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Get the most interesting and important stories from the ϳԹ of ϳԹ.ϳԹ’s Oakland neighborhood will be the new home for a 48-unit affordable housing complex near the corner of Forbes and Craft avenues tailored for LGBTQ+ seniors.
Neighborhood residents and community organizations gathered at Pitt to celebrate the groundbreaking for Mosaic Apartments on May 23 at the future location of the building, followed by a celebratory reception at the ϳԹ Club on the ϳԹ of ϳԹ campus.
Located at the western entrance toOakland’sbusiness district, Mosaic Apartments will provide residents easy access to the vibrant university neighborhood, museums and world-class medical facilities.Crucial land donations, which were facilitated and finalized through Pitt’s , from UPMC, Pitt and Dialysis Clinic Inc. were instrumental in making the project possible.
Pitt has been a long-standing partner, investor and collaborator to housing affordability initiatives in Oakland, said Lina Dostilio, vice chancellor of engagement and community affairs.The neighborhood’suniqueness, particularly its diverse population of students and non-student, long-term residents, make it an excellent home for the Mosaic Apartments, she said.
“Pitt is so proud that Oakland is our home,”Dostilio said.“Oakland isan incredibly strongcommunity. It is one of the most welcoming and diverse communities inthe city ofϳԹ. We are so glad to be part of thisand for making it possible for us to live strongly in our role and mission as an anchor and engaged institution.”
At the event, development partners Presbyterian SeniorCare Network and Affirmative Investments also revealed the name of the facility,Mosaic, which was chosenthrough a contest that received nearly 140 community suggestions. It was originally named “Oakland Pride.”
Presbyterian SeniorCareNetwork President and CEO Jim Pieffersaid the company is leading theprojectwith a strong emphasis on inclusivity and community support. The complexaims to addressthe unique needs of LGBTQ+ adults aged 62 and older, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
“Our network has a decades-long history of awareness and support for person-centered care and services for seniors,”said Pieffer.“It will be an honor to serve this special population of older adults who havebeen deeply discriminatedagainst over the years.”
This initiative, a first for Western Pennsylvania, is scheduled to open in fall 2025 and will feature 42 one-bedroom and six two-bedroom apartments. Rent willbe basedon income, with current income limits set at $64,800 for 2024. Among the apartments’ amenities are on-site parking, pet-friendly policies, a dog wash station, 24-hour emergency maintenance and a community room.
More than $28 million hasbeen raisedfor this initiative, supported by ninemajorfunding sources, including $4 million in low-income housing tax credits from the commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the PA Housing Finance Agency.
As part of the land donation, UPMC and Pitt created no-rent, 75-year land leases. This allowed for development to move forward with institutional support, ensuring the project's long-term affordability. Presbyterian SeniorCare Network has committed to preserving this affordability for 40 years.
Applications for residency will be available in March 2025. Interested individuals can learn more and join the inquiry list by visiting .
Photography by Aimee Obidzinski
A community-engaged anchor institution
The Anchor Initiatives are a suite of strategies developed to leverage the ϳԹ’s role as an economic anchor to Southwestern Pennsylvania.An integral component to the, the Anchor Initiatives amplify Pitt’s regional impact in the areas of buying, building and hiring locally; community engagement and partnerships; placemaking; and workforce development.