Published on October 15, 2025
I’m deeply disappointed by the adoption of Councilperson Erika Strassburger’s amendment to the Inclusionary Zoning Plan that fundamentally changes the legislation initially recommended by the Planning Commission. The Strassburger amendment radically expands public subsidy to private developers, while including loopholes that allow them to walk away from actually providing affordable housing.
I want to thank Council for their decision to send the amended legislation back to the Planning Commission. This respects the legal process for adopting zoning changes and allows the public time to digest what is actually being proposed.
Compromise is often difficult to find, but we cannot sacrifice meaningful progress on housing justice and inclusive growth for the sake of claiming a hollow victory. Rather than prioritizing polices that uplift working families struggling to find housing they can afford, the Strassburger amendment caters to entrenched private interests and developers, setting back years of people-centered progress.
My administration negotiated in good faith with Councilperson Strassburger for months and made meaningful progress on a compromise bill that many could support. Unfortunately, Councilperson Strassburger instead chose to distort our compromise at the eleventh hour in a way that no longer serves the needs of our communities, while maintaining the appearance of a program that does.
I remain unwavering in my commitment to a data-informed, pro-housing and pro-tenant approach to Inclusionary Zoning. If there is going to be compromise, that is the kind of compromise that our people deserve. ~Mayor Ed Gainey
Olga George Press Secretary Office of the Mayor olga.george@pittsburghpa.gov 412-627-0679