Demolition Begins on Berg Place to Make Way for Affordable Housing

“We want our residents to have pride in their neighborhoods but residents here in Carrick have had to deal with this blighted property for too many years,” said Mayor O’Connor. “We are glad that we are finally taking down this property and replacing it with 52 new homes for our local seniors. I’d like to thank Councilman Coghill, the URA, CHN Housing Partners, Amani Christian CDC, Senator Costa, Representative Benham, the Housing Authority and all of our partners who have worked on this over the years who are helping to bring new vibrancy to this community.”  

Built between 1925 and 1935, Berg Place has been unoccupied since April of 2014, when it was condemned and vacated due to several health and safety violations for unsafe conditions including rotting decks, missing smoke detectors, sewage leaks, crumbling bricks and no water supply in many of the rental units. Since the condemnation, the property has been a constant concern for nearby neighbors because of its continued deterioration, including several fires on the property throughout the years.  

"I’m grateful to see this project finally moving forward as I’ve been working since day one to see development at this site,” said Councilman Coghill. “This project will provide much needed senior housing for the Carrick community and it is one example of how I’ve worked to invest in Carrick.” 

The URA acquired a first lien mortgage position on the property and the City put the property up for Treasurer’s Sale in April of 2016, which was delayed by the property’s former owner. The URA successfully acquired Berg Place through Sheriff’s sale in September of 2022.  

"Berg Place and the community here in Carrick have faced years of difficulty because of this blighted property,” said URA Executive Director Susheela Nemani-Stanger. “Today is the start of a new chapter. We know that the demolition will make for a better neighborhood, and we’re looking forward to the construction of 52 new units of housing that will help seniors age in place. Together, we're ensuring Carrick thrives for years to come." 

In 2023, the URA partnered with CHN Housing Partners, a nonprofit affordable developer that has specialized in affordable housing for 45 years, to redevelop the property for local seniors.  

"We are excited to celebrate the first step in the construction of Carrick Senior Apartments today - the demolition of the old Berg Place Apartments," said Kevin Nowak, president and CEO of CHN Housing Partners. "Thank you to Mayor O'Connor, the City of Pittsburgh, the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh, Councilman Coghill, Councilman Charland, the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and our development partner, Amani Christian Development Corporation for their support of affordable housing and Carrick Senior Apartments specifically. We look forward to working with all partners to close project financing and start a new era of quality, affordable housing on this site." 

Following the full demolition, CHN Housing Partners, together with Amani Christian Community Development Corporation, plans to bring 52 units of affordable senior housing to the site, with 47 one-bedroom units and five 2-bedroom units. The project has received a 9% LIHTC award, $2.45 million from the URA’s Rental Gap Program and project-based voucher support and a loan from the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh. Additional funding will come from Grow America, First National Bank, Bridgeway Capital, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Allegheny County. 

“I am always proud to support initiatives that deliver safe, affordable housing to Older Pennsylvanians in our neighborhoods,” said State Senator Jay Costa. “The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus is keenly focused on delivering dignified housing for seniors so that they can age with stability, support, and community. I look forward to seeing this project get underway and supporting a vibrant living space for our elders in Carrick.” 

“The demolition of the former Berg Place apartments marks an exciting new chapter for the Carrick neighborhood, which has been waiting a long time for this kind of investment,” said State Representative Jess Benham. “The Carrick Senior Apartments project will create new opportunities for seniors to live in safe, quality, affordable housing while helping to revitalize the surrounding community. Projects like this take strong partnerships and a shared commitment to making our neighborhoods stronger. I’m grateful to the URA, the City of Pittsburgh, the development team at Amani and CHN, and Senator Costa for their partnership in bringing this long-awaited project closer to reality, as well as for the critical state funding totaling around $2.3 million helping make it possible. We’re making way for a brighter future for Carrick.”  

Demolition is being coordinated by the City of Pittsburgh Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections with Deller Professional Services. The full demolition is expected to be completed within the next few weeks.