsensusGroup@gmail.com
Follow: East Hills Consensus Group on Facebook

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